meet our people
Graham Searle
Head of Financial Performance
“That's one of the great things about Ecclesiastical – you’re presented with opportunities that enable you to grow and develop within an environment where you feel supported, valued and part of the team.”
I qualified as a chartered accountant in 1987, but left the profession the following year to start my career in insurance. I was attracted by the idea of charging customers a premium to protect them against potentially catastrophic losses by transferring their financial risk to the insurer. Since those early days my knowledge of insurance has grown enormously, and I still find the concept fascinating today.
At the start of 2001, it was time for a change. I managed to get an interview at Ecclesiastical, a company with an excellent reputation and my targeted employer of choice. When they offered me the role of International Business Accountant, I eagerly accepted. I was responsible for the financial reporting and control of a large variety of insurance businesses, and was supported by a small team of accountants.
I was promoted to Head of Business Finance in 2003, with responsibility for an enlarged accounting team supporting our general insurance operations. In 2006, I also assumed responsibility for our credit control function. From a modest start, I was now leading a team of over 30 accounting professionals, achieving tremendous personal development, and really enjoying myself too! That's one of the great things about Ecclesiastical – you’re presented with opportunities that enable you to grow and develop within an environment where you feel supported, valued and part of the team.
In July 2008 I swapped roles with one of my colleagues in the Finance Department, and now lead the Financial Performance team, whose responsibilities include budgeting, financial planning and expense management. This latest move has taken me out of my comfort zone and presented new challenges, but I'm supported by a great team and am confident of success.
It might sound a bit cheesy, but I love my job here and feel privileged to work for such a unique and caring organisation. Let's face it, we spend a lot of time at work, and if you don't enjoy it, what's the point?
