Sara Harper Cert CII, AIoL

Experience

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  Bell & Co Insurance Brokers

  Jul 1990 - Feb 1999

  Account Handler

  I joined A H Bell and Co as an Insurance Trainee learning the basics of the industry, the Trainee role also offered the opportunity of weekly day release to the offices of BIIBA Birmingham where I studied for and achieved my Cert CII. The training process at within the company allowed me the opportunity to explore financial products, personal lines and the commercial insurance where i realised my preference lay.My role as an Account Handler saw me working closely with the Account Executives / Directors and handling commercial cases of varying premium sizes.The role also included claims handling. Show less

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  Dragoon Insurance Services Limited

  Mar 1999 - Mar 2001

  Account Executive

  I joined Dragoon as a New Business Account Executive generating new business from warm leads passed over from our in house marketing department, mainly in the North East of the UK. Dragoon were specialists in Jewellery Package Insurance which became my specialism, with in house underwriting on our dedicated scheme.As time progressed I also became responsible for a number of existing Dragoon clients in an account servicing role.

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  Marsh

  Apr 2001 - Jan 2002

  Commercial Account Executive

  A home based role as a Servicing Account Executive for an inherited client base located in the North West of the UK.

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  Sherwin Insurance Services Ltd

  Mar 2002 - Feb 2007

  Commercial Account Executive & Office Manager

  A family established and run Insurance Brokerage of 12 where my Office Manager role involved the running of the office, this included managing the team within to ensure that work was carried out in a timely manner, settling insurance company and supplier accounts, banking and reconciliation and ordering of supplies to keep the office working.From an Insurance perspective I was responsible for servicing an inherited client base as Account Executive with my own account administration meaning the client dealt directly with me from initial enquiry and ongoing including claims handling.The role included dealing with new business enquiries, preparing presentations and reports to display our findings of insurance suitable to requirements. Show less

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  Franklands Insurance & Risk Management

  Mar 2007 - Nov 2017

  Commercial Account Handler and Team Leader

  As Account Handler I am responsible for client accounts with GWP from the ground upwards to £400,000 which incorporates a wide range of industries and policy type. The work here includes liaising with Account Executives, client and insurance companies over requirements at renewal and ongoing throughout the policy year including negotiating of premium, cover and rebroking of a risk where required.The role involves the production of Insurance Registers, Reviews and Renewal Reports and all documentation is processed to the FCA requirements. My two largest clients are Motor Trade which is a little more specialist and I enjoy the diversity that these clients bring,As a Team Leader I am responsible for managing a team of 5 Account Handlers and ensuring that the work flow within the team and the 5 Account Executives runs smoothly. The role also involves monthly audits to ensure that work is being carried out inline with the company requirements and also that of the FCA. Staff appraisals also make up part of the role. Show less

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  PartyLite

  Nov 2012 - May 2016

  Consultant and Senior Team Leader

  Working as an Independent Consultant and Senior Team Leader for Partylite my role comprised of the sale of Wax Products and Home Accessories via parties at home and parties online via social media. Home parties included the demonstration of the products, outlining their key features, their price and an element of home interior design advice and upsells.Working independently meant I was responsible for processing all sales orders into a system, organising delivery and processing money and card payments.During my time with Partylite I recruited approximately 15 people into my team and also promoted out another team within my own thus moving into a Senior Leader position.I became responsible for providing training to my team and also within the organisations larger regional meetings held bi monthly either from pre-provided information or from speeches that I had prepared myself. Show less

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  Routen Chaplin Insurance Brokers

  Nov 2017 - Oct 2018

  As a Team Manager I am responsible for looking after and guiding a team of 7 account handlers and advisors across commercial and personal lines.My role includes a minimal amount of insurance work as my duties as manager take up most of my time, which include, but are not limited to :• The distribution of work between account handlers to ensure a fair work balance • Looking after the interests of the team and maintain a happy environment• Responsible for the monthly audits in line with regulatory requirements• Conducting employee appraisals and 1-2-1’s with development of Training Plans to suit• Dealing with Customer Complaints and Resolving• Liaising with Insurers and building relationships• Looking after general office matters such as IT, Phone, Confidential Waste requirements to name a few• Assisting with company campaigns and a small element of marketing of such campaigns Show less

  • Team Manager

    Feb 2018 - Oct 2018

  • Commercial Team Leader

    Nov 2017 - Feb 2018
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  Aston Lark

  Nov 2018 - Jan 2023

  I came to Aston Lark solely for the input of insurance data into the newly acquired Acturis System. I have found that with my knowledge of the insurance industry and client requirements, it has become more of just an input role and feel that I have been able to question client insurances if something does not look correct, thus ensuring a smooth data input transition for the account handlers and executives.I have recently become involved in the monthly Audits, of both Commercial and Personal Lines clients and liaising with the Office Manager over these and ensuring completed in a timely manner for onward transfer to the Centralised Audit Team.I have also been involved in the renewal process of the Aviva Scheme Home renewals, from preparing renewal quotations, to underwriting the renewal premiums preparation of documentation and liaising with clients where required. Show less

  • Manager of Private Clients Team Derby

    Apr 2021 - Jan 2023

  • Assistant Manager

    Aug 2019 - Apr 2021

  • Data Transfer Administrator

    Nov 2018 - Aug 2019
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  Stride Resource Management

  Jan 2023 - Jul 2023

  Research Executive
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  Specialist Risk Insurance Solutions - Insolvency

  Sept 2023 - now

  Client Manager