Head of Responsible Underwriting

Canopius is a global specialty lines (re)insurer writing on rated and Lloyd’s paper. We are one of the top 4 insurers in the Lloyd’s insurance market and wrote over $2.2 billion premium across the group in 2021. Canopius Group operates in the UK, Bermuda, US, Singapore and Australia.

We believe that our people make us different. We challenge the prevailing wisdom, we ask the difficult questions and we are proud to offer an independent view of risk

We believe that in order to build a successful underwriting portfolio we need to build Environmental, Social and Governance considerations into all underwriting decisions. This role will collaborate with the Underwriting Management team to bring ESG considerations to the fore and help build a sustainable and profitable portfolio not just for now but the future.

Responsibilities will include:

• Build on our Responsible Underwriting framework including:- Integrating objective ESG data on clients into underwriting process; Maintaining a Governance framework to ensure good decision making and practise around ESG
• Design & integration of metrics to assess the sustainability of our underwriting portfolio as a whole or subsectors of it
• Oversight of existing third-party data providers and assess, recommend additional data sources that would enrich our ESG insight.
• Chair our Responsible Underwriting Committee, including determining agenda
• Educating underwriting teams on ESG issues and decision making
• Help to develop our underwriting franchise by delivering thought leadership and external communications via our underwriting teams
• Develop a longer-term plan to increasing sustainability in Canopius underwriting portfolio and feed this thinking into annual business planning and capital raising
• Identify, document and share ESG best practices with other teams
• Work with current U/W teams to innovate sustainable products
• Advocate for responsible underwriting philosophy across Canopius Group, providing awareness, coordinating activities and acting as the spokesperson internally and externally:- Representing Canopius on Market panels to learn and collaborate with peers, specifically taking part in ClimateWise underwriting workgroups and coordinating related data requirements; Liaising with other teams in Canopius such as Risk and Investment; Leading discussions on Canopius responsible underwriting approach with investors and strategic 3rd parties
• Ensuring that Canopius responds adequately to regulatory requests and requirements on ESG for Underwriting
• Fostering partnerships with market and academic institutes to contribute to and learn from market best practice for sustainable underwriting approaches.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Ability to command an audience and use influence to get results
• Relevant experience and strong knowledge of insurance / underwriting. How ESG considerations can be integrated into Canopius business model in the pursuit of sustainable, profitable business
• Experience in climate change and environmental issues.
• Strong business acumen and awareness of the underwriting landscape, particularly in regard to ESG considerations
• Demonstrable experience in building ESG frameworks and / or risk management strategies
• Strong IT skills
• Can own regulatory oversight of responsible underwriting requirements and ensure that all deliverables are met to the appropriate standard
• A strong understanding of key metrics used by senior management to set and execute underwriting strategy
• Confidence to constructively challenging senior management & stakeholders and holding the business to account in meeting its responsible underwriting ambitions.

Personal Qualities:

• First and foremost a natural desire to lead and clear vision for how responsible underwriting frameworks can enhance Canopius’ ability to meet our client’s requirements, sustainability of our business model and facilitate commercial gain
• Provide strong leadership and effectively manage responsible underwriting initiatives
• Ability to manage relationships between multiple stakeholder groups whilst ensuring business objects are met
• Ability to critically evaluate, challenge and reconfigure opportunities presented by other underwriting teams and management to ensure they align with Canopius long term strategy