Credit & Political Risk Graduate Programme 2027

Howden Group Holdings; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded professional certificates

25 days annual leave

Hybrid working

Volunteer days

Job summary

Howden Group Holdings is launching a Speciality Credit & Political Risk Graduate Programme in London. You will join a structured induction and a team that handles live client projects, researching markets and preparing presentations and submissions.

The programme develops technical, commercial and professional skills through exposure to global risks, cross-functional collaboration and client interaction. Hybrid working and clear career progression are offered.

Qualifications

• A recent graduate, or in your final year of university study from any degree background.
• Interested in global markets, international business and current affairs, with a curiosity about how organisations manage financial and political risks.
• A strong communicator who enjoys building relationships with a range of people.
• Analytical and naturally curious, and willing to ask questions.
• Comfortable working with numbers and data to support decision-making and problem-solving.
• Organised and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Resilient and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change quickly.
• Someone who takes ownership, shows initiative and enjoys learning new concepts and industries.
• A collaborative team player who enjoys working across various teams.

Responsibilities

• You’ll begin with a structured induction before joining the Credit & Political Risk team, where you’ll work alongside experienced specialists on live client projects.
• During the programme you’ll learn how Credit & Political Risk Insurance supports businesses, financial institutions and investors operating around the world.
• You’ll research countries, industries, companies and market trends to support client activity and business development.
• You’ll assist in preparing client presentations, reports and insurance submissions.
• You’ll build relationships with clients, insurers and internal teams across the business.

Skills

Global markets

Strong communicator

Analytical thinking

Numbers & data

Organised

Resilient

Ownership

Collaborative

Curious

Education

Any degree background

Job description

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 change at Howden.

Specialty Credit & Political Risk Graduate Programme

Location: London

Start date: September 2027

Salary: £40,000

Working structure: Hybrid

What you’ll be doing?

You’ll begin with a structured induction before joining the Credit & Political Risk team, where you’ll work alongside experienced specialists on live client projects. During the programme, you’ll:

• Learn how Credit & Political Risk Insurance supports businesses, financial institutions and investors operating around the world.
• Support the placement of insurance solutions that help clients manage financial and political risks.
• Research countries, industries, companies and market trends to support client activity and business development.
• Assist in preparing client presentations, reports and insurance submissions.
• Build relationships with clients, insurers and internal teams across the business.

Who are we looking for?

• A recent graduate, or in your final year of university study from any degree background.
• Interested in global markets, international business and current affairs, with a curiosity about how organisations manage financial and political risks.
• A strong communicator who enjoys building relationships with a range of people.
• Analytical and naturally curious, and willing to ask questions.
• Comfortable working with numbers and data to support decision-making and problem-solving.
• Organised and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Resilient and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change quickly.
• Someone who takes ownership, shows initiative and enjoys learning new concepts and industries.
• A collaborative team player who enjoys working across various teams.

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: We’ve created games that 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 centre at one of our offices. 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, because where you are now, shouldn’t hold back your future!

Why should you apply?

At Howden, people are at the heart of everything we do. As an employee-owned business, we believe success is built through collaboration, learning and supporting one another. You'll join a permanent role from day one and take part in our structured 18-month development programme, designed to accelerate your technical, commercial and professional growth. You'll also benefit from:

• A starting salary of £40,000 and a generous pension scheme.
• Opportunity to complete fully funded professional qualifications, such as the CII or CFA, to support your long-term career development.
• Structured learning and development through our 18-month graduate development programme.
• 25 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays and an additional day off at Christmas.
• Access to discounted personal health policies, wellbeing support and a range of employee benefits and insurance products.
• 2 days allocated to take part in volunteering schemes.

Reasonable adjustments

We are 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*.

*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.

We value diversity – there is no one Howden type.

We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond.

About Howden

Permanent Howden began in 1994, as just three people and a dog. Now there are 23,000 of us, and we're a leading global insurance group, managing $37bn of premiums for our clients. Our largest shareholder group is us – the people who work in the business – supported by three long-term, minority growth-equity partners who share our vision to build a business to last, one that will never be sold. The owner's mindset is something that's embedded in our culture; our people readily take ownership of their decisions, their actions, and their outputs. They’re invested in every sense. And we all know that by working together to drive the business forward, everyone will benefit from the extraordinary results we can achieve.