National Apprenticeship Week 2026: Alfie Merrison - Finding His Feet

Before we talk about where Alfie Merrison started, let us take a moment to look at where he is now.

A big congratulations is in order because Alfie has been named 'Apprentice of the Year 2026' by MetaGedu, recognising his exceptional commitment and teamwork throughout his apprenticeship.

The award celebrates technical development and recognises how Alfie embraced learning, responsibility and teamwork since day one. Celebrating the impact he has already made within the business, it is a thoroughly well-earned recognition and reflects his journey so far within the Group.

Where It All Began

Alfie did not come to insurance by accident - as so many of us do - but he did come looking for a career he could build.

After spending eight years in retail and studying economics at university, Alfie joined Rokstone as an apprentice, entering a field he did not fully understand at first. However, with a bit of research, he quickly found his footing.

What surprised him was not the role itself but rather the sheer scale of the business. Seeing how global events ripple through different classes of business, speaking to underwriters and working across a wide variety of disciplines gave Alfie early exposure to how the market really works.

Diving Deeper into the Role

Learning also extended beyond technical knowledge. As part of a dynamic team, Alfie was entrusted with responsibilities and received support throughout the process.

He said, “I have got a lot of people around me who are really willing to help. I have taken full advantage of that.”

That combination of support, challenge and access to experience helped Alfie grow faster than he expected.

He said, “I feel like I have grown a lot personally in this role. Getting to integrate into the team early on and build my confidence helped me expand into my role and allowed me to progress faster than I usually would have without those things.”

His curiosity and willingness to learn have defined his experience as an apprentice. Now that he is no longer the new apprentice in the office, Alfie is eager to share what he has learned. He offers his knowledge and support to help others find their footing and, ultimately, their place in the industry, just as he did.