United Kingdom · Finance · Lead (8-12 years)

Lead Claims Adjuster

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

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Free to start: a plan built for this role, and a Future Fluency module to try first. No card.

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One email: what AI is changing in this job, and where to start free. With a link back here. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

Also at another level: the Senior Claims Adjuster job description.

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  • Experience bandLead (8-12 years)
  • Direct reportsNo direct reports
  • Reports toClaims Manager
  • UK framework levelUsually a manager, or the deepest specialist in a team

Also advertised as Complex Claims Specialist · Major Loss Adjuster · Technical Claims Lead · Senior Claims Consultant

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in qualifications employers recognise

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate In Providing Financial Services City & Guilds Limited · Level 3 · covers 3 of 10 standards
City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Providing Financial Services City & Guilds Limited · Level 3 · covers 2 of 10 standards
Highfield Level 3 Certificate in Providing Financial Services (RQF) Highfield Qualifications · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards
City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate In Providing Financial Services City & Guilds Limited · Level 2 · covers 2 of 10 standards
Highfield Level 2 Certificate in Providing Financial Services (RQF) Highfield Qualifications · Level 2 · covers 1 of 10 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Settling complex insurance claims City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate In Providing Financial Services
Underwriting complex new risks Highfield Level 3 Certificate in Providing Financial Services (RQF)
Contributing to the delivery and achievement of team and business objectives in a financial services environment City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate In Providing Financial Services
Dealing with straightforward claims for insured losses Highfield Level 2 Certificate in Providing Financial Services (RQF)

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly
Systems Fluency seeing the whole picture
Your Plan Illustration

Built for Lead Claims Adjuster

4 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Settling complex insurance claims City & Guilds Limited · covers 3 of 10 standards Level 3
  2. Underwriting complex new risks Highfield Qualifications · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 3
  3. Contributing to the delivery and achievement of team and business objectives in a financial services environment City & Guilds Limited · covers 2 of 10 standards Level 2
  4. Dealing with straightforward claims for insured losses Highfield Qualifications · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 2
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a Lead Claims Adjuster?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • AI-Driven Ethical Decision Making
  • Advanced Data Storytelling & Visualisation
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your Lead Claims Adjuster plan as you set up, starting with a Future Fluency module on using AI in your job. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

3What this role really is

A lead claims adjuster handles the hardest claims, including multi-million pound losses and complex liability disputes. You untangle facts, policy wording and legal detail to reach a fair resolution, balancing financial exposure against a fair outcome for the customer.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

Guidewire ClaimCenter Expert

You'll be configuring workflows for your team, pulling non-standard reports for strategic analysis, and using the system to manage the most complex claims involving multiple parties and coverages. You're seen as a system expert.

Xactimate / CCC ONE Advanced

You'll be handling complex, large-loss estimates, justifying non-standard line items, and defending estimates against aggressive contractor or body shop disputes. You'll also be training others on advanced features.

OnBase by Hyland Advanced

You'll be designing and managing document workflows for complex claims, performing quality control audits, and using advanced search functions to compile comprehensive evidence for litigation files.

Power BI / Tableau Advanced

You'll be creating custom reports to analyse major claim trends, identify potential fraud indicators on specific claim types, or track subrogation success rates for your complex claims unit. You're building the dashboards, not just viewing them.

LexisNexis / Westlaw Intermediate

You'll be researching case law, legal precedents, and state-specific regulations to support complex liability decisions, coverage interpretations, and to build a robust defence strategy for litigated files.

MS Teams / Outlook Advanced

You'll be organising and leading virtual settlement conferences with multiple parties, coordinating with various experts (engineers, medical, legal), and maintaining clear, defensible communication logs for litigated and high-exposure files.

