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About the Role

This Senior Underwriter role offers a key leadership opportunity within a leading Hull & War team in the London market. You will act as a deputy to the Head of Hull and War, supporting leadership and contributing to business plans. The role combines senior underwriting responsibility with portfolio oversight, performance metrics, and new business development. You will also manage underwriting assistants, drive process improvements, and support strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

Underwrite Hull and War risks in line with the agreed underwriting strategy, authority levels and business plans.
Support the Head of Hull and War with strategy development, annual planning, portfolio oversight and senior‑level presentations.
Monitor, analyse and report on portfolio performance, key performance indicators and emerging areas of concern.
Peer review underwriting decisions to support consistent decision‑making, effective risk management and adherence to underwriting guidelines.
Manage and support underwriting assistants, encouraging development, inclusive behaviours and a strong performance culture.
Drive the successful adoption of new processes and actively lead change initiatives across the team.
Build and maintain positive relationships with brokers, clients and coverholders.
Identify, develop and pursue new business opportunities across Hull and War in line with the agreed business plan.
Support and deliver project work aligned to Hull and War and wider Marine & Energy objectives.
Work collaboratively with the Head of Hull and War, wider underwriting team, actuarial, finance, claims, IPA and other stakeholders.
Champion continuous improvement, working with the team to enhance end‑to‑end processes, data quality and ways of working.
Attend regular broker and client meetings and travel as required.
Apply appropriate underwriting and risk management practices, including authority, guideline and aggregation controls.

Requirements

Demonstrable experience as a Hull and War underwriter within the London market.
Exposure to portfolio management and performance monitoring.
Strong analytical capability with the ability to interpret data, assess portfolio performance and find opportunities for optimisation.
Proven ability to build and maintain effective broker and client relationships.
A growth‑oriented attitude, with the confidence to lead change and continuous improvement.
Have a network of London and international distribution channels.
Strong data literacy and ability to interpret portfolio and performance data.
Confident communicator, able to influence brokers, peers and senior stakeholders.
Supporting or mentoring junior team members or assistants is desirable.

Skills

Hull and War underwriting
London market experience
Portfolio management
Performance monitoring
Data analysis
Relationship building
Change leadership
Distribution channel networking
Data literacy
Communication
Influencing

Location

London

Work Type

Hybrid
Flexible working patterns

Experience Level

Senior

Salary/Compensations

Great starting salary plus annual bonus

Benefits

Up to 16% company pension scheme
Private medical and dental cover
Menopause plan
Emergency care benefit (children/Pets/dependants)
Income protection
Life assurance
Electric car scheme
Travel insurance
25 days paid holiday plus Bank Holidays
Opportunity to buy/sell extra leave
Opportunities to learn new skills and develop in your career

About the Company

Markel's M&E team is dedicated to providing innovative and tailored insurance solutions.
The Marine and Energy Division is part of a Wholesale group offering services for various specialty lines.
Our underwriting teams are known for their expertise in underwriting complex risks and delivering exceptional service.
The Energy team focuses on underwriting a wide range of energy risks.
The Marine short tail team specialises in Cargo, Specie, Hull & War lines.
Our team of experienced underwriters is dedicated to providing comprehensive coverage and exceptional service.
The division is led by industry experts who are committed to driving sustainable, profitable growth and strengthening relationships.
The team writes a diverse portfolio on a worldwide basis with particular focus on North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Products can be tailored to meet requirements of clients, from smaller local / domestic companies to global operations.
Markel is a recognised leader of Hull & War business with a successful history in the class.
The underwriting team is supported by our experienced, in-house claims team.
Part of Markel Group (NYSE – MKL) a Fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in 20+ countries.
Markel is a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, specialist advisory, and investment operations around the world.
The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward, reach their full potential and seize opportunities.
You’ll find your fit amongst our diverse global community of optimists and problem-solvers.
We’re always pushing each other to think further because we believe that when we strive for better and realise our potential, we can help others reach theirs.

Equal Opportunity

At Markel we are all about the people, celebrating the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances.
Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you.
We will ensure that individuals are provided with any reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful.
Please contact us via email at rec@markel.com or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed, including alternative formats of documents or information on how to apply offline.