Mary

My Journey at Acturis

I’ve been with Acturis for about eight years now. I originally joined as a software developer in the Birmingham office. At the time, I was new to the software department and had a few offers, but Acturis stood out because of its strong training opportunities. They had the resources to help me grow, and that was exactly what I needed.

Career Growth and Development

I worked in the UK for two and a half years. During that time, I started mentoring new joiners, which was a big step for me. I wasn’t managing anyone yet, but mentoring gave me confidence and helped me develop leadership skills. The real turning point came when I moved to the Canada office. That move pushed my development further than I expected.

Why I Took the Opportunity Abroad

I’ve always loved traveling, and when the chance came to move to Canada, I saw it as a way to combine personal goals with career growth. I liked working for Acturis and wanted to stay with the company, but I also wanted a challenge. Moving to a smaller office in a completely different time zone was definitely that challenge—it pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow.

How the Experience Impacted My Career

Relocating gave me opportunities I might not have had in the UK. I became more self-reliant and confident in making decisions because I often had to work independently. I also got involved in recruitment and interviewing, which was new for me. On top of that, I helped shape the culture in a new office—something I’d never experienced before. Building a sub-team from the ground up taught me a lot about leadership and collaboration.

Lessons for the Future

I learned how to grow a team almost from scratch and how to handle recruitment and interviews. Those skills will stay with me. I also gained confidence in my role and learned from senior colleagues who came over to help set up the office. Watching how they approached challenges was invaluable.

What I Value Most About Acturis Canada

For me, the best part was the smaller team and the start-up feel. Even though we had a big company behind us, the office felt agile and collaborative. There was more cross-team interaction and more chances to work with senior people, which meant more mentorship opportunities. That kind of environment really accelerates learning.

Advice for Anyone Considering an International Opportunity

Do it! If you enjoy traveling and want to push yourself, it’s a fantastic opportunity. Working in a smaller office can help you advance your career faster, especially if you’re proactive and willing to take initiative. For me, moving to Victoria was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Challenges and How I Overcame Them

One of the biggest challenges was working on a different time zone from most of my team. It forced me to become more independent and confident in my decisions. At first, I worked almost entirely on my own during the day, which was tough but rewarding. Now, with more people in the office, it’s easier, but that initial challenge helped me grow. Moving to a new country also has its difficulties, but there’s something special about being in an office where many people have done the same. It creates a strong sense of support and community.

Final Thoughts

This experience gave me a new perspective—not just on my role, but on the insurance industry globally. It showed me what the Acturis platform is capable of and broadened my understanding of how insurance works in different countries. That insight has been great for my career growth.