Commercial Account Handler

Who are we?

Howden is a collective – a group of talented and passionate people all around the world. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mind-set, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 15,000 employees spanning over 100 countries.

Our people are our biggest asset as well as our largest shareholder group and are everything that makes us unique; our inclusive culture, the quality service we offer our clients, and our continued growth, all come from our people-first approach. There’s no such thing as individual success. We all need to play our part, contributing our skills and experience to make a true difference. That’s Howden.

Why work at Howden?

We have always been employee-owned and driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Right from the beginning, we've focused on employing talented individuals and empowering them to make a real difference to the company, whilst building successful and fulfilling careers at the same time. Simply put, we hire talented specialists and give them what they need to make a difference for clients. Always have, always will.

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 disappointed head-hunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

With a no limits approach, we can rise to any challenge. Whatever the question, the concern, or the risk, we can get the right people in a room and find the right answer. Our collective power is also helping us to change the insurance narrative – doing right by our clients while using insurance as a tool to build resilience for individuals, businesses and communities. From pro bono work to insuring COVID-19 vaccine development to de-risking the carbon market, we’re using our skills, knowledge, and networks to make a difference and speed positive change in the world around us.

We are actively looking for a Commercial Account Handler to join our Howden Consumer & Local Commercial team. Our local Commercial team have grown rapidly over the last 14 years’, and we now have over 200 people within the team across the UK. As a Commercial Account Handler, you will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with existing clients, actively reviewing client’s insurance needs to enhance protection for their businesses, while also proactively acquiring new clients. This role is pivotal in achieving the Branch/Groups client retention targets through exceptional service and resource available throughout the Howden Group.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and execute ways to self-generate new business and maximise opportunities within our insurer panel.

Maintain meticulous records of client interactions, correspondence, and documentation on Acturis, utilising the diary system effectively.

Produce accurate and professional documentation consistently, adhering to Howden standards.

Process adjustments promptly, ensuring notification to insurers, issuing revised documentation, and managing additional or return premium collection and refund.

Actively cross-sell products from other Divisions, enhancing client value and deepening business relationships by collaborating with other branches and Group Resources as necessary to provide comprehensive service.

Establish and manage a tailored renewal strategy for each client, aligning with the division's procedures and goals to optimise renewal success.

Ensure clients are correctly and adequately insured, providing expert advice to address all insurance exposures.

Support the Division in achieving targets through proactive client engagement

Maintain professional competence by adhering to Howden Training and Competence procedures.

Seek and respond to client feedback, continuously improving service quality.

Conduct market exercises to secure the most appropriate cover for the clients needs and at competitive terms.

Present renewal terms to clients with clarity and precision, ensuring contract certainty.

Guarantee premium collection prior to cover commencement, following Howden procedures.

Skills & Competencies:

Proven ability to self-generate business and identify new opportunities.

Strong relationship-building skills, with a focus on client retention and satisfaction.

Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.

Proficiency in using Computers

Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and professionalism in documentation.

Ability to work collaboratively within a team and with various areas of the business.

Strategic thinking with a focus on renewal strategies and retention targets.

Commitment to ongoing professional development and compliance with regulatory standards.

Rewards:
We believe that great work and dedication should be rewarded, that’s why we offer:

22 days holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing through length of service

A set of core benefits, designed with your health and financial protection in mind:

Life Assurance up to 4x salary, protecting your loved ones in case the worst should happen

Income protection, guaranteeing an income for up to 5 years in the event of an illness or injury

Contributory pension scheme – 4% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution, rising to 5% & 5% in April 2025

Access to a Healthcare Cashplan, which gives you access to a variety of health related benefits

Access to a host of lifestyle and financial benefits that you can choose from:

Discounts on gym membership across the UK

Salary sacrifice schemes – Travel Insurance, Cycle to Work, Car leasing, Technology purchase

Access to discounted personal health policies – Critical illness, private medical, dental plans

A range of insurance products available commission free, including home, motor, travel and specialist vehicles

Access to hundreds of high-street retailer discounts

Who we’re looking for

At Howden we value diversity - there is no one Howden ‘personality 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

What do we offer in return?

A career that you define.

Our business succeeds by allowing our people to make a mark in the areas they care about most: personal development, volunteering, and fundraising for charity, or creating new insurance products that address society’s greatest challenges.

And we know that separate home and work lives don't really exist. If you're happy and healthy at home, you're more likely to be happy and fulfilled at work – and vice versa. That's why we do our best to support our people in every aspect of their lives.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Howden, we consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness, and respect – regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or family circumstances.

Our sustainability promise

We’re on a life-long journey to become an ever-more sustainable group. It's a commitment to taking care of our people and the world we live in, to doing good business, and to making a positive impact wherever we can. Our governance processes, company policies, and review systems are all geared towards our goal of making a positive impact in the world. You can read more about our sustainability work here.