At Admiral, we’re proud to be an employer for life and offer jobs with career progression. Some of our most inspiring stories come from people who had a willingness to learn and grow. Shay Dame’s journey is a shining example of where a career at Admiral can take you.
Shay joined Admiral Law in 2012, just two weeks after its launch. Armed with a photography degree, he joined with no background in law but the right attitude towards work. More than a decade later, it’s safe to say it’s gone pretty well. His rise to Head of Business Intelligence and Change proves that with the right support and mindset, career progression is possible no matter where you begin.
From his first days in the contact centre all the way to leading large-scale transformation projects, Shay’s path reflects the unique opportunities for career progression in insurance and legal services at Admiral. His story shows exactly why career progression is important, both professionally and personally. We sat down with Shay to find out more about his career journey and the support he’s received during his time here.
What did your path into a career in law look like?
“I studied photography at the University of Central Lancashire, and after graduating, I moved to Cornwall. I quickly found there weren’t many stable opportunities there so I decided to cast my net wider and applied for anything and everything back in South Wales!
That’s when I landed a temporary contract as a complaint handler, until I finally found Admiral for a permanent position. I didn’t realise how big the company was at the time, or the kind of career progression it could offer. I started as a New Business Consultant in the contact centre, with no legal experience and no set expectations, just an open mind.”
What attracted you to joining Admiral Law in the first place?
“The financial climate wasn’t great for graduates at the time and I was looking for a stable role. Admiral offered a friendly environment and once I got here, I realised how much opportunity there was to develop, even for someone like me without a traditional law background.”
What was your first role here and what stands out most about those first few months?
“I started as a New Business Consultant in the contact centre. It really felt like a startup back then. The culture was new, exciting, and open to ideas. Nothing was off the table and it was friendly, energetic, and full of people who wanted to make something great together.”
When did you know that Admiral was the right place for you to progress in your career?
“I realised early on that Admiral supports people who want to learn. It wasn’t about what was on my CV, it was about being willing to grow and keep developing. That’s when I understood how much career progression was possible here.
I spotted knowledge gaps within the team and decided to challenge myself by studying a part-time postgraduate degree in Computer Science through the University of York, all while working full time here. That period, especially during COVID, was tough. I’d close my work laptop and immediately open my personal one to study.
It was during this journey that I realised Admiral was the right place for me to grow when I saw how much value was put in people who take ownership of their growth. Don’t wait for your manager to tell you what to do. I regularly ask myself “what can I do better at?” It’s important to have self-awareness and be proactive about your own experiences.”
How would you describe the culture at Admiral Law?
“My team is made up of people who want to see the business succeed and do well. Colleagues are always coming up with new and innovative ideas. There’s a big appetite within the team to always do better. Everyone cares, and people want to learn, which is important.
People in my team have come from other areas of the business, which is great. There’s never an expectation to know things, but there is an expectation to be ready to learn.”
What is the best thing about working at Admiral Law for you?
“As a trans man, I came out whilst working at Admiral. “Be You” isn’t just a slogan, the business really means it, and it’s put into practice every day. When I came out, my manager sent me a personal video of support. Admiral and its colleagues have supported me through big life events.
I don’t have to worry about people’s perception of things I can’t control. You can’t be what you can’t see, and Admiral truly is a place where you can Be You.”
What makes working at Admiral different to other places?
“The culture doesn’t feel forced. Being yourself has been a principle since day one. You don’t have to wear a shirt and smart shoes to succeed or do well in your job. Compared to other places of work, everyone is very approachable and there’s no hierarchy, it’s a very flat structure.”
How does Admiral encourage progression?
“Admiral funded my Management of Portfolios (Foundation & Practitioner) qualifications and gave me time off to complete them. I’ve also had mentorship from senior managers across the business.
I’m in regular contact with the Data Academy and the Change Community from a learning and development perspective, which has really supported my ongoing career progression.”
What’s a moment or project from your time at Admiral that you’re particularly proud of?
“I led the migration of our phone system during COVID, moving from a desk-based system to a modern cloud-based solution to fit the needs of the business. It was our first point of contact for customers, so we needed to get it right. It was a costly project, and it gave me great exposure to other stakeholders within the business. I learnt invaluable lessons from delivering that project.”
What’s been the biggest challenge in your journey so far?
“Self-learning is great, but challenging. When you don’t come from a legal, IT or technical background, you need to have the ability to put your hand up and say you don’t understand and ask colleagues to explain certain scenarios in a different way. That’s a good skill to have.”
What advice would you give to someone considering a career at Admiral Law?
“Don’t turn down experiences just because they’re not the traditional path. People come into the world of law and think they need a training contract, but that’s not always the case.
Say yes to any opportunity and give it a go, you have no idea where it will lead. I joined on the phones and went down a very wiggly, non-traditional path. Being creative gives you a different perspective, even in the least creative situations, and that’s a benefit.”
Finally, what’s next for you in your career with Admiral?
“I’m focused on looking at how tech is going to impact the legal industry in years to come. I’m in a completely different place to where I started in the world of law. I’m also focused on passing on the knowledge I’ve learnt over the years to my team, to give them space to learn and challenge themselves.”
Your future could start here
Shay’s story shows how much can happen when you stay curious, challenge yourself, and say yes to new experiences. At Admiral Law, career progression isn’t about ticking boxes, it’s about helping people become the best version of themselves.
Explore roles at Admiral Law and start your journey.
