Risk and Compliance Graduate Programme 2027

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.

Risk & Compliance Graduate Programme

Spot the Risk and Shape the Strategy

Looking for a graduate role that combines critical thinking, data analysis and problem-solving? Join Howden’s Risk and Compliance graduate programme and discover how global businesses make informed decisions, stay ahead of emerging risks and meet complex regulatory requirements.

Our Risk and Compliance team protects our business by identifying potential risks, putting safeguards into place to reduce them and ensuring we operate effectively and responsibly. If you are curious about how businesses respond to uncertainty, solve complex problems and balance risk with opportunity, this could be the perfect place to start your career.

Our Graduate Programme will build your technical and professional skills while giving you real responsibility from day one. You'll work directly with industry experts, gain exposure to key business decisions and build the foundations for a successful career in risk and compliance.

What you’ll be doing

Over two years, you’ll rotate across four specialist teams, spending six months in each area to build a broad understanding of risk and compliance. You’ll work alongside colleagues from across our key divisions, which may include Howden Group, Howden Re, Specialty, Retail and DUAL, giving you extensive exposure to the insurance industry and a wide range of business areas.

This graduate programme offers a direct pathway into a permanent role. Please note that permanent offers are not guaranteed and are allocated based on performance and business need.

  • Study towards a Level 4 ICA Advanced Certificate in Governance, Risk and Compliance.
  • Identify and assess risks across the business.
  • Support risk assessments and governance activities.
  • Analyse data and present insights to stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with teams to promote risk and compliance best practice.
  • Monitor emerging risks and regulatory developments.
  • Help implement new tools and processes that improve risk management.

What are we looking for?

No experience is required; we’ll teach you everything you need to know!

You’ll be:

  • A recent or soon-to-be graduate from any degree background.
  • Someone who enjoys analysing data and has meticulous attention to detail.
  • A critical thinker who thrives on solving problems.
  • Able to communicate effectively in writing and verbally and be comfortable presenting to individuals at all levels.
  • Able to communicate complex topics to non-technical audiences that aids decision making.
  • Intellectually curious and enjoy problem-solving.
  • A team player who thrives on collaborating with others.
  • Proactive and enjoy taking ownership of the tasks assigned to you.

To be eligible for our programme, you must have the full and unrestricted right to work in the UK.

Application process

  • 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: These games 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. 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!

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 take part in our structured 18-month development programme, designed to accelerate your technical, commercial and professional growth.

You'll also benefit from:

  • £35,000 salary and generous pension scheme.
  • Opportunity to complete fully funded professional qualifications, such as the ICA.
  • Structured learning and development through our 18-month graduate development programme.
  • Early responsibility and exposure to live transactions involving some of the world's leading banks and financial institutions.
  • The opportunity to build an international network and work alongside experienced professionals from banking, legal and finance backgrounds.
  • 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.

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.

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

Back to blog

Other Jobs To Apply

No other job posts for this day.

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...