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Actuarial, pricing & data science recruitment specialists
Sellick Partnership is a market-leading actuarial recruitment specialist focused on offering a complete recruitment service to actuary professionals on a permanent, contract and interim basis. Our specialist areas include:
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At Sellick Partnership, we pride ourselves on the wealth of experience that our talented Actuarial Recruitment Consultants have and their ability to recruit at all levels across the actuarial sector. From FTSE 100 insurers, actuarial consultancies, to some of the UK’s most well-known mutual insurers, we work with a range of organisations nationwide and excel at delivering a tailored service to both clients and candidates. Actuarial jobs we regularly recruit for include:
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For our clients, we tailor our approach to recruitment based on the needs of your business, taking the time to get to know you, your business and your requirements, ensuring we provide exceptional recruitment services each and every time. We are always available to help with every stage of your recruitment process, from interview management and writing job descriptions to testing actuarial candidates and offer negotiations.
We also work in genuine partnership with each of our candidates, listening to their needs and matching their skills and experience to the most suitable actuarial roles. We support all candidates we work with, offering advice and assistance at every stage of the recruitment process to ensure they are fully informed at every step of the way.
So whether you are client looking for an experienced actuary to join your business, or a candidate looking for a new actuary job, we can provide the right opportunities to help you make the right connections. Speak with one of our dedicated Actuarial Recruitment Consultants today to find out more.
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Latest actuarial & data science jobs
meet our people
Actuarial consultants
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Austin Brislen
Manager
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Rachel Smith
Office Manager/Senior Resourcing Consultant
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Charlie Christian
Consultant
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Matthew Jellicoe
Resourcing Consultant
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Meet the Team
THE LATEST
Actuarial insights
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FCA pricing practices report – what it could mean for Insurers and pricing talent
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently published an interim report on its market study into the pricing of home and motor insurance. The final report – which is expected in Q1 2020 – looked at the current pricing practices of insurers and what needs to be done to make pricing fairer for all consumers. Actuarial & Pricing recruitment specialist Austin Brislen recently sat down with pricing expert Steven Ward to discuss the new interim report. Steven has worked in General Insurance for over 25 years and shared his thoughts on what this could mean for the industry, consumers and job market. Unfair pricing for a large number of consumers The Interim FCA report has identified pricing practices, widely used across the market, which they consider to be detrimental to loyal customers. Insurers often sell policies at a discount to attract new customers and increase premiums when customers renew, targeting increases at those less likely to switch. Firms also engage in a range of practices that could make it more difficult for customers to make informed decisions and could raise barriers to switching. This means that customers who switch or negotiate their premium can get a good deal, but those that fail to shop around, or are unable to do so are often out of pocket through higher prices at renewal. The FCA regard the practice of ‘price walking’, where insurers increase their margin and thus the renewal price year on year, as unfair, particularly where it targets loyal and/or vulnerable customers. The FCA is also looking to regulate the barriers consumers often face when switching at renewal, such as the use of auto-renewal. Historic pricing practices The car and home insurance markets are very competitive for new business, with price comparison sites in particular focusing on the lowest prices offered. This encourages insurers to offer discounts to attract new customers. The new business will often be sold with a small or negative margin, giving customers very good deals. Prices are increased at renewal as a result of removing the new business discount and to achieve a sustainable pricing level. Typically, new business discounts are funded from the margin insurers make on renewals, giving an acceptable return across the whole portfolio. However, the margins insurers apply at renewal are not the same for all customers. The process of optimisation sets renewal prices to maximise growth or profitability, taking into account customer characteristics that identify how likely they are to renew at different price levels. Customers who are more price sensitive are likely to pay less, while those who are less price sensitive are likely to pay more. It is this practice that can penalise