SAP S/4HANA (Finance Module) Intermediate

You'll be reconciling payment discrepancies on large claims, managing block-level reserve changes, and working closely with the Finance team to resolve complex payment issues and ensure accurate GL coding for major losses.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Settlement Authority Up to £5K (with supervisor approval) Up to £50K (independent on routine claims, manager sign-off for exceptions) Up to £250K (independent, manager informed for significant claims)
Expert Witness Engagement Suggesting experts to supervisor Selecting from approved vendor list (up to £5K spend) Selecting and engaging specialists (up to £25K spend), consulting Director for higher
Litigation Strategy Following supervisor's instructions for litigated files Executing defined litigation plan, escalating deviations Proposing litigation strategy to Director/Legal, executing approved plan
Policy Interpretation on Ambiguous Clauses Escalate all ambiguous policy questions to supervisor Researching and proposing interpretations for review Making technical interpretations, consulting Legal for high-risk cases

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Loss Adjustment Expense (LAE) Ratio on Major Losses
The cost to handle your assigned complex claims (e.g., legal fees, expert reports) as a percentage of the indemnity paid.
Target · Keep LAE ratio for assigned major loss files below 12%.

If a £1M claim costs £100,000 in legal and expert fees, your LAE ratio is 10%. We want to see you managing these costs tightly without compromising investigation quality.

Reserve Accuracy on Complex Claims
The variance between your initial reserve setting and the final payout on major loss claims. This shows how well you predict the ultimate cost.
Target · Maintain reserve accuracy within a +/- 10% variance on claims over £250K.

You set a reserve of £750K for a complex bodily injury claim. The final settlement is £700K. That's a 7.1% variance, which is within target. If it was £500K, we'd be asking questions.

Subrogation Recovery Rate on Major Losses
The percentage of identified subrogation opportunities on your complex claims that are successfully recovered from at-fault third parties.
Target · Achieve an 80%+ recovery rate on all subrogation referrals from your files.

You identify £500K in potential subrogation on five major property claims. If we recover £450K, that's a 90% recovery rate. Every pound recovered directly reduces our net loss.

Litigation Resolution Time for Assigned Files
The average time from a claim entering litigation to its final resolution (settlement or judgment) for your caseload.
Target · Reduce average litigation lifecycle for assigned files by 10% year-on-year.

Last year, your litigated files took an average of 18 months to resolve. This year, we'd want to see that drop to 16.2 months, showing proactive management and negotiation.

Strategic Claims Handling & Risk Mitigation
Your ability to develop and execute a clear, defensible strategy for each major loss claim, anticipating potential issues and proactively mitigating risks.
  • You're consistently presenting well-thought-out claims strategies in case reviews. You're identifying emerging legal or policy interpretation risks early. Your recommendations are regularly adopted by management. You're seen as the 'go-to' person for complex problem-solving.
Mentorship & Technical Guidance
How effectively you guide and develop junior and mid-level adjusters, sharing your expertise and helping them navigate their own complex files.
  • Junior adjusters actively seek your advice. You're leading informal training sessions or workshops. Your input on other adjusters' files leads to improved outcomes. You're helping others avoid common pitfalls and make better decisions.
Stakeholder Influence & Collaboration
Your skill in building consensus and influencing outcomes with internal legal, underwriting, and finance teams, as well as external counsel and experts.
  • You're regularly invited to high-level discussions on policy wording or legal strategy. You're able to get different departments on the same page for complex claim resolutions. External counsel respects your judgment and actively seeks your input.
Compliance & Regulatory Adherence
Ensuring all claims handling activities, especially on high-profile cases, strictly adhere to regulatory requirements and internal governance frameworks.
  • Your files consistently pass internal and external audits with no major findings. You're proactively identifying and addressing potential compliance gaps in complex scenarios. You're seen as an authority on regulatory best practices within the claims team.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Solving Complex Puzzles

You get a genuine kick out of unravelling complicated scenarios, piecing together disparate facts, and finding the 'aha!' moment that clarifies a difficult claim. The more ambiguous, the better.

Spending an afternoon cross-referencing medical records with accident reports to pinpoint the exact cause of injury, or finding the obscure policy clause that clarifies coverage.

Protecting Financial Interests

You're driven by the responsibility of safeguarding the company's assets. Every smart decision you make on a major loss feels like a win, knowing you've prevented unnecessary expenditure.

Successfully negotiating a settlement for £500K when the initial demand was £1.5M, knowing that £1M saving directly impacts the bottom line.

