The latest from Marsh as they work with the University of East Anglia on career opportunities across the insurance sector;
Business students at the University of East Anglia (UEA) are strengthening their employability through a growing partnership with Marsh, one of the world’s leading US insurance brokers.
Norwich Business School (NBS) students have visited Marsh’s London headquarters and toured Lloyd’s of London, gaining valuable insight into one of the sector’s most influential insurance hubs.
‘It ultimately shaped my career path’
For UEA graduate Alfie Lawrence, it was a career‑shaping experience which has come full circle.
Alfie, who now works as an Operations Leader at Marsh, helped to facilitate this year’s student visit to the company headquarters – having once taken part in the same opportunity as a final-year student during UEA’s NBS Employability Week.
He said: “I am particularly passionate about this event, as it was my first introduction to the company and ultimately shaped my career path. The simulation represents a high-impact, and hopefully fun, way for students to build confidence and transferable skills relevant to their transition into professional life.”
This experience left a lasting impression on Alfie who, after winning the challenge and graduating in 2019, applied to work at Marsh. He said the partnership helps students to “build practical skills and develop an understanding for the industry before graduating”.
He added: “At the same time, it allows Marsh to connect with talented people from a local university while also helping our own colleagues build their confidence and develop key skills by taking part.”
This collaboration comes at a crucial time for the UK insurance sector, which faces long‑term workforce sustainability challenges.
RSM UK reports that more than one quarter of UK insurance staff are older than 50; with a significant proportion of the workforce nearing retirement, the sector risks losing vital expertise and the capacity needed for growth and global competitiveness.
The visit enabled students to engage directly with Marsh professionals, to develop an understanding of how a global broker operates while also boosting their confidence, broadening their ambitions and helping explore future career pathways.
They also had the opportunity to meet and gain valuable insight from industry leaders such as Catherine Read (Marsh UK COO) and Jayne Stevens (Marsh UK Senior Vice President).
‘Be a Broker’ simulation challenge
The trip to Marsh’s headquarters followed student success in the ‘Be a Broker’ simulation challenge: an interactive competition, delivered collaboratively with NBS, that exposes participants to decision‑making in an insurance broking environment. The winning team receives exclusive behind‑the‑scenes access to Marsh and Lloyd’s.
Final-year NBS student Gene Coopey said: “The whole process, from the simulation to the London trip, was incredibly insightful. It has really opened up my mind to possible careers in insurance and taught me the value of networking.
“The people we met with were vastly knowledgeable about the industry and provided information which may shape my future career. From start to finish, the many Marsh employees involved were extremely generous with their time, and truly passionate about their jobs – two factors which have left me with a great impression of the company and industry.”
Creating confident, career-ready graduates
Norwich Business School, one of the UK’s top business schools, is committed to bringing real-world experience to the classroom – to help students build their own skills and networks, while also giving employers early access to emerging talent.
Dr Gaetano Grilli, Lecturer in Business at UEA, said: “Norwich is one of UK’s most significant InsurTech centres while the wider FinTech sector is growing in the region, nationally and globally. We are increasingly collaborating with companies in the sector to bridge the gap between academic study and the demands that our students will face in the professional world.
“Employer‑led challenges like Marsh’s not only enhance students’ employability but also reflect Norwich Business School’s unwavering commitment to real-world learning and engagement with leading global companies, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for their future careers.”
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