At a Glance
- Tasks: Underwrite risks and build strong relationships with brokers in a dynamic team environment.
- Company: Join Pen, a forward-thinking underwriting business backed by Gallagher.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25+ days holiday, life insurance, health plans, and more perks.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of insurance while developing your skills in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial lines underwriting and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 58540 - 71548 £ per year.
At Pen, we don't just underwrite risk, we unlock possibility. We're a dynamic underwriting and distribution business backed by the strength of Gallagher and powered by a belief that every challenge has a solution. With entrepreneurial energy, niche expertise, and a bold growth mindset, we're transforming what it means to be an MGA in today's insurance landscape.
Pen Underwriting is looking for an Underwriter to join our Risk Managed Commercial team in Birmingham, trading with brokers across the Midlands, building long-term partnerships and becoming a trusted trading contact. You'll underwrite new and renewal business across Property Owners, Contractors Combined and Commercial Combined—building strong broker relationships while developing your technical underwriting skills within a supportive, high-performing team.
You'll manage and develop risks within your agreed authority, using sound judgement and referring cases when needed—supported by experienced colleagues who will coach you as you grow. This is an ideal next step for someone with industry experience who is customer-centric, outgoing and resilient—and who enjoys building successful relationships across all levels within an organisation.
- Underwrite Property Owners, Contractors Combined and Commercial Combined risks, evaluating exposures, handling technical cover requests and liaising with brokers, insurers and internal teams.
- Collaborate with senior underwriters on referrals and more complex cases, using feedback and coaching to build your technical capability and confidence.
- Build and maintain deep product knowledge across Property Owners, Contractors Combined and Commercial Combined, ensuring consistent, high-quality underwriting decisions.
- Monitor portfolio performance and broker feedback, using MI and insights to support trading decisions and continuous improvement.
About You:
- Experience in commercial lines underwriting (or closely related roles), with exposure to new business and renewals and a strong service mindset.
- CII qualification (or working towards) and a solid general insurance foundation.
- Good technical judgement and curiosity to assess risk exposure and appetite, asking the right questions and referring when needed.
- A confident, proactive communicator with strong relationship-building and negotiation skills, and a keen eye for detail.
- A commercial mindset with an interest in trading—working with brokers to achieve customer-focused outcomes and profitable results.
Compensation and benefits:
- Minimum of 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays, and the option to 'buy' extra days.
- Defined contribution pension scheme, which Gallagher will also contribute to.
- Life insurance, which will pay 4x your basic annual salary, which you can top-up to 10x.
- Income protection, we'll cover up to 50% of your annual income, with options to top up.
- Health cash plan or Private medical insurance.
- Other benefits include: Three fully paid volunteering days per year, Employee Stock Purchase plan, offering company shares at a discount, Share incentive plan, HMRC approved, tax effective, stock purchase plan, Critical illness cover, Discounted gym membership, with over 3,000 gyms nationally, Season ticket loan, Access to a discounted voucher portal to save money on your weekly shop or next big purchase, Emergency back-up family care.
We value inclusion and diversity:
Inclusion and diversity (I&D) is a core part of our business, and it's embedded into the fabric of our organisation. For more than 95 years, Gallagher has led with a commitment to sustainability and to support the communities where we live and work. Gallagher embraces our employees' diverse identities, experiences and talents, allowing us to better serve our clients and communities.
Gallagher is Disability Confident Committed. We have pledged to make sure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible, in addition to supporting our existing employees with any long-term health conditions or disabilities.
Gallagher believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any form of discrimination by its managers, employees, vendors or customers based on protected characteristics.
Risk Underwriter in Birmingham employer: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
At Gallagher Benefit Services, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a collaborative and people-first culture. As a Business Development Director in our Change & Transformation practice, you'll enjoy competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for career development while making a meaningful impact on businesses and their employees. Join us in a dynamic environment where your ideas are valued, and you can thrive alongside a community of trusted experts and bold explorers.