Being the Technical Expert

You enjoy being the person everyone else turns to for answers on the really tough questions. You like knowing you have the deepest understanding of policy, law, and claims strategy in your area.

Junior adjusters regularly ping you for advice on complex liability questions, or you're asked to present on a specific claims topic to the wider team.

What frustrates people
  • Dealing with plaintiff's solicitors who use delay tactics or send wildly inflated demands, turning a straightforward claim into a year-long battle.
  • Trying to explain a complex policy exclusion to a distraught claimant who genuinely believes 'insurance should just cover it,' and you're the face of that 'fine print'.
  • Fighting with legacy claims management systems that crash frequently, require redundant data entry, or don't generate the reports you need.
  • Handling claims on terribly underwritten policies where the risk was never properly assessed, but you're the one left to manage the inevitable, massive loss.
  • The emotional toll of constantly interacting with people on what is often the worst day of their lives, especially on severe injury or fatality claims.
What this role does not give you
  • A predictable, routine caseload with easy answers.
  • A job where you're always popular or the bearer of good news.
  • Complete autonomy without any oversight, especially on major financial decisions.
  • A quiet, solitary work environment; you'll be interacting with people constantly.

8Who you work with

You'll directly impact our loss ratios and overall profitability by effectively managing the largest and most complex claims. Your decisions will set precedents and influence how we approach similar claims in the future. Frankly, you're a key defence against significant financial leakage.

Inside the business
  • Claims Managers and Directors
  • Underwriting Team (especially for complex policy reviews)
  • Legal Department (internal counsel)
  • Finance Team (for reserving and large loss reporting)
  • Reinsurance Team
Outside the business
  • Claimant's Solicitors/Barristers
  • Forensic Experts (engineers, medical, accident reconstruction)
  • Loss Adjusters (external firms)
  • High-value Claimants
  • Regulators

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • At least 5 years of experience as a Senior Claims Adjuster, having independently managed a full caseload of moderately complex claims (e.g., injury auto, standard homeowner, commercial property).
  • Demonstrable experience in handling claims involving litigation, commercial policies, or significant bodily injury, including direct negotiation with solicitors.
  • A proven track record of accurate reserve setting and effective claims resolution, showing a strong understanding of financial impact.
  • Experience in mentoring or providing informal guidance to junior colleagues, sharing knowledge and best practices.
  • A solid grasp of UK insurance contract law and civil liability principles.
  • Proficiency with a major claims management system (e.g., Guidewire ClaimCenter) and estimation software (Xactimate/CCC ONE).

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Cyber Claims & Digital Forensics Understanding

Critical within 6-12 months. Cyber insurance is a rapidly growing area, and you'll increasingly encounter claims involving data breaches, ransomware, and business interruption from cyber incidents. You'll need to understand the technical aspects of these events.

Common Cyber Attack Vectors · Digital Forensic Investigation Process · Business Interruption in Cyber Claims · Regulatory Reporting for Data Breaches

  • This month: Read industry reports on recent cyber claims trends and common attack types.
  • Next quarter: Shadow a cyber claims specialist or attend an internal briefing on our cyber policy wordings.
  • Month 3-6: Complete an online introductory course on cybersecurity fundamentals or digital forensics.
  • Month 6-12: Volunteer to assist on a cyber claim, even in a supporting role, to gain practical exposure.

Quick win: Familiarise yourself with our company's cyber insurance policy wording and the common exclusions. Understand what's covered and what isn't.

Parametric Insurance Claims Handling

Important within 18-24 months. Parametric insurance, which pays out based on pre-defined triggers (e.g., earthquake magnitude, rainfall levels) rather than actual loss, is gaining traction. You'll need to understand how these policies work and their unique claims process.

Trigger Event Verification · Payout Calculation Mechanisms · Difference from Indemnity Insurance · Data Oracles & Blockchain in Parametric Claims

  • This month: Research what parametric insurance is and how it's being used in the market.
  • Next quarter: Look for internal or external webinars on parametric products and their claims processes.
  • Month 3-6: Discuss with our Product Development or Underwriting teams about any parametric products we might be exploring.
  • Month 6-12: Offer to help develop internal guidelines for handling potential parametric claims.