loyal customers if appropriate rules are not applied. The need for insurers to price fairly and differentiate themselves In these circumstances, customers that are able to switch insurance providers regularly will benefit at the expense of customers who stay with their insurer for a number of years for whatever reason, be that an inability to shop around or loyalty. The FCA is considering a number of options to address these unfair practices. This is likely to reduce or remove price discrimination at renewal based on a customers’ likelihood to renew. It may also result in a narrowing of the differentials between new business and renewal pricing to address the concerns regarding ‘price walking’. As Steven explained: “The main changes the report is likely to bring about will be to stop companies applying higher margins to loyal customers at renewal and using them to subsidise more price sensitive customers. We may also see higher new business prices if companies are restricted in the price increases that can be applied at subsequent renewals.” Given that we may see a harmonisation of new business and renewal rates at some point in the future, companies that rely on offering substantial discounts to attract new customers will have to review their pricing strategy, and look at other ways they can differentiate themselves from their competitors. But what can insurance firms do to differentiate themselves? This is a hard question to answer. In essence, most companies offer similar products, and it can be very hard to stand out, however there are a number of ways that this could be achieved. Firstly, greater transparency could be an excellent way of winning trust amongst consumers. Some companies are already starting to offer multi-year fixed price deals or renewal price guarantees to reward loyal customers. We may see more of these type of propositions coming to the market. Increased governance and a need for knowledge One thing that is certain as a result of the market study is that insurance firms of all shapes and sizes will need to put greater emphasis on pricing governance and fair treatment of customers. This is not a new requirement, but the FCA feels it has not had the attention that it should have had. Steven expects that the FCA will be looking for greater transparency of customer outcomes and companies will be expected to evidence that they are treating all customers fairly. This may call for more talent in this space to help insurers navigate the new regulations. Steven explained. “Candidates that have a good understanding of the regulatory framework will be increasingly important as pricing professionals will be required to explain how their proposals satisfy the new requirements. I advise any pricing professionals currently looking for new opportunities in the market to up-skill on the market study and new regulations to ensure they have a good working understanding of what constitutes fair pricing.” The need for talent with a broad range of skills In terms of talent demands within the insurance sector as a whole, I believe it will largely be business as usual, with a possible increased need for candidates with experience or knowledge in governance. One change I do foresee happening however is a much greater push towards candidates with a multidisciplinary skillset, i.e. pricing and data science are becoming a lot more closely aligned, and Steven agrees. “Insurers are already looking to make greater use of data science skills within pricing and this will continue to be the case. Any FCA remedies are likely to refine existing practices, rather than making wholesale changes.” From a pricing perspective it will be a case of evolution rather than revolution. Companies are already reviewing their pricing practices and making changes where required to come in-line with FCA expectations, so I think these changes will be somewhat organic and bedded in during 2020. What does the future hold? It is still a little unclear what the final report will say, so it is hard to predict what the future looks like. What we do know is that the FCA has not been prescriptive in how insurers should behave, which gives some room for interpretation. When asked about what will happen after the report is released, Steven said: “Some insurers will be more in-line with the FCA's requirements than others, although I expect they will all have room for improvement in different areas. However I do believe that discounts will continue to be offered to attract new customers, and those discounts may be subsidised by existing customers to some extent, but I expect existing customers to get a fairer deal at renewal.” The element of competition within the General Insurance market in my opinion is essential, and if we regulate the sector too much, we could see some of the innovation that the market has produced start to be stifled. I therefore hope that the FCA remedies help to protect consumers who need protecting, without removing the element of competition. I also think that a greater awareness of the need for consumers to shop around on a regular basis would help ensure they are getting a good deal. Can we help? What do you think the new FCA regulations will mean for the pricing sector? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch with me to discuss. Alternatively, if you are looking for a new opportunity within the pricing sector check out our latest jobs here.
