That was exactly what I was searching for when I joined Cowens.

In the past, I’d experienced roles where expectations shifted after the interview stage. Promises were made but not always kept. From my very first day at Cowens, that concern disappeared. I was welcomed immediately, listened to, and supported, every commitment made during recruitment has been delivered on, and then some.

Training That Sets You Up for Success

Cowens takes a measured, confidence-first approach to training. Rather than overwhelming new starters with information, learning is delivered in clear stages, ensuring understanding at every step.

Throughout my onboarding, Josh made sure we felt comfortable before moving on – whether that was learning products, understanding insurance terminology, or preparing to speak with clients. Time was built in to reflect, ask questions, and practice, including supported call training until we were genuinely ready.

The result is simple: confidence, competence, and the ability to perform well without unnecessary pressure.

A Workplace You Actually Enjoy Being Part Of

One of the biggest surprises for me has been how enjoyable work can be in the right environment.

I don’t dread coming into the office – in fact, most days go incredibly quickly. When you’re engaged, supported, and trusted, time tends to fly. That says a lot about the culture Cowens has built.

Support That’s Always Within Reach

I joined Cowens with no prior insurance experience. Since then, I’ve signed up for my professional exams and continue to build my technical knowledge, fully supported by the business.

On a day-to-day basis, support is never far away. If I’m dealing with a client operating in a complex or unfamiliar sector, there’s always someone willing to help – whether that’s advice on insurers, structuring a conversation, or identifying the right questions to ask.

That collaborative approach allows everyone to work efficiently while continuing to develop their expertise.

A Culture Built on People, Not Hierarchy

The Cowens office is lively, welcoming, and full of character. There’s a genuine sense of teamwork – people talk, help one another, and build strong relationships both in and out of work.

What stands out most is accessibility. You can approach anyone in the business, regardless of role or seniority. If you need support, advice, or simply a conversation, people will make time to listen and help.

That environment has played a huge role in building my confidence. Over time, I’ve gone from needing guidance on certain client types to handling them independently – and the growth in confidence and understanding has been significant.

Real Opportunities to Progress

What excites me most about my future at Cowens is knowing there are genuine opportunities to progress.

Career development here isn’t about ticking boxes or having done the job elsewhere. It’s about effort, learning, and growing alongside the business. If you’re willing to work hard and develop your skills, there are real opportunities to move forward.

Advice for Anyone Starting Their Career

Don’t be afraid to try something new.

I spent three years at university and ended up taking a completely different path – simply because I was open to exploring other opportunities. If something isn’t working for you, don’t feel locked into it.

There are excellent workplaces out there, often in industries you may never have considered. You won’t find them unless you’re prepared to step outside your comfort zone and give something new a chance.

The post Building a Career at Cowens: Confidence, Support and the Opportunity to Progress appeared first on Cowens.

Starting with Opportunity, Not Experience

Harry joined Cowens in 2022 after spotting a trainee role advertised online. With no background in insurance, the fact that Cowens was actively recruiting and investing in people at the very start of their careers stood out immediately.

That commitment to on-the-job training and long-term development gave Harry the confidence that Cowens was somewhere he could build a career, not just take a job.

Finding the Right Fit and Progressing Quickly

Harry began his career in new business, gaining a strong grounding in the fundamentals of commercial insurance. As his performance developed, managers identified that his strengths were particularly well suited to renewals, where relationship management, technical understanding, and consistency are critical.

That move proved pivotal. Over time, Harry’s knowledge deepened and he naturally became a go-to person within the team – supporting colleagues, sharing insight, and helping resolve challenges. When the opportunity to step into the Renewals Team Lead role arose in September 2024, Harry was ready.

Regular one-to-one meetings, appraisals, and open conversations about career ambitions meant the transition into leadership felt supported rather than daunting.

Leadership Rooted in Culture

For Harry, the culture within Cowens Xpress has been fundamental to both his development and his leadership style. An open, honest environment – where colleagues can approach one another with internal or external challenges – has created a close-knit, high-performing team.

That culture shapes how he leads day to day. He recognises that every individual responds differently to management, and effective leadership means adapting your approach to help each person perform at their best.

The most rewarding part of his journey so far has been seeing that growth reflected in others -supporting team members through problems, building their confidence, and helping them reach their potential.

Working with Family – Professionally

Harry also has the unique experience of working alongside family at Cowens. Rather than complicating things, it has strengthened trust, support, and collaboration. Clear professional boundaries ensure work remains impartial, while the shared experience has brought them closer outside the office as well.

Looking Ahead

Having spent over a year in a leadership role, Harry continues to build his management capability. Cowens has supported this progression through on-the-job training, mentoring from previous team leads, and formal leadership courses.

Looking ahead, Harry’s ambition is clear: to take on greater responsibility, lead larger teams, and continue developing towards a future management role.

