Credit Risk Solutions Insurance Graduate Programme in London

Who are we? Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 24,000 employees spanning over 56 countries. People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving.

Howden CAP and Credit Risk Solutions Team: Howden CAP (Capital, Advisory and Placement) advises banks, large corporate firms and investment funds on how insurance can facilitate transactions such as investments, loans and acquisitions. Within CAP, is our Credit Risk Solutions team who offer a specialty insurance product for large financial institutions (large well-known global banks). Credit solutions insurance protects banks if a borrower fails to repay a loan. By reducing this risk, banks can lend more with confidence and do not need to hold as much capital against each loan. We work across many different loans including aviation finance, renewable loans and trade finance.

The Graduate Programme: You will be joining a vibrant and tight-knit team who serve a diverse global client base. We are looking for soon-to-be or recent graduates from STEM, Finance and Legal backgrounds and have a keen interest in geopolitical finance. This programme is designed to give you early exposure to real client work, supported by structured training and hands-on learning from experienced professionals.

What you’ll be doing:

• Support with drafting contractual documentation for risk transfer between banks and insurers.
• Assist with taking accurate meeting notes and updating client files.
• Learn the full end-to-end transaction lifecycle, including understanding our policy framework which outlines the loan being insured.
• Researching and vetting underlying borrowers, reviewing contracts and looking into their credit profiles and financial health.
• Support with managing the policy once secured, such as handling amendments.
• Gain exposure early on to clients and insurers, learning how our experts advise and negotiate the best deals for our clients.
• Play an active role in business origination by supporting with client proposals.

What are we looking for?

• Soon-to-be or recent STEM, Law or Finance graduates who have an interest in geopolitical finance.
• A keen eye for detail and strong analytical skills.
• Strong mathematical skills and comfortable dealing with large sums of money.
• Individuals with strong interpersonal skills who thrive on connecting and building relationships with others.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and comfortable speaking with senior individuals.
• Resilient and hard-working graduates who thrive on working under pressure.
• Curious individuals who are keen to learn quickly and apply technical concepts.
• Ability to analyse data using Excel.
• You must have full unrestricted right to work in the UK.

Why should you apply?

• Opportunity to complete fully funded professional and technical qualifications relevant for your role and career.
• Discounted personal health policies as well as a range of insurance products.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and an extra day off for Christmas.
• Competitive salary and generous pension scheme.
• Excellent training and development schemes and accelerated career progression.
• Cycle to work loan scheme and discount on gym memberships.
• 2 days allocated to take part in volunteering schemes.

Application process: Our application process is designed to help you show your potential, not to test what you already know!

• Online application form – no CV required: We believe you're more than just a document, so we won’t ask you to submit a CV. Please upload a blank document on the application form.
• Online gamified assessment: These games will help us understand your natural strengths and how you approach different situations. There are no right or wrong answers. You can complete this stage on your phone or laptop, whichever suits you best!
• Pre-recorded video interview: You will record your answers to a few questions using your phone or laptop, giving you the chance to tell us more about yourself in your own time in a relaxed setting.
• Assessment centre: Our final stage is an in-person assessment day at one of our offices close to you. You'll take part in some fun group activities and meet our team in a relaxed setting. This day is all about getting to know you better and for you to see what it's like to be part of Howden and experience our culture. We'll cover all your travel costs for this day!

At Howden, we are committed to developing and maintaining a culture of equality and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

What do we offer in return? A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity – there is no one Howden type. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us:

• Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new.
• We support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges.
• We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond.

Reasonable adjustments: We're committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs. Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours or hybrid working. If you're excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it’s the right fit for you, send us your application – if your profile fits the role’s criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require. Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.