Senior Environmental Underwriter

Description:

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Environmental Underwriter / Head of Environmental to join the Markel team in our London office. Our International Casualty business will form part of our newly created Specialty Division (together with Marine & Energy Liability, Trade Credit, Political Risk & Surety and Equine & Livestock). The team will be focussed on building a market leading portfolio of diverse environmental liability business from the London market and other international hubs, whilst ensuring long-term profitability of the account. The portfolio is expected to consist of both premises and contractors. Premises risks will include manufacturing, downstream and renewable energy, warehousing, public sector, retail and commercial. Contractor risks will include construction (commercial, residential, and industrial), site clearance, demolition, excavation, HVAC and plumbers and consultants. The portfolio will be a balance of both primary and excess of loss placements. Distribution will be through a broad range of broking and distribution partners, providing a balance of open market business and strictly controlled delegated underwriting facilities where appropriate.

An exceptional level of service will be provided to our clients, working closely with a specialist claims team to deliver the best possible experience. An emphasis will be placed on long term partnerships with both brokers and clients, and the team will travel as required to build and maintain distribution networks and client relationships across target territories. There is a strong focus on a collaborative team mentality and having a support structure in place to help all associates achieve their goals. We will work collaboratively with our colleagues in our Australia and Asia locations. We write business on both Syndicate 3000 paper at Lloyd’s and through Markel International Insurance Company Limited.

What you’ll be doing:

• Work with the Director of International Casualty to develop the Environmental Liability account, underwriting a market leading portfolio of diverse business from the London market and other international hubs whilst ensuring long-term profitability
• Work with the Director of International Casualty on sculpting the Environmental Liability portfolio business plan
• Provide leadership, oversight and accountability for the London wholesale Environmental Liability account
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and provide performance feedback to direct reports
• To ensure the business is maintained in line with key performance indicators
• Champion continuous development of associates to ensure all team members reach their potential
• Confidently and positively demonstrate the field of our chosen underwriting approach
• Monitor and report on portfolio performance utilising all available MI tools
• Prioritise customer experience with best-in-class response times to all partners
• Demonstrate sound underwriting judgement whilst continuously scrutinising performance against plan and adjust approach if required
• Ensure the team adhere to Binder Management guidelines, including underwriting controls and bordereaux management
• Prioritise the team’s underwriting strategy and diligently adhere to it at all times
• Apply appropriate underwriting practices in line with authority and guideline control
• Apply appropriate risk management practices including aggregation management, governance controls and any measures required to monitor exposures within plan / agreed limits
• Travel as required to represent Markel and deliver the business plan
• Identify own and direct report’s skill gaps and proactively find training solutions as required

Our must haves:

• Have significant experience underwriting a wholesale book in the Environmental Liability market
• Have specific open market and delegated underwriting experience covering a broad range of trades and territories, with a technical grasp of current risk factors and underwriting concerns, as well as an understanding of the global insurance marketplace for environmental liability
• Demonstrate strong numerical and analytical ability
• Have excellent communication skills
• Have experience managing an Underwriting team
• Demonstrate being an active member of a team and contribute to an open environment
• Have a strong network of London and international distribution channels