In October 2016, after 15 years working in the UK adjusting sector, Client 鶹 Key Account Manager jetted off to Australia for a new career in the Southern Hemisphere.
The fact she’s leaving one part of the Global Crawford family and joining another is a sign, she says, of a company prepared to invest in people when they’re searching for new horizons.
“I’m moving into a liability adjuster’s role at the Crawford office in Sydney, Australia,” explains Fionnuala.
“I wanted to make a life change both personally and professionally having been in the UK and Northern Ireland for my entire career to-date. I am keen to learn and develop my skills within the liability adjusting market in Australia and also bring my wealth of experience working with clients to my new position in Sydney. It’s great that Crawford was able to provide this amazing opportunity.”
The move will represent a change professionally, as the previous two years have seen Fionnuala take on a demanding, client facing role in which she supported major clients during surge periods, including the 2015 winter storms in Northern England.
“My challenge is to get back to adjusting and then see where the role takes me in Australia. I am extremely appreciative that Crawford are investing in my career as I have always dreamed of working in Australia. In return, I will work hard and aim to be a valuable member of the team in Sydney. I have no doubt there will have been other candidates so it’s a show of faith from both of us. I think you have to demonstrate commitment like this; if you do, the company will help you find a way to work abroad where possible.”
Mike Jones, Chief Operating Officer, UK & Ireland concluded “I'm delighted to see Fi blazing a trail to Australia and wish her all the very best in the next phase of her career. It's especially pleasing for me because Fi worked with GAB Robins and this is one of the benefits of being part of a global business. This sort of opportunity certainly wouldn't have been available prior to the GAB Robins merger with Crawford.”
As the new beneficiary of Fionnuala’s experience, Asia Pacific CEO Andrew Bart echoed Mike Jones’ sentiment, adding how Crawford would be the ultimate winner by helping its people work for different parts of the business. “For me, it’s all about knowledge sharing. We have a number of UK recruits in the Asia Pacific region who have been an outstanding success. Karen Fagg who joined us from Glasgow and Ben Dolling who went to the UK forensic accounting team and is now back here with us in Australia. Both these individuals demonstrate the incredible opportunities that the Crawford group creates across the world.”