Head of Underwriting in London

Specialty Lines – New Portfolio Opportunity - £170-200K DoE (+ equity linked package) – Hybrid 3 days in City HQ

Our client is a specialist MGA with active lines across Technology, Cyber, Media, Accident & Health, Life, and Sports. Backed by Lloyd’s of London and leading insurer partners, they have the capital, capacity relationships, and board commitment to expand into new underwriting lines – and they are looking for the right people to lead that expansion.

With offices in the UK and Europe, and long-term investor backing in place, they can offer an experienced Head of Line / Senior Underwriter something rare: the infrastructure to build something new, with genuine ownership of what they create.

The Opportunity: This is not a conventional hire. They are looking for a Head of Underwriting who has built a specialism, developed a portfolio, and is ready to bring it to a platform where they have a genuine stake in the outcome. If you are an experienced specialty UW who feels constrained – whether by structure, appetite, or lack of progression – and you are ready to build something of your own, they would like to speak with you. They will provide the vehicle, the capacity access, and the investment. You bring the expertise, the relationships, and the vision. This is an equity-linked, entrepreneurial proposition. You will share in the success of what you build.

Lines of Interest: They are actively seeking an individual with deep expertise in specialist, niche lines where genuine differentiation exists. Areas of particular interest include:

• Life Sciences – clinical trials liability, biotech, pharmaceutical liability, medical devices
• Specialty Casualty – niche sub-sectors where a defined product and underserved broker demand exist
• Emerging or non-standard lines – where a proprietary product or approach has been developed and can be brought to a new platform

They are not looking for generalists. The lines they write are chosen because they are interesting, differentiated, and not commoditised. If your background is in open market generalist risks, this is unlikely to be the right fit.

What they are looking for:

• A proven specialty underwriter with an established, identifiable portfolio
• Strong broker relationships – a panel who know you, back you, and will follow you
• Insurer and capacity relationships that can support a new line, whether at Lloyd’s or in the company market
• A track record of building a book, not just maintaining one
• The commercial credibility to articulate your proposition to capacity providers
• Familiarity with MGA structure and coverholder obligations

What they offer: The model is explicitly entrepreneurial. They are not offering a safe lateral move. They are offering the opportunity to build something, with the backing to do it properly.

• Competitive base salary reflective of seniority and what you bring
• Equity participation in the underwriting team you build
• Commission share on the business you bring/generate – with meaningful long-term earning potential
• Access to Lloyd’s and company market capacity
• Investment capital to support new line setup, including binder acquisition where required
• A lean, non-bureaucratic environment with direct access to decision-makers
• The chance to be in from the beginning of something genuinely exciting

Seniority: Senior Underwriter / Head of Underwriting

Location: London preferred; European office locations considered

Reporting to: Senior leadership / founder level

Salary: Competitive base – with significant upside through equity and commission

Timeline: Investment-backed setup; client supports the full process

Covenants: They will work with you to find a legitimate path – they will not ask you to breach your obligations

How to Apply: All conversations are entirely confidential. If you are curious about whether this could be the right opportunity – even if the timing is not yet right – we welcome an exploratory discussion. Please get in touch directly.