Howden
Surety Graduate Programme
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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.
Please read before submitting: You may only apply to one graduate programme for our 2027 intake. Submitting duplicate applications will result in them not being considered.
Location: London
Start date: September 2027
Salary: £40,000
Working Pattern: Hybrid (3-4 days in the office)
Surety Graduate Programme
Be Part of the Deals Behind Major Global Projects
Are you interested in how major businesses win contracts, manage risk and deliver large-scale projects? Join Howden's Surety team and discover how surety helps businesses secure the guarantees they need to win contracts, deliver projects and fulfil important commitments. We work with clients, insurers and financial institutions to arrange solutions that support projects, investments and commercial agreements around the world.
As part of Howden's Capital, Advisory and Placement team, you'll gain exposure to finance, legal agreements, risk assessment and relationship management, all while working on real client projects from the start of your career.
You'll join Howden in a permanent role and complete our structured 18-month development programme, designed to build your technical expertise, commercial awareness, professional confidence and long-term career foundations.
What you’ll be doing?
- You'll begin with a structured induction before joining the Surety team, where you'll work alongside experienced specialists supporting complex client transactions.
- Learn about our surety products and the end-to-end process for placing surety bonds.
- Work directly with clients and underwriters to structure and place surety bonds.
- Review legal contracts and financial records to identify any risks that may make the surety bond too risky for an insurer.
- Support with reviewing client documentation and preparing materials for upcoming meetings.
- Assist with taking meeting notes to ensure that client files are accurate and up to date.
- Gain early exposure to client and insurer meetings, learning how our clients are advised and how deals are negotiated.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external contacts.
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Who are we looking for?
No insurance experience is needed; we’ll teach you everything you need to know!
You'll be:
- A recent Law or Finance graduate, or in your final year of study and have a strong interest in commercial, legal, and financial matters.
- Analytical and have meticulous attention to detail.
- Confident to learn how to influence and negotiate in professional settings.
- A strong communicator who enjoys building relationships and working with clients, colleagues and external partners.
- Able to articulate your ideas well both in writing and verbally.
- Comfortable speaking on the phone with senior individuals.
- Resilient and hard-working and curious to learn and develop.
To be eligible for our programme, you must have the full and unrestricted right to work in the UK.
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!
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Why should you apply?
- £40,000 salary and a generous pension scheme.
- A permanent role from the day you join Howden.
- 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.
Explore our Connectr page to discover more about Howden, our culture, and the insurance industry. You'll find resources to help you prepare for our recruitment process and understand which career path could be the best fit for you.
Please read before submitting: You may only apply to one graduate programme for our 2027 intake. Submitting duplicate applications will result in additional applications not being considered.
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.
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