Opening Doors to Careers in Pensions

In May last year, we launched our first trainee programme at IGG, reinforcing our commitment to developing talent and creating new career pathways.

People enter pensions from a variety of backgrounds. While some start in the sector early, others transition from different industries, bringing valuable transferable skills and fresh perspectives. We recognise that prior experience is not essential, and that curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to learn are just as important.

Our programme supports trainees in building knowledge, confidence, and a strong foundation for a rewarding career in pensions.

We spoke to Holly, Jevon and Izzy, who have all completed the programme and are now fulfilling their roles as Assistant Associates, to learn more about their journeys, career backgrounds, and the challenges they have overcome. Here’s what they told us!

Q: Tell us a little about your background before joining IGG. What industry were you working in, and what attracted you to the trainee programme?

Holly: Prior to working at IGG, I worked as a secondary school languages teacher. I knew I wanted to move to work in financial services and the trainee programme gave me the opportunity to transition into the pensions industry.  Alongside this, making a positive impact through my work has always been a priority for me, and a role in pensions allowed me the chance to continue doing that beyond teaching.

Izzy: Before joining IGG, I was working as a Branch Manager for a high street Building Society. I’d been in the role for around seven years and felt ready and eager for a new experience and to develop in a new area. I heard about the trainee programme and was excited by the prospect of the pensions classrooms and year-long experience aimed at providing me with the knowledge and skills to learn the basis of and excel in a new career.

Q: One of the unique aspects of the trainee programme is welcoming people from different professional backgrounds. What skills or experiences from your previous career have helped you succeed in pensions?

Jevon: Before IGG, I worked as a psychologist supporting men diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. It was intense, meaningful work.

Working in mental health meant dealing with complex situations and staying calm under pressure – both of which translate surprisingly well into pensions. Time management, handling tricky conversations, and staying organised were already part of my day‑to‑day, so those skills came with me naturally.

Holly: Both teaching and pensions governance involve helping people make informed decisions within a regulated environment. My planning, communication and analytical skills have been highly valuable in this transition.

Izzy: My previous role was very focused on people management and customer service. These skills have transferred to my role in IGG in the form of working well with people in varying levels within the company and ability to own and manage workloads. I am confident in managing client relationships with an understanding of the importance of representing IGG as a company and maintaining the expected standards both internally and externally with clients.

Q: Before starting the programme, what did you know about pensions, and what surprised you the most once you got started?

Holly: I knew that I had what is considered a ‘good’ pension when I was a teacher, but I hadn’t considered the differences between DB and DC schemes. I think what surprised me the most is how fast-paced the industry is and how much has changed since my parents began working.

Izzy: Before starting the programme, I had very little pensions knowledge. I only had the basic knowledge relating to my own pension and contributions. I did not appreciate how broad the topic is, how important it is to have discussions relating to pensions, and how many specialist areas there are to learn about.

Jevon: Honestly… I didn’t know much about pensions at all. One of the biggest surprises was learning you can take 25% of your pension tax‑free from age 55. I remember thinking, “How did I not know this?”.

Q: Learning a completely new technical subject can be challenging. How did you approach building your pensions knowledge, and what support made the biggest difference?

Izzy: I came into the programme open-minded and excited to sink my teeth into a new topic. The most impactful part of the trainee journey was the four weeks of pensions classrooms provided by our Learning and Development Manager, Mark Minchin. These occurred daily and gave us an excellent insight into the basics of pensions knowledge. We also had the opportunity to meet stakeholders to gain an understanding of their roles, as well as shadowing buddies to better understand responsibilities and roles across IGG.

Jevon: I leaned on my colleagues a lot — everyone was so willing to help. I also just threw myself into the work, even when I barely understood what was going on at first. I made a point of being proactive, studying for exams, and getting to know the industry. And the buddy programme was a lifesaver. Shout out to my buddy Mike Watson, you were honestly brilliant!

Holly: My main approach was to study the Trustee Toolkit. Five months into the role, I passed the RPC exam through learning the booklet provided by the PMI. I found the in-person training sessions delivered by Mark to be incredibly beneficial and enabled me to be fully immersed in learning about pensions.

