What is it like to work for Isio Administration?

Martin

How many years have you been working in the industry?

I’ve worked in Pensions admin for about 5 and a half years.

What’s your job title and location?

I work as a Senior Pensions Administrator at the Croydon office.

“I have never been happier in the workplace – the support from management is second to none and everybody is willing to pitch in where necessary.”

What’s your favourite thing about working in Pensions Administration?

How varied the work can be.

Tell us about your experience working for Isio – what makes it such a great place to work?

Since Isio acquired Premier, they’ve been actively keeping us informed on any changes or news. I’ve found Isio to be collaborative and open with Premier employees.

What has your career journey been to get you where you are today?

I started in Pensions Admin in 2016 and after working for the same company for 3 years I wanted to progress my career but was unhappy at my old company. I decided to make the move to Premier in 2019, since then I’ve completed several exams to attain a qualification in pensions calculations and in January 2022, I made the move to senior.

What do you get up to at the weekends?

I enjoy going for walks in the countryside to get some fresh air. I also enjoy relaxing with family and friends.

Tell us one bit of advice you’d give someone coming into the industry?

Be prepared to constantly be learning.

Olivia

How many years have you been in the industry?

10 years.

What’s your job title and location?

I’m a Senior Pensions Administrator based in Reading

“Since joining I have completed several exams to attain a qualification in pensions calculations and in January 2022, I made the move to senior administrator.”

What’s your favourite thing about working in Pensions Administration?

I love training new joiners with little pensions experience and seeing them grow into a confident Pensions Administrator.

I always like getting stuck into a complex manual calculation – figures are my favourite!

Tell us about your experience working for Isio – what makes it such a great place to work?

I joined Isio in August 2021 and have never been happier in the workplace. My only regret is that I didn’t join sooner. The support from management is second to none and everybody is willing to pitch in where necessary. Hard work is acknowledged and rewarded – we have a colleague reward system and an annual bonus Scheme. We have an excellent social committee – there is always something being planned and it’s a great way to get to know colleagues from different departments.

What has your career journey been to get you where you are today?

My career in pensions began as a two week temporary employee scanning the incoming post! I never imagined I would still be in the industry 10 years later, but I am so pleased that I am. I have worked for several third party administrators and worked my way up to the Senior Pensions Administrator position.

What do you get up to at the weekends?

At the weekends I like to take it easy and relax, though I am partial to a bottomless brunch!

Tell us one bit of advice you’d give someone coming into the industry?

Don’t be afraid to ask senior colleagues for help. We’re here to help you learn and we want to see you succeed!

David

How many years have you been in the industry?

6 years.

What’s your job title and location?

Senior Pensions Administrator based in the Manchester office.

“On the admin team you have a key impact in one of the most important decisions people can make, what should I do with my pension?”

What’s your favourite thing about working in Pensions Administration?

No one day is ever the same. There is a lot of variety, even in a process/procedure heavy department such as Administration. We work on a massive range of schemes/clients, so the experience I’ve gained here in the admin department has been absolutely first rate. On the admin team you have a key impact in one of the most important decisions people can make, what should I do with my pension? Which, personally, is what sells Pensions Administration for me – you aren’t just working with numbers on a screen, you’re working with people too.

Tell us about your experience working for Isio – what makes it such a great place to work?

Isio is a good company to work for primarily due to its size. As a medium sized company you have both the benefit of a large pool of knowledge to draw in from your colleagues but also you are important to both your local team and the wider team across the business. I’ve never felt like a cog in a large machine. Additionally, the company has a really active social life. It really is a work hard, play hard environment. An example, would be the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) day in which a number of the team are hiking the Yorkshire three peaks to fundraise money for a charity, Action for Children.

What has your career journey been to get you where you are today?

I started working life as a science teacher in a secondary school which wasn’t a great fit for me. I then stumbled into Pensions Administration at MyCSP and then got a job with KPMG which later transitioned to Isio. I’ve recently been successful in my application internally for a promotion to senior Pensions Administrator.

What do you get up to at the weekends?

I tend to spend most of my weekends either hiking out in the hills or dancing the nights away at salsa nights across the UK/Europe. If I’m not doing either of these things then I’m being persuaded to bake cinnamon rolls or climbing fake rocks at the local climbing centre.

Tell us one bit of advice you’d give someone coming into the industry?

Make lots and lots of notes, don’t be afraid to ask for training. Pensions is a wonderful industry to work in; but you won’t know everything immediately and that’s absolutely ok because no-one grows up thinking about pensions!

Gemma

How many years have you been in the industry?

16 years (including a 7 year break).

What’s your job title and location?

I’m a Pension Administrator based in Croydon.

“The work/life balance is great. I have two small children and I needed the understanding and flexibility to be able to be a mum and an employee. I feel I get that balance here.”

