Spotlight on… Rebecca Cook and choosing recruitment over forensic science

September 11, 2020

Meet Rebecca Cook, our Group Recruitment Manager, who sources talented people to fill our vacancies across the whole of PIB Group, as well as other interesting projects in the pipeline including promoting PIB Group externally as an employer of choice. She shares more about her 17 years of experience in recruitment, what attracted her to PIB, life outside of work and an interesting tipple that runs in her family.

Tell us a bit about yourself…

I have worked in recruitment for 17 years and have specialised solely in the insurance and financial services industry. My previous role was at Zurich Insurance where I looked after their graduate, intern and apprenticeship programme as well as managing campaigns around diversity and inclusion and flexible working. However, my career choice after leaving school was actually to be a forensic scientist (I watch too much CSI) but I happily stayed in recruitment as I love meeting people and helping them to develop their teams as well as their own personal careers.

What attracted you to PIB as a career destination?

The people! I was approached via LinkedIn about the Group Recruitment Manager opportunity to see if it was a role I would be interested in and from that very first call I knew that PIB was the perfect company for me.

And how is life so far at PIB since joining during lockdown? 

From my first initial call, through to interview and onboarding it has all been done via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. I have been hugely impressed with how PIB have approached their recruitment and also once I was onboard, making me feel part of the team. Microsoft Teams has been invaluable with being able to meet people virtually and getting to know them. I have recently started visiting our various sites including Retford, London, Gloucester, Croydon and Hemel so it’s been great to finally meet a lot of people in person!

Tell us one interesting fact about yourself?

My Great, Great, Great Grandfather invented a very famous whisky which is still very popular today.  He was a very religious man so when he died, he left all his money to the Church so in Ireland there is a church dedicated to him with a memorial. The drink is called Jameson’s Whisky.

Biggest achievement?

That’s an easy one! My daughter Eloise who is soon to be a teenager and my best friend. She goes to a performing arts school so keeps me busy with endless dance runs and dance shows.

What is your best piece of careers advice you would give?

Always acknowledge people who help you. I think it’s important to leave a lasting impression and a simple thank you goes a long way. We meet many people in our careers who have helped us in some way to get us to where we are now and is important to recognise that.

How do you relax outside of work?

Taking time away from my computer and my phone which I seemed to be glued to throughout the week for work. I live in Bournemouth next to the New Forest so love going for long walks with my dog Teddy.

Welcome Rebecca!

If you’re interested in joining PIB Group, why not check out our latest vacancies here on our careers page. Or read more about our colleagues across PIB and why they love working at PIB, on our website here.