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Back to basics: CV writing for actuarial professionals
Are you struggling to perfect your Actuarial CV? Getting your CV right is vital if you want to secure the role of your dreams. Check out these tips from Actuarial recruitment specialist Austin Brislen to help you write the perfect CV. Curriculum vitae translates literally as ‘the story of your life’. It is a personal advertisement that will assist your next step up the career ladder to a better position, more money, and new challenges. It must represent the best you have to offer. Your CV can continue to work favourably even after it has obtained you an interview. It can help you at an interview by carefully focusing the interviewer’s mind on your good points and achievements. After the interview it will continue working for you, as the interviewer will probably reread it before making a decision. When it comes to salary negotiations a well-written CV can pay dividends do not take shortcuts! That being said, putting your CV together or updating your current one can often be a daunting task, particularly for senior actuarial professionals who may been out of the job market for a longer period of time. It is for this reason you should think carefully about putting together the relevant information for a winning CV. Get the basics right When starting off your CV, it is easy to jump ahead and rush to the other sections, however, it is imperative to put a good plan together to structure the document appropriately. Contact details are obviously a good place to start, with a mobile number, an evening number and email address. Try to also include the link to your LinkedIn profile to ensure whoever is interviewing can easily find it. This is a great way of giving them more information without clogging up your CV and making it longer than it needs to be. Other sections you should incorporate include; education, employment history, professional qualifications, specialist skills and software skills to name just a few. Be authentic It is important to sell yourself and your skillset on your CV, but be sure not to exaggerate or twist the truth about your experience. Highlight your achievements and what makes you stand out in a competitive job market, but ensure you can always articulately back up your claims on paper with your expertise if you get to the interview stage. Personal statement Include a short section at the top of your CV with a personal statement, detailing your key motivators, why you are looking to leave your current position and why you are interested in the role you are applying for alongside your relevant skills. Ensure this is concise and engaging to capture the attention of the hiring manager. Numbers speak a thousand words Whilst it may take a bit of calculating, it is always worthwhile to incorporate numbers and statistics to sell your achievements. Telling a prospective employer that the models you built increased profitability by 28 percent has a much greater impact than just saying you helped increase profit. Solid statistics such as this can really impress potential hiring managers. Tailor it every time Ensure you tailor your CV for every application to reflect the required skills, experience and culture of the organisation. Try to avoid slipping into the habit of just sending out a standard CV for every role. By tailoring your CV to a specific role, you instantly show you have gone out of your way to research the company and the role, making you stand out from the crowd even further. Proof read it Your CV exists to demonstrate your expertise and professionalism to potential employers and simple mistakes or a lack of attention to detail is not the best first impression – and could even cost you from progressing further in the hiring process. Ensure you proof read it yourself, checking for minor spelling or grammatical errors. Then get someone else to do it too; casting a fresh eye on the document could pinpoint further errors that can be corrected before you send it off. Following these simple steps can really add value to the content of you CV and allow you to gain a winning edge with hiring managers. By continuously updating and refining your CV, you’re ensuring that you make a stellar first impression to recruiters and hiring managers, positioning yourself as the strongest candidate for the role. For more advice on writing the perfect CV, check out our CV Guide and downloadable CV template here. Or for more advice on securing your next Actuarial job contact me directly by emailing austin.brislen@sellickpartnership.co.uk.
