At NFU Mutual, we always want to build long-term relationships with customers - and that's best achieved by ensuring we give our people the chance of a long career. When you bring a desire to build customer relationships and work off your own initiative, in return, we make a lasting investment in you and do all we can to support your learning and give you exposure right across the business.
As we found when caught up with some of our Regional Sales team, at NFU Mutual, you'll have all you need to help you succeed, no matter what you have going on in your life.
Brilliant managers - and always there for us
The nature of a sales role calls for determination and resilience. So, how does the line manager relationship work in sales roles, where many enjoy a degree of autonomy? National Broker Development Manager, Dave Morris, feels he’s found the perfect sales role at NFU Mutual. He can bring his experience into the business and has found the management style different to anywhere else he’s experienced in his 25-year career, as he explains. “My line manager manages me brilliantly. He knows I'm experienced, I'm very well-connected in the market across the UK, and I've done national roles for years. He's always there for me, but he lets me do my job and doesn't micromanage me.
I'm experienced, trustworthy and I like to think I'm good at what I do. My line manager gets the best out of me because he recognises all of this. And what’s more, I’ve never seen a business that takes such responsibility for development. My line manager said to me, "If anyone is underperforming here, we don't look at them as an individual, we look at the business and ask what more could we be doing to support them." I've never heard that approach before, what a great way to look at management.”
And Emily Evans, Sales Development Manager - Southeast has a similar relationship. “I've got a brilliant manager, particularly from a professional perspective. He's incredibly supportive. He’s always there when I need him and if I need extra support, I’ve got a great team around me who I can call on and likewise, they can on me. We all work very, very closely together.”
A culture of support
And it’s not just the support of line managers that helps the sales team achieve their results. As Emily Evans discovered, working in sales at NFU Mutual is a very team-based and supportive experience. “NFU Mutual is a brilliant company. It's very supportive and very challenging. We have a great team culture and a fantastic environment. We work hard, but we have a lot of fun too, and that's been the best way to be.”
Scott Harris, Sales Development Manager, Southwest also identifies the support as a major enabler in progressing his career. “It all goes back to the culture that's been created, NFU Mutual makes you feel valued. If you’re interested in your own career and development, the business will be right behind you throughout.” And Scott also feels that the approach of his line manager plays a big part in his personal development. “My line manager is fantastic. She's been brilliant in supporting my development and sign-posting some of the opportunities available to me. There’s a lot of support available. NFU Mutual has a fantastic coaching network that’s there to support and help.”
Comprehensive training and development opportunities
For those who want to take charge of their development, there’s plenty of scope to grow, whatever stage you’re at in your career. Emily Warren, Locum Agency Manager, Southeast started her career with NFU Mutual on the graduate scheme. “I was on the sales and agency graduate scheme, where they heavily invested in development courses and in supporting me. I wasn’t channeled down a certain career path, it was very open to what I wanted to do. I’ve also received funding to complete the CII and a diploma, so I’m gaining external qualifications too.”
As Emily progressed, her career path took her into leadership training for her current role. She covers what was involved. “I did a leadership course externally. Our learning and development team works really closely with external providers, so you have lots of choice and support for additional courses. It's not just about how you develop within your role, it’s also about how you can develop as an individual and as a professional. And the coaching offered really helps too. It means you have access to colleagues who could be in a different department to you, but who can give you a wider perspective on a subject as they’re not as close to the project as you are.”
Dave Morris sees the impact the training and development opportunities are having on newer team colleagues. “There's support around professional qualifications for everyone. I’ve done the qualifications I’m likely to do but if I wanted to do more, there would be the capability to do that. And I do believe there is strong career progression focus here, for sure, certainly we're seeing that in our team. We're recruiting new people from within our business and helping them to take the next step on the development ladder. As I work closely with lots of my colleagues who are less experienced, I enjoy passing on my experience and helping them develop too.”
On top of his role and busy life, Scott Harris is studying for an MBA and finds NFU Mutual very supportive in helping him manage all of this. “Since I joined NFU Mutual I've been sponsored to gain a diploma in financial services, a certificate in insurance and an international coaching module. I'm currently studying for my MBA and they recognise how the MBA theory can complement work-based projects. I’ve been given the time I need to gain my MBA as they understand the commitment I’m making. They’ve been massively supportive throughout.”