Like many others, my foray into surety happened by chance. I accepted an internship on the credit side of Allianz Trade, where the focus of my job was primarily insurance-related. Meanwhile, I couldn’t help but notice that the surety team was doing something entirely different. I was very curious to find out what!

Before the internship ended, a vacancy opened up on the UK surety team and my manager encouraged me to apply. I already had some transferable knowledge and skills thanks to my banking degree. At the same time, getting involved with a new product and niche would involve a steep learning curve. It was a very exciting time.

I was fresh out of university when I started out in surety. I had zero experience and was surrounded by seasoned professionals. I knew I had a lot of catching up to do, and I put a lot of pressure on myself initially. Over time, I realized I was acquiring the skills organically, so I learned to trust the process, get curious and ask a ton of questions. People are truly happy to help when you show them that you’re eager to learn and willing to do the work.

As I found my feet in surety, one of the things that surprised me most was the way we developed relationships. Unlike the credit side, we were nurturing relationships with the whole market – including our own competitors when partnering on co-surety transactions.

I was born and raised in Morocco and attended a French international school. Being able to apply this cultural aspect of my upbringing and my love of languages is a pleasure. Working for a multinational company means I get to engage with people all over the world. We often share clients across business units and regions so we work together to deliver the best service possible.

Communication is key to success in this role. To serve clients, you need to set expectations and provide a good flow of information. Complex deals require an open mind and a holistic approach to bring all the pieces together. Often, you need to seek approvals from throughout the organization. Clear communications, soft skills and patience are crucial.

Broadly speaking, surety products are becoming more popular, and most sureties are in a growth phase. There are numerous exciting developments on the horizon, from green energy to digital transformation. To reap the benefits, we need to follow the market and pivot accordingly.

Interpersonally, I’m thrilled that surety has become much more diverse even within my time here. The proportion of women and younger people in surety is growing rapidly. When I joined the team, surety was male-dominated – which can feel intimidating. If nobody looks like you, you can feel pressure to represent a whole gender, or ethnicity. Our company’s diversity efforts are attracting a wide variety of people whose unique perspectives are invaluable to the team.

My most recent move has been transferring to our Global Surety team based in Paris. I moved in early September, and the support from Allianz Trade’s international mobility program has been invaluable to my integration into both the team and the company. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me next!