Navigating a Challenging Insurance Hiring Landscape
Hiring top talent in the insurance industry can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. The sector faces well-documented talent shortages – the workforce is ageing, and many firms struggle to attract newcomers. In the UK insurance world right now, companies are struggling to find the right people for critical roles; whether underwriters, brokers, claims experts or compliance officers, there just aren’t enough skilled professionals to go around. This client success story illustrates how insurance recruiting specialists can bridge that gap. Here, we share how Get Recruited leveraged its expertise to match a talented candidate with an insurance brokerage, turning a hiring challenge into a success.
The Challenge: An Insurance Broker’s Talent Gap
Our client, a growing insurance brokerage firm in the UK, had an urgent need for a seasoned Commercial Account Executive. The company was expanding its book of business, but a key team member’s departure left a gap that threatened client service continuity. The hiring manager struggled to find candidates with the right mix of technical insurance knowledge, sales ability, and cultural fit.
Traditional hiring methods weren’t getting results.
This is a common scenario in insurance recruitment: niche roles often demand very specific experience (for example, understanding underwriting guidelines or Lloyd’s market compliance) that many applicants simply don’t possess. Faced with a tight talent market and the clock ticking, the brokerage turned to Get Recruited for a solution.
Understanding the Brief: In an initial consultation, our team sat down with the client to grasp the full scope of the role. We discussed technical requirements (such as knowledge of commercial property and liability policies) and soft skills like client relationship management.
It became clear that the ideal candidate needed to hit the ground running. This wasn’t just about finding the right candidate who could excel from day one - the pressure was on, and we were determined to deliver.
Our Approach as Insurance Recruiting Specialists
As specialist insurance recruitment consultants, Get Recruited knew a standard recruitment approach wouldn’t suffice. We formulated a targeted strategy drawing on our industry-specific expertise:
Tapping Into Our Network: Instead of relying solely on LinkedIn or job ads, we leveraged our extensive talent network built over years in underwriting recruitment and broking placements. (Notably, over 90% of our candidates come through referrals, which is a testimony to our deep connections in the insurance community.) We identified several passive candidates (high performers not actively on the job market) who matched the profile. This ability to reach beyond the usual channels is a key advantage of using specialist recruiters.
Industry Expertise in Screening: Our recruitment team has over three decades of combined experience in insurance hiring, so we know what good looks like. A dedicated consultant pre-screened each candidate with in-depth technical questions. We verified certifications (one candidate held the ACII qualification, aligning perfectly with the client’s expectations) and evaluated relevant experience in broking and underwriting. Because our team speaks the industry’s language, we could efficiently vet candidates’ knowledge of policy wordings, market regulations, and sales track records.
Personalised, Consultative Process: We maintained close communication with the client at every step. Rather than just forwarding CVs, we provided context for each recommended candidate: why they’re a fit, their career ambitions, and how their personality would complement the company’s culture. This consultative approach reflects our philosophy that recruitment is a partnership, not a sales transaction. (It’s worth noting that all our consultants have significant industry knowledge and career experience, often having worked within the insurance sector themselves, so our clients are in safe hands.)
Within one week, we had a shortlist of three excellent candidates ready for the client. Each candidate was actively interested (having been approached discreetly through our network) and met the key criteria. It was already clear that our specialist approach was adding value, and the client remarked that these candidates were “miles ahead” of those they’d seen from generalist recruiters.
The Outcome: A Successful Placement and Satisfied Client
Our client moved quickly to interview the shortlisted candidates. In fact, they were spoiled for choice. One candidate, in particular, stood out: a Senior Account Executive with 8 years’ experience at a larger brokerage and an impressive track record of client retention and new business wins. By the second interview round, the brokerage knew they had found their ideal hire. We’re proud to say we filled the position in just 14 days, aligning with Get Recruited’s average vacancy fill time of about two weeks.
The impact on the client’s business was immediate. The new hire seamlessly took over the open portfolio of clients and even brought fresh ideas for targeting new markets. Three months in, the client reported that this Account Executive had already generated significant new revenue and improved their team’s morale. The Hiring Manager was thrilled: not only had we found someone who met all the requirements, but the hire’s quick success boosted confidence across the firm. “It felt like gaining a partner who truly understands our industry, not just filling a role,” the client told us when reflecting on the process.
Beyond the successful hire, the client appreciated the smooth experience. By entrusting the search to insurance recruiters, our careful candidate matching meant no time wasted on unsuitable interviews, and every person they met could have been a hire.
Why Partner with Specialist Insurance Recruitment Consultants?
This success story highlights why working with a specialist agency like Get Recruited makes all the difference in a competitive talent market. Our focus, process, and track record provide trust signals that you’re in expert hands:
Deep Industry Experience: Get Recruited’s insurance recruitment team has decades of experience and a deep understanding of the insurance market. We’re not newcomers; we know the nuances of broking, underwriting, claims, and more, and how to recruit for them effectively.
Proven Track Record: We’re proud to be a multi-award-winning recruitment consultancy. In fact, we were named Best Recruitment Company at the 2023 Talk of Manchester Awards, and we’ve placed over 8,000+ insurance professionals into roles ranging from junior handlers to executive directors. Our clients benefit from this broad success every time they engage us.
Fast & Reliable Results: Speed matters when a role is vacant. Thanks to our refined processes, we consistently achieve an average fill time of just 14 days for insurance roles. And we don’t sacrifice quality – our client satisfaction rate stands at an outstanding 98%, reflecting long-term happiness with the hires we’ve facilitated.
Nationwide (and Beyond) Coverage: As insurance recruiters in the UK, we have a nationwide reach with offices and talent pools covering major hubs like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and beyond. Whether you need underwriting recruitment in the London market or claims specialists in regional offices, we have the reach and local insight to deliver. (We even source internationally for niche roles when needed, through our extended network.)
Consultative, People-First Approach: Our case study above illustrates our philosophy: we act as consultants and partners. We guide clients through market insights, advise on realistic candidate availability and salary expectations, and even suggest retention strategies. This human-centric approach is why so many of our placements turn into long-term success stories. We’re insurance recruitment consultants who care about the outcome, not just the placement fee.
By aligning our services with the specific needs of insurance firms, we build trust and credibility. It’s no surprise that industry leaders often emphasise the importance of working with recruitment partners who truly understand the sector, and that’s exactly what we offer.
Ready to Find the Right Insurance Talent?
Hiring in today’s insurance market is challenging, but as this client success story shows, the right partner makes all the difference. If you’re a hiring manager in the insurance sector looking to fill a role, whether it’s a Broker, Underwriter, Claims Manager, or any specialist position, we’re here to help.
Get in touch with our team of insurance recruiting specialists to discuss your needs.
Let us handle the hard work of recruitment while you focus on what you do best: running and growing your insurance business. We’ve done it for clients across the UK, and we can do it for you: delivering the right candidate, right when you need them.