Michael Belcher qualified as an actuary back in 2017 and then joined our team three years later. Here’s why he thinks Capita is a great place for anyone looking to grow their skills and experience in this area.
“We’re a little bit different to other organisations. We have an actuarial pool of resource that is loaned to different organisations and businesses, to help them achieve their goals. So, you have exposure to different organisations, doing a variety of different work for them, but you’re also supported and backed by Capita. You benefit from all of the training and support that comes with being part of a larger organisation.”
How do you see your career progressing?
“One of the positives I’ve found of working at Capita so far has been that, when I've given clear direction about what I would like to do, Capita has done their best to accommodate it. I’ve asked for more responsibility and taken the lead on a few different projects. I'd never had the opportunity to manage before, so I asked if I could and now, I manage a small team of four people. I’ve also mentored maybe nine or ten people over the last two years. I take the lead on team communications too, sending out different reminders and updates. It’s been really fantastic to be able to continue developing my career in these ways.”
How do you find the work/life balance?
“Our working hours are fairly flexible, as long as they align to meet the client's needs. I usually take a slightly longer lunch break, but I start at eight o'clock when my child goes to Breakfast Club.”
How are you growing your expertise?
“There are lots of different training sessions throughout the year, on top of Continued Professional Development (CPD) sessions. These count towards the 15 hours of CPD that we need to do each year. There’s also the opportunity to share what you’ve learned and your previous experience. So when I first joined, I ran a session on bulk annuities and pricing, because I had experience of that from a few years earlier. There’s also the bonus that once you’re a qualified actuary, you can really make your mark here by pushing your career in a certain way or becoming an expert on a certain topic.”
