How did you get into the insurance industry?
I joined IQUW in 2022 after graduating from university with a master’s degree in Materials Engineering. When I first went to university, I was set on becoming an engineer and wanted to work in either the aviation or sports technology industries. While I was studying, I realised that engineering was not going to be a long-term career for me, partly due to disruptions to the degree including COVID.
Some of my family work in insurance, so I knew a little about the industry, which led me to apply to join IQUW’s two-year graduate scheme. The scheme was brilliant as I got to rotate around the business, gaining insight into the functions and workflows across different lines of business I am now part of the Specialty Reinsurance team.
What do you like about Specialty Reinsurance?
I find the variety interesting as we look at several lines of business – Marine, Energy, Aviation, Aviation War, Cyber, Agriculture, and Accident & Health.
When I was on rotation during the graduate scheme, I worked on eight different teams, across both direct insurance and reinsurance ranging from D&O and Marine Liabilities to International Property Treaty. It was good to gain insights into the market dynamics and conditions for those respective classes of business that would aid me in my career development. I’ve enjoyed the transition from the direct insurance side of the business. Compared to reinsurance, there is a considerably more clients to deal with on a day-to-day basis, whereas in reinsurance there is a much smaller pool of people. You get to know everyone.
It’s a dynamic and interesting market – everyone is trying to grow and diversify their books and bring out new products. At IQUW, there’s a real emphasis on supporting emerging talent and I’ve been fortunate to benefit from opportunities to travel, meeting clients and brokers in person. It’s been a great way to learn from others in the industry, especially in Specialty Reinsurance, where many professionals are in their 30s and 40s and to gain exposure to new places and perspectives early in my career.
What attracted you to IQUW?
I was drawn to IQUW by its entrepreneurial energy and the opportunity to be part of something growing and evolving. It’s been inspiring to see how far the company has come and that momentum has created space for people like me to grow alongside it. The culture here encourages curiosity, development and getting involved early, which makes it a great environment for young professionals starting out in the industry.
What differentiates IQUW from other companies?
IQUW excels at getting in front of people rather than letting the business come to them. We’re committed to being present and accessible – whether that’s through hosting insightful events like IQUW Live, spending time at the Lloyd’s box, or travelling to meet clients and brokers face-to-face. It’s all part of how we build relationships and showcase the strength of our underwriting teams.
As we continue to see changing market conditions, it is more important than ever to differentiate ourselves from our competitors and keep pushing the book in the direction we want to take it. Because of our lead position in the market, we can be more selective about our clients, and we can fully utilise our cross-selling strategy by supporting selected clients on multiple placements across different lines of business.
Can you tell us a little about the Specialty team?
The Specialty team is going through an exciting period of growth and evolution. I was recently promoted to Underwriter, and we’ve recently welcomed Chris Parkes, who’s made a great transition from our Pricing team into Reinsurance – an example of how IQUW supports internal development and movement across departments. We’re also looking forward to a new Underwriter joining imminently, bringing fresh perspectives and experience. It’s a great time to be part of a dynamic and expanding team.
What are the main trends in Specialty Reinsurance?
A big topic at the moment is the impact of global geopolitical developments. Conflicts and instability around the world is having a noticeable effect on Marine pricing and coverages, and as events continue to unfold, we’re closely monitoring how these dynamics may influence the market in the longer term. It’s a constantly evolving landscape and staying informed is key to making sound underwriting decisions.
What are your aims and priorities, and what are you excited about?
I’m excited about my new role and the change in my responsibilities in the newly strengthened team. I’m looking forward to new challenges and hope to continue to grow and develop along with the team.
Find out more about Specialty Reinsurance here.
