Business Development Intern 2027

Who are we?

Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 24,000 employees spanning over 56 countries.

People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

Specialty Business Development Summer Internship

Please read before submitting: You may only apply to one summer internship programme for our 2027 intake. Submitting duplicate applications will result in them not being considered.

Location: London

Start date: June 2027

Salary: £32,500 pro-rata for 10 weeks

Duration: 10-week programme

Business Development Summer Internship

Spot New Opportunities and Help Howden Grow

Looking for more than just work experience? If you enjoy building relationships and are curious about how a global insurance broker wins new business, develops client partnerships and helps organisations manage risk, this could be the perfect way to spend your summer.

Our Business Development teams help bring new business into Howden by connecting with a range of industries. Opportunities are available in both Sport & Entertainment and Financial Institutions.

In Sport & Entertainment, you'll directly with Premier League football stadiums, sports clubs and concert venues. In Financial Institutions, you'll gain exposure to banks, asset managers and other financial organisations. You'll develop an understanding of client management, identifying business opportunities and the specialist solutions that support some of the world's most exciting industries.

The 10-week programme is designed to give you meaningful exposure to the world of insurance and business development while helping you develop the knowledge, professional skills and confidence to kick start your career.

Better still, our programme offers a direct pathway into our Autumn 2028 graduate roles, subject to business needs and individual performance.

What you’ll be doing?

You will begin with a structured induction before joining our Financial Institutions or Sport & Entertainment team to work alongside experienced colleagues on live projects and deals.

During the programme, you'll:

• Research potential clients across sectors related to the team you join and learn about their business, priorities and potential needs.

• You’ll build an understanding of how businesses operate and where you can spot opportunities for Howden.

• Collaborate with colleagues to understand what opportunities could be the right fit for Howden.

• Analyse new business opportunities by reviewing companies, spotting trends and uncovering potential client needs.

• Support with preparing compelling sales materials, including client presentation and proposal documents.

• Play a key role in outreach to prospective clients via phone and email.

Who are we looking for?

No insurance experience is needed; we’ll teach you everything you need to know!

You'll be:

• In your penultimate year of study from any degree background.

• A confident communicator who enjoys building relationships with a wide range of people.

• Enthusiastic and motivated to achieve your set goals despite setbacks.

• Efficient, organised and willing to adapt to different tasks and opportunities.

• Proactive and willing to get involved in a range of projects and take them in your stride.

• Collaborative and able to thrive when working in team environments.

To be eligible for our programme, you must have the full and unrestricted right to work in the UK.

Application process

Our application process is designed to help you show your potential, not to test what you already know!

• Online application form – no CV required: We believe you're more than just a document, so we won’t ask you to submit a CV. Please upload a blank document on the application form.

• Online gamified assessment: We’ve created games that will help us understand your natural strengths and how you approach different situations. There are no right or wrong answers. You can complete this stage on your phone or laptop, whichever suits you best!

• Pre-recorded video interview: You will record your answers to a few questions using your phone or laptop, giving you the chance to tell us more about yourself in your own time in a relaxed setting.

• Assessment centre: Our final stage is an in-person assessment centre at one of our offices. You'll take part in some fun group activities and meet our team in a relaxed setting. This day is all about getting to know you better and for you to see what it's like to be part of Howden and experience our culture. We'll cover all your travel costs for this day, because where you are now, shouldn’t hold back your future!

Why should you apply?

At Howden, people are at the heart of everything we do. As an employee-owned business, we believe success is built through collaboration, learning and supporting one another. You'll gain exposure to an exciting global industry, receive structured development throughout the summer and build relationships that could shape your future career.

You'll also benefit from:

• £32,500 pro-rata over the 10-weeks.

• Opportunity to receive a deferred graduate offer for Autumn 2028.

• Excellent training and development schemes and accelerated career progression.

• Access to a buddy to support you throughout your internship.

• 6 days of leave, fully paid, plus bank holidays.

• Access to discounted personal health policies as well as a range of insurance products.

Ready to apply?

Follow our TikTok pages: @earlycareersjo and @millieinsurancecareers, and explore our Connectr hub to discover more about Howden, our culture, and the insurance industry. You'll find resources to help you prepare for our recruitment process and understand which career path could be the best fit for you.

Please read before submitting: You may only apply to one summer internship programme for our 2027 intake. Submitting duplicate applications will result in additional applications not being considered.

What do we offer in return?

A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity – there is no one Howden type. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us:

• Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new
• We support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges
• We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond

Reasonable adjustments

We're committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs. Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours* or hybrid working*.

If you're excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it’s the right fit for you, send us your application – if your profile fits the role’s criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require.

*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.

Intern (Paid) (Fixed Term) (Trainee)