Quick win: Read a few articles on how parametric insurance works for natural disasters or agricultural risks. It's a different way of thinking about claims entirely.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regularly attending industry seminars and conferences on emerging risks, insurance law updates, and claims technology.
  • Participating in specialist claims forums or working groups, both internally and externally, to share knowledge and best practices.
  • Undertaking advanced negotiation training, particularly focused on high-stakes, multi-party disputes.
  • Mentoring junior colleagues and actively contributing to internal training programmes.
  • Staying current with legal precedents and regulatory changes through legal journals and professional subscriptions.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

AI-Driven Ethical Decision Making

Critical within 12 months. As AI takes on more routine claims tasks, your role shifts to validating its outputs and making the truly ethical, nuanced decisions that AI can't. You'll need to understand AI's limitations and biases to ensure fair outcomes.

  • Algorithmic Bias Detection
  • Explainable AI (XAI)
  • Human-in-the-Loop Validation
  • Ethical Guidelines for AI in Claims

Advanced Data Storytelling & Visualisation

Important within 12-18 months. You're already using Power BI, but the expectation will shift from just creating reports to crafting compelling narratives from complex claims data. You'll need to present not just numbers, but the 'so what' and 'what next' to senior leadership and the board.

  • Narrative Structure for Data
  • Visual Best Practices
  • Audience-Centric Reporting
  • Interactive Dashboards

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Advanced Policy Interpretation & Coverage Analysis
  • Complex Liability Assessment & Apportionment
  • Major Loss Damage Valuation & Quantum Analysis
  • Forensic Investigation & Evidence Management
  • Strategic Subrogation & Recovery

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    Senior Claims Adjuster (Internal Promotion)

    3-5 years as a Senior Adjuster

    Skills to master

    • Deep expertise in a specific line of business, consistent high performance on complex files, informal mentorship of junior staff, strong negotiation skills, and a proven ability to manage litigation.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Consistently handling claims with settlement authority up to £250K with minimal oversight.
    • Being the 'go-to' person for complex technical questions within your team.
    • Successfully resolving several high-profile or litigated claims.
    • Actively participating in internal training or knowledge-sharing sessions.
  2. 2

    Claims Adjuster from Specialist Firm (e.g., Loss Adjusting)

    8-10 years experience in a specialist loss adjusting firm or legal practice focused on insurance defence.

    Skills to master

    • Broad exposure to diverse claim types, strong investigative and reporting skills, client management (insurer side), and a deep understanding of quantum assessment.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Experience managing a portfolio of high-value, complex claims for various insurers.
    • Proven ability to produce detailed, defensible reports and recommendations.
    • Strong understanding of the insurer's perspective on claims management and risk.
    • Comfortable transitioning from a fee-earning model to an internal claims handling role.
  3. 3

    Solicitor from Insurance Defence Practice

    5-8 years post-qualification experience in an insurance defence or civil litigation practice.

    Skills to master

    • Litigation strategy, evidence management, legal research, negotiation, and understanding of court procedures. You'll need to learn the 'insurer's hat' quickly.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Extensive experience managing a caseload of litigated insurance claims.
    • Strong track record of successful settlements or trial outcomes.
    • Desire to move in-house and apply legal expertise directly to claims management.
    • An understanding of the commercial realities and financial impact of claims for an insurer.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This work can lead to managing claims teams, becoming the technical authority on major loss claims, or moving into senior claims leadership.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how Lead Claims Adjuster is actually changing.

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Settling complex insurance claims, worked against Lead Claims Adjuster.

Settling complex insurance claims Level 3

Applied to your work in Lead Claims Adjuster

The objective of this unit is to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to understand the roles and responsibilities within the insurance industry, interpret insurance policies, and effectively settle complex insurance claims. Learners will be able to obtain and provide information, negotiate settlements, maintain accurate records, and consider appropriate actions for claim resolution. This includes understanding the process, factors, and documentation involved in settling complex claims.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

See Your Progress Grow Illustration
Lead Claims Adjuster
  • Advanced Policy Interpretation & Coverage Analysis
  • Complex Liability Assessment & Apportionment
  • Major Loss Damage Valuation & Quantum Analysis
  • Forensic Investigation & Evidence Management
  • Strategic Subrogation & Recovery
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

