Local producers

There are two possible issues that your compliance officer may be flagging. The first is that any new account executive, in common with all other employees, is going to need to be assessed as competent for the job they are going to be doing. You will need to assess their competence for the classes of business you expect your new recruit to undertake.

The whole issue is simplified once your training and compliance scheme is up and running. Any new member of staff, whether experienced or new to the job, should automatically be included in the scheme, with a structured induction period.

Various methods of assessment can be used. Ensure you record the results and, once deemed to be competent, your new recruit should slot into your regular ongoing assessments of all staff.

The second issue is one of good practice in human-resources management.

Ensure you have a full work history over the past five to 10 years and any qualifications claimed should be seen (the original copied and put on the individual's training file). Always take up references; we would suggest two, both work related.

- Ian Ritchie, Managing director, RW Associates.