Expectation vs Reality: My first year at Macbeth

This isn’t the first time I’ve written a blog, but when I was asked to write a personal one, I wasn’t quite sure where to begin (turns out, it’s much easier to write about Lithium Batteries). So, rather than stare at a blank screen, I decided to repurpose some of the excellent blogs my colleagues have already shared and tap into their creativity.

In this blog, I’ll share my experience at Macbeth as a Digital Marketing Executive through the lens of some of those blogs; what I expected when I arrived at Macbeth, what the culture is really like, and what it’s been like working with teams across the business.

Expectation vs Reality

I’d heard a lot about Macbeth from a family friend ,Liz Tournoff, a Macbeth employee whose blog “Bloggin `Ell” provides a great insight into her personality (and into perceptions of insurance itself). One line in particular sticks out: “My husband often asks me to talk about my day at work when he can’t sleep — in his words, it never fails to help him drift off.”

It made me think back to my interview, where I was asked what my own or my friends’  view of insurance might be. Honestly, my answer would have been along similar lines: a little dry, maybe even mundane, and not the most exciting thing in the world. But the more I read Liz’s blog, the clearer it became that she was playing on that stereotype. Through her writing, I started to see that there might be more to the industry and to Macbeth than the clichés.

So before joining, I felt like I had a rough idea of the culture, the people, and the atmosphere here. Even so, I was a little sceptical. Every company talks about how great they are, right?

But I quickly realised everything I’d heard wasn’t just the classic sales pitch. From the start, everyone was so approachable, which made settling in much easier than I expected. People went out of their way to answer questions and show me how things worked, so it never felt like I was on my own. Very quickly, it stopped feeling like “the new job” and I started feeling like I was part of the team. Knowing Liz, it’s now clear to see why she enjoys working here.

Day to Day

One thing I didn’t expect was just how varied the role would be, and that’s exactly what keeps it interesting. Charlie Bishop’s blog “From Beanie to Beret” provides a great insight into the reality of working in marketing and it’s variations, describing it as “the chameleon-like ability to adapt to various tasks and responsibilities”.

From website maintenance and analysis to client communications and social media, each task requires a different set of skills. This variety isn’t a challenge, it’s an opportunity. It means developing a wide range of skills and thinking both creatively and strategically. Becky Miles captures this juggling act in her blog “Is it Possible to Study, Work, and Be a Mum?”, where she talks about the power of multitasking and how she managed to balance her qualifications while being a mum.

That same variety is reflected in the work we do at Macbeth. Every client is different, with their own unique needs. Whether it’s Whole of Life, Contractors Combined, or High Value Homes, what makes this role interesting is the chance to learn from colleagues who are true specialists in their fields. With such a range of backgrounds and expertise across the team, it creates an environment where learning happens all the time and not just about insurance.

Working Across Teams

Working with different departments across the business means collaborating with people who bring their own expertise, experiences, and personalities. This is clearly visible in blogs like “From the Classroom to the Office”, “From Baker to Broker”, and “From House Keys to Key Person Cover”.

These blogs show how everyone’s individual experiences add valuable insights that help shape the business. Alex Dell’s “From Baker to Broker” shares how he went from someone who never set out to work in insurance, to someone who found fulfilment in helping business owners protect what they’ve built.

“From the Classroom to the Office” by Katie Ellis explores how skills like empathy often associated with teaching are just as valuable in the corporate world. Whether it’s helping a colleague settle in, or supporting a client through a difficult claim, the ability to understand and connect with others makes a lasting difference.

And Emma Ferguson’s “From House Keys to Key Person Cover” is a brilliant example of how major life changes, like becoming a parent, don’t have to limit your career. With the right support, flexibility, and encouragement, they can actually be the start of something even better.

Together, these blogs show how individual journeys and personal strengths help shape Macbeth and contribute to a culture that’s genuinely people-first. It’s not just about where someone came from, it’s about what they bring with them, and how that adds to the wider team.

What stands out most at Macbeth is the people, their stories, their experiences, and the way those differences come together to shape the business. From day one, it’s been clear that the culture here is something real, not just a line on a website.

And finally, as Alison Howe says in her blog: “Macbeth Insurance Brokers offer a second-to-none service that will ensure you can ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ (Bob Marley – 1976) every morning, knowing that you are adequately protected.”

If you’d like to feel more confident about life’s surprises and talk to people who genuinely care about helping, get in touch with Macbeth today on 0118 916 5480.