Starting Strong: Ray’s First Steps into a Career at Cowens

At Cowens, we often talk about careers rather than jobs and for Ray, that distinction was clear from the very beginning.
Joining Cowens as part of our Xpress team, Ray brought with him a strong work ethic and prior experience, but what attracted him here went beyond just the role itself. It was Cowens’ reputation for developing people that stood out.
“From my first interview, I knew straight away that Cowens wasn’t going to be a stop-gap. It felt like somewhere I could build a career.”
That early impression has since been reinforced by the culture, support and progression opportunities he’s experienced day to day.

A Culture That Helps You Settle In

Starting a new role can be daunting, but Ray describes his transition into Cowens as anything but.
From the outset, the Xpress team created a welcoming environment, underpinned by clear expectations and engaging training. Josh, Ray’s Manager played a key role in Ray’s early development, ensuring processes were understood while keeping learning interactive and motivating.
Beyond that, what stood out most was the openness of Cowens’ managers.
“They’ve made themselves really available – always open to helping or just listening. That’s something I really value in a manager.”
It is this accessibility, combined with a supportive team ethos, that has allowed Ray to build confidence quickly in his role.

Supporting Growth from Day One

Cowens’ commitment to professional development is not something we simply talk about – it is something our people experience directly.
Ray points to our ongoing investment in training and qualifications, including CII studies, as a major differentiator.
“To have a workplace that’s happy to invest in your education – especially if you’re new to insurance – is amazing.”
This commitment is reinforced by our back-to-back Investors in People awards, but more importantly by the way learning is embedded into everyday working life.
One moment that particularly resonated with Ray was when one of our senior leaders, personally reached out to recognise his consistently improving performance.
“It made me feel seen and valued. That meant a lot.”

A Workplace That Feels Like a Team

When asked what surprised him most about Cowens, Ray doesn’t hesitate: the culture.
There is a strong sense that while everyone understands their role and responsibilities, people are always willing to step in and support one another. That spirit extends beyond departments, reinforced by in-house events that bring the entire business together.
“It really does feel like a work family.”
Within Xpress, friendly competition and regular recognition through Perkbox have also played a part in helping Ray grow his confidence and motivation.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

For Ray, the future at Cowens is clear and exciting.
The opportunity to work towards CII qualifications gives him a tangible goal to pursue, while seeing colleagues progress internally reassures him that Cowens offers a genuine career ladder, not just a starting point.
And for other young people in Mansfield and the East Midlands considering their first step into work, Ray’s advice is refreshingly grounded:
“Choose a company that won’t just see you as an asset to burn out. Make sure the work fits your life outside of work, and that there’s progression or fulfilment. And always go in with an open mind – you’ll learn a lot from the people around you.”

Why This Matters

Ray’s story is just one example of how Cowens invests in people from day one – creating an environment where careers can grow alongside confidence, capability and balance.
If you are looking for more than just a job – and want to build something lasting – Cowens could be the place to start.