As part of National Apprentice Week earlier in the month, Geo Agriculture celebrated the graduation of young farmer Lizzie Down – the first person to qualify as an insurance practitioner and underwriter through the company’s apprentice scheme.
The scheme was launched in July 2022 to create a pipeline of underwriting talent for the company. Throughout her apprenticeship, Lizzie served as an assistant underwriter, working at the Harrogate office four days a week, with the fifth dedicated to her studies.
Lizzie said: “The scheme was recommended to me by a friend who works for GEO as an underwriter, and I have found that insurance is a great career prospect with many avenues to develop and learn.
“Agriculture is an industry I have been brought up in and around. I am passionate about supporting British agriculture and I have seen how insuring farms benefits farmers and the agricultural sector.
“You don’t need to have worked in insurance before and this apprenticeship has given me the foundation for my career and the confidence to try something new.”
Several more apprentices are set to follow in Lizzie’s footsteps, with a pool of five to six apprentices working in groups of two or three.
Kate Bush, Head of Agriculture at Geo said: “It is hugely satisfying to see our first apprentice graduating through our scheme, particularly in National Apprentice Week. Lizzie is a wonderful addition to our team and offers us a great deal of practical knowledge of working farms and particularly the equine sector.
“Our Apprenticeship scheme allows an agriculturally minded individual to retain and enjoy the connection to the industry, whilst developing an underwriting skill set and career.
“It is a tremendous asset to us to have this pipeline of talent coming through, helping our business continue to offer quality underwriting and insurance services.”
For more information go to www.geounderwriting.com