Lead Claims Adjuster is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. Claims Manager

    3-5 years as a Lead Claims Adjuster

    L5 (Principal/Manager)

    • Quality Assurance & Auditing Implementing and overseeing quality control processes for claims files.
    • Training & Development Programme Design Creating and delivering training for claims staff.
    • Workforce Planning Forecasting staffing needs and participating in recruitment.
    • Strategic Reporting Presenting team performance and insights to senior leadership.
  2. Principal Claims Specialist (Individual Contributor)

    3-5 years as a Lead Claims Adjuster

    L5 (Principal/Manager - IC Track)

    • Advanced Analytics & Modelling Developing sophisticated models for loss forecasting, fraud detection, or claims segmentation.
    • Policy Product Development Input Providing expert claims input into the design of new insurance products.
    • Reinsurance Optimisation Working with the reinsurance team to structure treaties that best protect against major losses.
    • Regulatory Foresight Anticipating future regulatory changes and their impact on claims handling.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Let's be real, a Lead Claims Adjuster's time is precious. You're dealing with our most complex, high-value claims, and every minute counts. Imagine if you could cut down on the tedious, repetitive tasks and focus more on the strategic thinking, negotiation, and deep investigation that truly moves the needle. Well, you can. AI isn't here to replace you; it's here to make you incredibly more effective.

We're investing in AI tools that act like your personal claims assistant, handling the grunt work so you can apply your expertise where it matters most. Think less time sifting through documents and more time crafting winning strategies. Here's a glimpse of how AI will change your day-to-day work:

Automated FNOL Intake & Triage

AI processes incoming claim notifications—emails, web forms, even call transcripts—to automatically create a claim file in Guidewire, identify the policy, and assign it to the right team. For complex claims, it'll flag key details for your immediate attention. This means less data entry for you and faster initial response times.

AI-Powered Damage Assessment

Upload photos of property or vehicle damage, and our AI will analyse them, identify damaged components, and generate a preliminary estimate in Xactimate or CCC ONE. It'll even flag areas that might need a human expert's eye. This saves you hours on initial scoping and helps you challenge inflated estimates more effectively.

Legal & Medical Summary Generator

Imagine AI scanning hundreds of pages of medical records, legal discovery documents, or expert reports and spitting out a concise, chronologically ordered summary. It highlights key injuries, treatments, legal arguments, or inconsistencies, letting you grasp the core facts in minutes instead of hours. This is a game-changer for complex bodily injury or litigation files.

Intelligent Correspondence Drafting

Need to draft a complex denial letter, a Reservation of Rights (ROR) letter, or a nuanced settlement offer? You provide the key facts and your strategic intent, and AI generates a compliant, empathetic first draft. You then review, refine, and send. This dramatically cuts down on drafting time for critical communications, ensuring consistency and accuracy.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a Lead Claims Adjuster?

Common routes in include Senior Claims Adjuster (Internal Promotion) (3-5 years as a Senior Adjuster), Claims Adjuster from Specialist Firm (e.g., Loss Adjusting) (8-10 years experience in a specialist loss adjusting firm or legal practice focused on insurance defence.) and Solicitor from Insurance Defence Practice (5-8 years post-qualification experience in an insurance defence or civil litigation practice.). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Lead Claims Adjuster progress to?

This role can lead on to Claims Manager (3-5 years as a Lead Claims Adjuster) and Principal Claims Specialist (Individual Contributor) (3-5 years as a Lead Claims Adjuster), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Lead Claims Adjuster?

Increasingly, AI-Driven Ethical Decision Making and Advanced Data Storytelling & Visualisation. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

Free tools

Want a read on where you stand?

Three free tools, no account needed. Each one ends with a role, a level and a way in.

17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 5

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

This job at other levels
More jobs in finance

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.

If you leave this industry

Expertise in complex liability and major loss claims transfers well. It can lead to reinsurance claims work, managing claims programmes for a corporate broker's clients, or a role in an insurance defence firm. These skills are sought after across financial services and legal sectors.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my Lead Claims Adjuster plan, free What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.