Q: Looking back, is there a particular project, meeting, event or piece of work that made you feel like you had really become part of the pensions industry?

Jevon: Attending Trustee meetings was a big moment; being relied on by the team made me feel like I’d properly arrived. Speaking at networking events was another one. It’s a great feeling when you realise you actually know what you’re talking about.

Holly: I would say a turning point for me would be attending my first in-person Trustee meeting and taking minutes. I felt like I was truly embedded into the industry as I was watching impactful decisions being made and powerful discussions occur in real time.

Q: Who or what has been most influential in shaping your experience here?

Holly: Every person on my scheme team has shaped my experience as I have grown within the business. In particular, it has been Learning and Development Manager, Mark Minchin for his introduction to the industry and ongoing support, Gail Le Grellier for being an encouraging and knowledgeable line manager, and Mariarosa Rossi for giving me opportunities within my scheme teams and believing in me.

Izzy: The scheme teams I work with have been incredibly supportive and welcoming, which has made learning easier and more enjoyable. The group of trainees I joined with also had a big impact, as we’ve all been eager to learn and have supported one another from the beginning.

In terms of what has been most influential, the pensions training we completed in the first four weeks provided a strong foundation and a great introduction to the role and the knowledge required.

Jevon: My buddy and my trainee cohort, without a doubt. They’ve been such a solid support system. And the Trustee Directors on the schemes I’ve worked on have pushed me in all the right ways.

Q: For someone considering a career change into pensions but worried they don’t have the right experience, what would you say to reassure them?

Holly: I would say that you might be surprised by just how valuable and transferable your existing skills are. And if you’re considering joining the IGG trainee programme, know that it’s a supportive workplace with lots of opportunities for progression – and regardless of your background, this is a company where you can learn and grow.

Izzy: I would say – Come to IGG! I could not have asked for a better introduction into a new career.

Jevon: Take the leap. No one comes in knowing everything — you just need to back yourself. The IGG training programme gives you a great foundation, and from there you grow quickly. If you’re willing to learn, you’ll be absolutely fine.

Q: What has been the most memorable part of your journey over the past year?

Izzy: The most memorable part of my journey has been developing so much new knowledge. The whole experience has been a huge learning curve.

Jevon: The networking events have been a real highlight –  meeting people across the industry and hearing about their careers has been great. Passing my RPC exam was definitely up there too.

Q: Now that you’ve completed the programme, what achievement are you most proud of?

Holly: I would say being nominated for Professional Pensions Rising Star awards in the Trainee of the Year category.  It was nice to feel recognised and appreciated. I’m also proud of my resilience. Making the decision to change careers was challenging and I am now reaping the rewards.

Jevon: I’m proud of how much I’ve learnt in such a short time, and the impact I’m already making within the scheme team. It’s been really rewarding.

Q: How do you see your career developing over the next few years?

Jevon: I want to keep developing and moving up. Eventually, I’d love to step into a leadership role and support junior colleagues the same way others have supported me.

Holly: I’m eager to climb the career ladder and am anticipating leading on tasks and working independently. I’d also like to get involved in more projects, particularly supporting schemes on their transition to buy-out.

Q: Finally, if you could sum up your trainee programme experience in three words, what would they be?

Holly: Insightful, welcoming and growth. It’s been a year of exciting opportunities, from leading quarterly get togethers, to training others on Microsoft Planner, to attending networking events. I’ve also met some fantastic colleagues and my professional life has blossomed.

Izzy: Engaging, enjoyable and rewarding!

Jevon: Challenging, rewarding, transformative.

Whether joining from a different profession, returning to work, or starting a completely new career path, our trainees have shown how valuable diverse perspectives can be to both our business and the wider industry.

As we continue to invest in developing future pensions professionals, we remain committed to creating opportunities for talented individuals from all backgrounds. For those considering a career change or looking for a fresh challenge, our trainee programme offers the chance to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact, with support every step of the way.

To find our more please reach out to our HR team via HR@weareigg.com or follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date.