Advice for Future Leaders

For anyone considering a role within Cowens Xpress and aspiring to leadership, Harry’s advice is simple: apply yourself. Cowens actively supports career progression, invests in its people, and provides the structure and encouragement needed to turn ambition into reality.

The post From Trainee to Team Lead: Harry’s Career Journey at Cowens appeared first on Cowens.

What stood out was the intent behind the role itself. “Cowens were offering a career, not a job,” Tia says an approach that gave her the confidence to step into something entirely new.

Learning fast in a fast-paced environment

From the outset, Tia was immersed in a busy and varied environment. She was quickly trained across both renewals and new business within personal lines, developing a strong understanding of how clients are supported and how the wider Xpress operation functions.

Support beyond the team

For Tia, one of the defining features of Cowens has been the consistency of support across the business. From regular feedback and cooperation within Xpress to check-ins from directors, brokers and executives, she’s felt supported not just in her day-to-day work, but in her wider development.

That support has been practical as well as personal whether it’s help finding solutions to operational challenges or having access to advice when navigating new responsibilities.

Creating connection and consistency

New business work is unpredictable by nature, and Tia openly reflects on how challenging that was initially. Time management, prioritisation and process all required refinement. Through trial and error, she and her colleagues continued to adjust how they worked together to relieve pressure on both clients and the team.

Today, those refinements have paid off. The team operates more efficiently, handles workload with greater confidence, and delivers better outcomes as a result.

Central to this has been the culture within Xpress. With a growing number of new starters and a wide range of personalities, Tia has placed particular emphasis on connection. By encouraging colleagues to work closely with one another and deliberately avoiding siloed ways of working she’s helped create what she describes as an “almost in-house support network”, where people feel comfortable helping each other when things get busy.

What leadership really means

One of the biggest lessons Tia has learned is the weight of responsibility that comes with leadership. Understanding individual needs, ensuring people feel heard, and recognising achievements all play a crucial role in how she approaches her work.

“At Cowens, everyone is heard,” she says, and she sees it as her responsibility to make sure those voices continue to be represented, especially in a collaborative and people-focused environment.

Looking ahead

Tia’s focus now is on deepening her insurance knowledge so she can continue supporting those around her and broaden her own skill set. Ongoing learning, she believes, not only strengthens individual capability, but contributes to the overall strength of the team.

Her advice to those considering a future at Cowens Xpress is grounded and honest: trust the people around you, actively seek feedback, and be patient with yourself. Trial and error, she believes, isn’t a setback it’s how capability and confidence are built over time.

The post Cowens Careers: Building Confidence and Culture at Cowens Xpress appeared first on Cowens.

“I was looking for a long-term career not just a job for now,” Josh says. From the outset, the emphasis on gaining qualifications and learning on the job gave him confidence that Cowens was somewhere he could grow.

Developing expertise and confidence

Starting with little prior insurance knowledge, Josh built his technical capability over time, working across different areas of the business as the Xpress team evolved. He developed experience in commercial insurance, renewals, and client support, gaining a broad understanding of how the department operates and how customers are best looked after.

Alongside hands-on experience, Cowens supported Josh through qualifications with the Chartered Insurance Institute, including funded study and dedicated learning time during the working week. He also completed a Future Leaders development programme, designed to build the communication, decision-making and people skills required in a professional services environment.

A culture shaped from within

One of the defining features of Cowens Xpress, for Josh, is its culture. He describes it as “very open and honest”, a quality that encourages people to speak up, share ideas, and raise concerns early. That openness has shaped how he approaches his work day-to-day, placing a strong emphasis on approachability and trust.

A key learning for Josh has been the importance of listening. “A key quality is actively listening to your team,” he explains. By taking on board different perspectives and acting on feedback, he has seen how small changes can make a meaningful difference to performance and morale.

Supporting others’ development

As Josh’s experience has grown, so has his involvement in supporting others. One of the most rewarding aspects of his journey has been helping newer colleagues develop their skills and confidence, drawing directly on lessons learned earlier in his own career.

Being able to share knowledge, provide guidance, and help people find their feet reinforces the strength of developing talent internally, something he believes Cowens does particularly well.

Looking ahead

Josh is currently working towards his Diploma in Insurance, having already completed his Certificate and law module. Continuing to deepen his technical knowledge is a priority, enabling him to support both colleagues and clients to a high standard.

For those considering a career at Cowens Xpress, his advice is straightforward: apply yourself, commit to learning, and take advantage of the support available. Cowens, he says, provides genuine opportunities for development, and with the right mindset, long-term careers can be built here.

The post Cowens Careers: Building a Career at Cowens Xpress Cover appeared first on Cowens.

In Part One, we explored how Lisa and her sons first joined the business. In Part Two, we look at how their careers have developed, the training they’ve received, and what it means to build a future at Cowens as a family.

