Profile: Abby Houghton – Young female broker

How did you end up in insurance?

When I was younger I never thought I would be in insurance.

I used to work in catering, where I would make sandwiches and coffee, then I thought I needed to do something else.

I managed to get a job with Ageas in January 2017 on home and car insurance as a sales adviser, then was made expert agent then senior agent.

I also started a leadership apprenticeship which included my Cert CII, but unfortunately I was made redundant in March 2019. I was not able to finish the apprenticeship but I still got the Cert CII. I moved straight to Brightside in April 2019.

I started in the public liability business and progressed as the years went by. I learnt everything to do with property, package, and commercial combined insurance. I have just added professional indemnity which is probably one of the hardest parts of insurance I have learned.

How do you find the industry?

Home and car insurance wasn’t too difficult, however business insurance was much more complicated. It took me longer to progress and feel confident but I am now one of the top sellers in my team.

Do you believe it to be a male dominated industry?

We have a separate sales and customer service teams at Brightside. You will find more women in the customer service team and less women in sales. The team I am in is predominantly male, it would be great to have more women who want to go into sales roles.

Have you felt you have been supported throughout your journey?

Absolutely. The ball was in my court when I said wanted to learn all these products. Brightside supported me and told me they thought I was ready. It wasn’t a smooth journey, as I said I found professional indemnity difficult and learning new things is not always going to be easy. 

Do you want to remain in insurance broking?

I am happy where I am. I just want to grow my skills and make sure I am confident in all products. Once I feel I am ready I will look at other options like underwriting or team leading.

I would like to go into leadership and higher roles in the department. You do not see many women in much higher roles or board level roles, so it is difficult to know where I will progress to.

Does the lack of women in c-suite roles have a knock-on effect with your progression?

It definitely makes it look more daunting for me to get there. I am so far down the chain at the moment that I know it would take me a while to get to those higher ranking positions. We are so used to men being in c-suite that I suppose I don’t think about being in that position until, like you today, I am asked about it.

What has Brightside done to create a more inclusive workspace?

Within my team, there is equal opportunity and we all get treated the same. When we learn one product and we are ready for a new one, we are always going to be offered it. I feel like my team has always had good opportunities. I have had a good career from when I started.

What advice would you give to women who want to join the industry?

I would say just go for it! If you feel like you deserve the job then you deserve it.

Do not feel uncomfortable or feel like you shouldn’t do it, because everyone should have equal opportunities for any job, whether that is in insurance or anything else.

My advice would be not to stay in your comfort zone, jump straight in and take the risk. You will be surprised with what you can achieve.

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