What’s your favourite thing about working in Pensions Administration?

The diversity of the work. One day you can be processing someone’s retirement benefits and the next dealing with death cases which can be complex and interesting!

Tell us about your experience working for Isio – what makes it such a great place to work?

Flexibility and understanding. I have two small children and I needed the understanding and flexibility to be able to be a mum and an employee. I feel I get that balance here. The work/life balance is great.

What has your career journey been to get you where you are today?

I started out working for recruitment agency who placed me with Mercer when I was 18. After temping with Mercer they then offered me a permanent contract and I was there for 8 years and became a Senior Administrator before leaving to have my firstborn. I then had a 7 year break and another child. An employee of Premier then told me of a part-time Pension Administration job opportunity and passed my CV on. I had my interview and started here in September 2020.

What do you get up to at the weekends?

My weekends are full of children’s clubs! We also attend our local Catholic Church. I really enjoy reading and anything historical too.

Tell us one bit of advice you’d give someone coming into the industry?

Make lots of notes, every pension scheme is different and has its own quirks. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you think something seems wrong. Be prepared to have to go through very old archive files!

Afsaneh

How many years have you been in the industry?

3 and a half years.

What’s your job title and location?

I am a Pensions Administrator based in the Reading office.

“The pensions industry is growing day by day and working within pensions is a great opportunity to be part of a massively important industry which can guarantee you a career.”

What’s your favourite thing about working in Pensions Administration?

I love mathematics, which I studied at university and before that at school. Also I know I am very good at organising and managing my workloads – I found this position (Pension Admin) a great mixture of math and managements which are my favourite fields. I am enjoying both sides of this work. Understanding pensions is difficult and you need a mathematical background.

Tell us about your experience working for Isio – what makes it such a great place to work?

I was a trainee for 2 years at a different firm, and since joining Isio in April 2021 I have had the chance to show my abilities, have more responsibility and prove myself. Now after one year at Isio I am handling 2 busy schemes and have learned so much because they trusted me and help me to grow faster. Isio is a great place to grow and learn more, because here everyone is so supportive and caring, they trust people and give everyone the same chances. There is no discrimination and all depends on you to improve or not.

What do you get up to at the weekends?

I spend time with family and friends. I don’t think about work and focus on my personal life, to be able to get back to work fresh on Monday.

Tell us one bit of advice you’d give someone coming into the industry?

If you don’t enjoy math and admin duties, it might be hard to enjoy the job. I also believe that pensions is a massive industry and is growing so fast, it is very important as every employee counts on their pensions for their future. This industry is growing day by day and learning pensions is a great opportunity to be part of a massively important industry which can guarantee a career.

Anything else you think may be good to share?

Working in pensions makes you feel you are helping people who are looking to find a better way to receive their benefits by helping them through their options. After a retirement set up it’s great to know that you have helped someone relax and be able to enjoy their retirement worry free.

Danielle

How many years have you been in the industry?

4 and a half.

What’s your job title and location?

I’m a Senior Pensions Administrator based in Birmingham.

“I get to speak to and support a variety of people through different stages of their lives, such as retirements, bereavements etc- which can be challenging, but rewarding.”

What’s your favourite thing about working in Pensions Administration?

Every day is different and brings a new challenge. There is a great, supportive team working alongside you, who keep you going every day and motivate you to work hard! I get to speak to and support a variety of people through different stages of their lives, such as retirements, bereavements etc- which can be challenging, but rewarding.

Tell us about your experience working for Isio – what makes it such a great place to work?

The team that I work alongside are brilliant, always up for a laugh and a joke, but also incredibly hard working, driven and want the best for the members we look after. Since joining as an apprentice, I have been given the opportunity to learn and grow at my own pace, and was pushed to achieve my goal of promotion.

What has your career journey been to get you where you are today?

I started my career as a fresh faced 18 year old, after completing my A Levels. ‘Pensions Admin’ was probably not where I thought I would end up, after all, it is a little niche to grow up wanting to be a Pensions Administrator! With the support of some wonderful colleagues, I have been given the opportunity to learn, study and develop an incredible amount of exposure to everything Pensions Admin has to offer in a relatively short space of time. This year, I was given the opportunity to take up a new role as Senior Pensions Administrator, which I am very proud that I have achieved in my 4 years here!

What do you get up to at the weekends?

I spend most of my time with family, whether that be chilling at home, buying a ridiculous amount of takeaways/meals out, or visiting National Trust Sites. I’m also a Villa fan, which often ruins weekends…

Tell us one bit of advice you’d give someone coming into the industry?

Take it in your stride and don’t be afraid of attempting something new. Open yourself up to gaining as much exposure as possible to new challenges, it is only by facing these things head on that you learn so much.