1. Early Careers & Development

Lisa: The Evolution of Cowens

Q: What stands out most from your early days at Cowens?
Lisa: Everything being manual. No computers. Lots of paper. A formal dress code. It was a very hands-on environment where everything relied on phone calls and face-to-face interaction.

Matthew: From the Unknown to Broking & Risk Surveying

Q: How did it feel starting your career here, and how did your role develop?
Matthew: Starting any new job is daunting, but having grown up around Cowens helped. I already knew many of the people, so the unknown wasn’t quite so scary.

I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of both my Mum and Dad. Cowens has done a lot for my family. In fact, because my parents met here, I always joke that I literally wouldn’t exist without this business!

The opportunities I’ve had have been brilliant. Working in both Broking and Risk Surveying has given me a deeper understanding of material risk, security, construction, and building materials, which helps us win business and give clients the right solutions.

Oliver: Why Financial Planning?

Q: What drew you into financial planning and paraplanning?
Oliver: My Finance A-level sparked my interest. And my dad was an insurance broker, but I didn’t fancy that route!

Paraplanning is the natural next step for anyone aiming to become a financial adviser. It’s technical and detailed- shaping advice, drafting client reports, and supporting advisers. You start thinking like an adviser without the pressure straight away. It’s the perfect stepping stone.

2. Family Influence & Career Motivation

Lisa: Watching Two Sons Build Their Careers

Q: How does it feel seeing your sons working at Cowens?
Lisa: I’m immensely proud of them and what they’ve accomplished.

Matthew: Inspired by Stability & Support

Q: How did your mum’s experience influence your decision to join?
Matthew: A lot. In Mansfield, proper career opportunities are limited. Cowens is one of the few places where you can build a stable future.

My Insurance Certificate and Diploma were funded by Cowens, and last year the business also paid for my NEBOSH General Certificate, including accommodation for two weeks in Birmingham.
Seeing how well Mum was looked after gave me confidence I’d be in good hands too.

Oliver: A Different Perspective, Same Conclusion

Q: Did your mum or brother’s experiences shape your path?
Oliver: Definitely. Their experiences showed me Cowens was a place where people were supported.

In Mansfield, genuine career opportunities are rare. Cowens offered that. My Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning was fully funded- a huge investment in me both financially and in terms of trust. It made the decision to stay and grow here an easy one.

Closing Reflection

Across two generations and three career paths, one theme stands out: Cowens is a place where people can build long-term, meaningful careers.

From Lisa’s first day in 1984 to Matthew’s broking expertise and Oliver’s journey towards becoming a Financial Planner, this is more than a family story; it’s a celebration of opportunity, development, and a business culture that invests in people.

The post Cowens Careers: Building Futures- Part Two appeared first on Cowens.

For more than four decades, Cowens has played a central role in one family’s life, beginning with Lisa’s career in the 1980s and continuing today through her sons, Matthew and Oliver. In Part One of this two-part series, we explore their early memories, first roles, and what drew each of them into the business.

Lisa: Joining Cowens in 1984
Q: When did you first join Cowens, and what was your role back then?
Lisa: I joined Cowens in August 1984 as a receptionist and admin/post assistant. All the processes were manual- no computers, lots of paperwork, and a more formal dress code. The pace was slower, and everything relied on in-person interactions.

Matthew: Childhood Memories & His First Steps Into Cowens
Q: What inspired you to follow your mum into the business?
Matthew: Some of my earliest memories are being brought into the office as a child and firing elastic bands at people who are still colleagues today!
My proper introduction came at 15 during work experience, I spent a week on reception and doing admin tasks. I already knew about Cowens from Mum, but seeing it up close was eye-opening.
When I got the chance to join as a paid employee at 21, I jumped at it, I knew Cowens was a great environment with friendly people and real career opportunities. I spent a couple of years in reception and admin (and lots of staple picking!) before joining Karl in Broking and developing from there.

Oliver: From University U-Turn to Full-Time Opportunity
Q: How did your Cowens journey begin, and what inspired you to join?
Oliver: I was originally set to go to university after my A-levels, but at the last minute I decided to defer, something didn’t feel right. I’d really enjoyed my Finance A-level, and during a chat with Mum I mentioned it. She suggested asking Financial Services whether they needed admin support.
I didn’t expect anything, but the next day they wanted my CV. Before I knew it, I had two interviews and a full-time offer. Because Cowens was so familiar, it felt like the easiest decision.
My first couple of years were spent doing a mixture of admin, accounts, and reception. From there, I naturally moved into more technical admin work, eventually progressing into paraplanning and recently completed my Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (February 2025).

End of Part One
In Part Two, we explore how each of them developed into their current roles, how Cowens has supported their progression, and what it means to build a family legacy within the business.
Stay tuned for Part Two of Cowens Careers: Building Futures

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