CLARE Lundy, CIP, began her insurance career through a somewhat circuitous route – as a beautician. “I was twenty when I joined Munstergroup, with no experience in insurance – in fact, I’d been a beautician until then!” she says.
Lundy joined Munstergroup in Personal Lines sixteen years ago and has been there ever since. She handles new business quotes, renewals, and customer service – both in person and on the phone. “I’ve worked my way up from the bottom, and now I’m an assistant manager,” she explains.
Lundy’s experience at Munstergroup has been one of guidance and support in her career goals. “Munstergroup supported me in my exams to becoming qualified first as an APA and now as CIP, which helped me on my journey from Team Lead to Assistant Manager.”
A New Acquisition
The recent acquisition of Munstergroup Insurance by Campion Insurance, part of the PIB Group, will mean changes for the Ennis-based company. However, Lundy has seen only positive impacts so far. “We’re not fully merged yet,” she notes, “but already we’ve found the process to be great. Campion Insurance has been open and inclusive during the whole process.”
Lundy adds that Campion has made efforts to engage with employees directly. “They’ve come down to talk to us several times, with Jim Campion himself in meetings and on calls, and HR on every email.”
Despite the many changes happening and more to come, Campion has been careful to ensure that Munstergroup and its employees are properly integrated and not overwhelmed. “Over the last couple of months, as things have been brought over, for example, their phone systems, certain letters, or different products they sell, they’ve organised training for everything. That way, when the integration is done, it’s just another day in the office and not a massive change.”
More Benefits to Come
Lundy outlines some of the benefits she’s discovered since the acquisition. “We now have health checks, which we didn’t have before, which is great. We also have a group pension scheme, hybrid working, and the opportunity to work from home, as well as the chance to work in other offices – or even in other countries.”
In addition, Campion Insurance is as supportive of learning as Munstergroup was. “We have an apprenticeship scheme and open roles for those with experience, as well as those without. Campion supports those taking exams to become qualified in the industry and is keen to train people without experience.”
An additional learning path is that of LinkedIn Learning, which is now available to Lundy and her colleagues. “There are lots of courses there for you to upskill with.”
Ann Keogh, Head of HR at Campion Insurance, says, “We are delighted that Munstergroup is now part of Campion Insurance, part of the PIB Group. With this integration, our presence in Ennis is stronger than ever. By combining Munstergroup’s expertise with our own, we have created an even more dynamic and robust offering for our clients, and better career opportunities for our teams.”
Keogh also highlights the various benefits available to employees. “At Campion Insurance, we are committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits, including location flexibility, hybrid working, maternity and paternity leave, the Bike to Work scheme, company pension scheme, and more. In the coming weeks, we will be implementing these benefits for our newly added Ennis team members, supporting their growth, development, and success within our company.”
Youthful Ideas
For the younger members of staff, Lundy believes that the opportunity to work in different offices – or countries – is a great benefit. “Transferring offices is one of the opportunities that excites me the most – and I think will be really appealing to new or younger members of staff.”
She continues, “Instead of, when you want to live somewhere else for a while, having to give up your job, with Campion Insurance and the PIB offices in the UK and Europe, you can transfer across to another office and have the same experience without the risk and uncertainty of giving up your job.”