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My advice to build a successful career in Actuarial General, Insurance or Pricing
In this blog Actuarial Recruitment Manager Austin Brislen offers his best advice to students, graduates and professionals looking to secure a role within the Actuarial, General Insurance or Pricing sector. From choosing the right degree and employer for you, to being open minded about the type of job you want, we have all the advice you need to start a successful career within Actuarial, General Insurance or Pricing. Do you dream of becoming an Actuary? Are you currently studying and hoping to secure a role within Actuarial, General Insurance or Pricing but not sure where to start? Are you thinking about changing careers to become an Actuary? Then you have come to the right place. In this blog I have rounded up some of the questions I get asked by candidates, and offer my advice for anyone looking to secure a role and be successful in Actuarial, General Insurance or Pricing. Choose the right degree for you – follow your heart, not your mind It is a common misconception that to secure a role within the Actuarial sector you need to study an Actuarial science degree, however that is not the case. Many of the candidates I speak to nowadays have degrees in various subjects, and are enjoying a successful career in the sector. Sometimes a degree in Actuarial Science may actually go against you as these degrees provide you with exemptions from taking exams at a later date, which you may think is a good thing. However some employers feel that taking the exams whilst working in full time employment post-graduation is vital for aspiring Actuaries to develop the ability to multitask and see the theory from the exams on the job. One of the most important things to remember here is that grades are everything! Most of the clients I speak to daily accept candidates with degrees of all disciplines, although preference is almost always given to degrees in maths or other highly numerate subjects. Whatever the degree, most organisations will require you to have excellent academic results. To be considered you will generally need a 1st or a 2:1 whilst there are some companies that will consider a 2:2 or above, however this is quite rare. Make sure you apply for the right roles, within the right organisations Most insurance companies will invest in the professional development of their staff and encourage their employees to take advantage of on-the-job training so it is important to think about the type of business you want to work for. Choosing the right role, and organisation for you will be dependent on the size of company you want to be working for. Larger insurers will offer you the opportunity to work in a number of different teams but these teams will typically focus on more specialised technical areas or specific products. Whereas a smaller insurer will likely have less teams for you to work in but you may gain exposure to more parts of the business or technical work in a shorter space of time. Graduate schemes: larger organisations usually have graduate schemes with set times for applying. Graduate schemes will usually require you to do set placements in different departments of the organisation to widen your skills and experience. Candidates in graduate schemes will also be able to enjoy mentoring from senior staff and/or training designed to fast-track your progression into a management role, making this route a good option for anyone who is career hungry and would like to progress quickly. You are also likely to be given support to complete a professional qualification of your choice, with most who opt to do one, choosing the Actuarial route. Graduate jobs: a graduate job on the other hand will be advertised as a junior role within the organisation, for example an Actuarial Trainee/Analyst or entry level Pricing Analyst. These tend to be offered by smaller organisations and may be recruited for on an ad-hoc basis at any point through the year and do not generally have a set training schedule. Instead you will mentored by professionals within the organisation and learn on the job. Hiring managers will want to see you are committed and have experience under your belt Getting as much sector relevant experience throughout university and your career is imperative if you want to have a winning edge over your competition during the interview and selection process. It is therefore important to get some work experience or an internship during your term/summer breaks whilst studying. A key differentiator for hiring managers when looking through entry level applications is those who have proactively sourced a relevant Actuarial placement or internship. You do not have to be a graduate to move into Actuarial, General Insurance or Pricing Candidates often think that only new graduates and candidates with experience in insurance can secure a role as an Actuary or a job within Pricing, but that is not the case. There are also opportunities for more experienced candidates that may be interested in a change of career. Over the years I have encountered many people who have changed career at a later stage in life. Making the switch from numerate roles in other industries, such as Engineering, Academia and even secondary school Math Teachers. Most importantly, be open minded with what you are looking for and think outside the box! My biggest piece of advice and something I feel is not discussed widely enough, is that there are plenty of roles available for candidates that have not got the qualifications or the grades required to become an Actuary. That is not to say that candidates that decide to take this route do not have the skills to become an Actuary, more that there are other routes into the sector that are rarely advertised or known about. Within Pricing there are endless possibilities for you to work in a highly statistical role where you will learn anything from how to build general linearized models to utilising the latest machine learning techniques. These roles are perfect for candidates that want to get into General Insurance Pricing, but do not necessarily want to study to become an Actuary. If this blog has peaked your interest, or you are looking for your next role within Actuarial, General Insurance or Pricing, feel free to contact Austin Brislen or a member of our Actuarial recruitment team directly. Alternatively, Austin and his team would be delighted to offer you advice on your next career move, or you can read more tips on securing your dream role on our candidate resources section.
