At a Glance
- Tasks: Evaluate and decide on underwriting deals, challenging assumptions and managing portfolios.
- Company: Leading (Re)insurance firm with a focus on disciplined capacity deployment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make impactful decisions in a unique underwriting role that values judgement over growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in property/short-tail reinsurance and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Ideal for those who enjoy critical thinking and have a keen eye for detail.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
We’re working on a slightly different underwriting seat! Not a lead role. Not a top-line growth mandate. And not one for someone who is comfortable just “taking a line”. This is a follow-only position where the judgement actually matters. The platform deploys capacity behind leading markets across property, specialty and short-tail lines — but with a very clear philosophy:
- not everything gets followed
- not every lead gets trusted
- and not every deal deserves capacity
What this role actually is: At its core, this is about:
- deciding which deals are worth backing
- challenging lead assumptions (pricing, structure, governance)
- sizing participation properly
- managing the portfolio like it’s your own capital
You’ll be looking at:
- consortia / QS / structured portfolios
- lead track record + discipline
- exposure, aggregates, cat footprint
- how the book actually performs vs how it’s sold
And importantly — being comfortable saying no.
This is for someone who:
- understands property / short-tail or treaty reinsurance
- has spent time around portfolio / delegated / followed business
- can read a bordereaux and actually form a view
- is comfortable challenging leads without needing to control the slip
You don’t need to be the loudest person in the room — but you do need to be technically credible and commercially sharp.
Why this is interesting: There’s a lot of noise in the market around “growth”. This isn’t that. This is a platform built around:
- disciplined deployment of capacity
- backing the right underwriters
- and protecting downside as much as chasing upside
If you enjoy the thinking side of underwriting, this is a very good seat.
Bottom line: If you’ve ever looked at a deal and thought: “this doesn’t stack up… but everyone’s following it anyway” — this is probably the type of role you should be in.
Senior Underwriter in London employer: 20Twenty Search
Contact Detail:
20Twenty Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Underwriter in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts and attend events related to property and specialty underwriting. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that perfect role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those tricky interviews! Brush up on your technical knowledge about short-tail and treaty reinsurance. We want you to be able to confidently challenge assumptions and showcase your judgement skills when discussing potential deals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your portfolio management skills! Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed risk in the past and how you approach sizing participation. We’re looking for candidates who can think critically and make informed decisions.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. We’re excited to see how you can contribute to our disciplined approach to underwriting.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Underwriter in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding: Make sure to highlight your knowledge of property and short-tail reinsurance in your application. We want to see that you can read a bordereaux and form a solid view on deals, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Be Honest About Your Approach: This role is all about making tough decisions and sometimes saying no. In your application, share examples where you've challenged assumptions or made difficult calls. We appreciate candidates who are technically credible and commercially sharp.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter! Tailor your application to reflect the specific requirements of this position. We’re looking for someone who understands the nuances of following business, so make sure your experience aligns with what we’re after.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this unique underwriting seat. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at 20Twenty Search
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your understanding of property and short-tail reinsurance metrics. Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've successfully sized participation or challenged lead assumptions. This will show that you can think critically about the numbers and make informed decisions.
✨Challenge with Confidence
During the interview, don’t shy away from discussing instances where you’ve had to say no to a deal. Prepare a couple of scenarios where you’ve challenged leads effectively. This demonstrates your ability to think independently and not just follow the crowd.
✨Portfolio Management Insights
Be ready to talk about your experience managing portfolios. Highlight how you’ve approached risk assessment and governance in past roles. This will help convey your understanding of treating the portfolio as if it were your own capital, which is crucial for this position.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
This role requires a level-headed approach, especially when making tough decisions. Practice articulating your thought process in high-pressure situations. Showing that you can remain composed while evaluating deals will set you apart as a technically credible candidate.