Life in Finance: Kalam’s Placement with Rossborough

At Rossborough, we’re proud to support initiatives like Jersey Finance Life in Finance, a scheme run by Jersey Finance that introduces students to the world of financial services and provides valuable workplace experience. This year, we were delighted to welcome Kalam, who joined our team for a two-week placement to gain insight into the insurance industry.

We caught up with him to hear more about his experience and what he learned along the way.

Q&A with Kalam

What’s something you learned that you didn’t expect?
Quite a few things surprised me, especially learning that the team uses two different insurance software systems, Acturis and CDL for quoting, renewals, billing, and customer service. I have trained on both and now understand their differences and why each is used for specific lines of business.

Has this placement changed how you see the insurance industry?
Yes and no. I didn’t appreciate what insurance brokers were before starting my placement, but in just two weeks, I now have a true understanding of their importance and the value they add. I recognise their essential role in working with a client and the insurer, and that effective communication between both is key to maintaining a good relationship and securing a solution.

What surprised you the most about the types of things that need insurance?
I have really enjoyed learning about the collections that both people and businesses insure, particularly large art collections.

What did you notice about how people work together here?
The team at Rossborough work well together and play to each other’s strengths. It is a very friendly working environment, where everyone is happy to help and is supportive. I also observed that everyone here is very efficient and takes pride in what they do.

Has this experience made you more or less interested in a job like this?
I would definitely like to explore a career in insurance, as there is so much more to it than meets the eye. I especially enjoy the variety – no two days are the same – and I am constantly learning. There is clearly a very high level of experience and expertise in broking throughout the company. I also value the high level of client interaction; particularly in personal lines where each client’s needs differ and as such effective communication is essential.

Supporting the Next Generation

It was a pleasure having Kalam with us as part of the Life in Finance programme. His enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to get stuck in gave him a real insight into what it means to work in insurance and reminded us of the importance of investing in future talent.

We wish Kalam the very best for the future and look forward to seeing where his career takes him.