Advice on switching from an insurance trading desk to the sell side

I currently work on the buy side at an insurance firm on a derivatives desk covering GBP rates/inflation and XCCY. The role is fairly technical, but I’m not in a true risk-taking seat. Feels more like providing execution service for ALM/credit desk.

I enjoy the asset class, but the pace has slowed a lot recently and I don’t see that changing near-term. While the work-life balance and team are great, I’m finding myself under-stimulated and want to move into a more dynamic, risk-taking role.

I’m interested in moving to the sell side (ideally rates trading/structuring), but I’m struggling to understand:

- How realistic this move is from an insurance background

- What gaps I need to close (skills, experience)

- Whether I should target trading or structuring

- How people have successfully made a similar transition

For context:

- 1.5 years of experience (not much, I know) on the desk. Prior to that, I was in the middle office for a year at the same firm.

- Decent level of Python knowledge. Built a few internal pricing tool in python which didn’t exist before I joined

- Good understanding of rates products (IRS, inflation swaps, XCCY). Traded over 5 mm 01, with average clip size of 30k.

- Based in London

Would appreciate any advice from people who’ve made a similar move or who hire for these roles.

Should I stick it out for a bit longer?