About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Head of Travel Partnerships – UK to establish and lead the development of a travel insurance business within the United Kingdom.
This is a senior commercial and market-development role focused on identifying, developing and converting strategic partnerships with airlines, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), travel businesses, fintechs, digital platforms, banks, mobility businesses and other organisations capable of distributing travel insurance at scale.
The successful candidate will bring strong experience in travel insurance, embedded insurance, insurtech or digital insurance distribution, together with a proven track record of developing and closing major commercial partnerships.
The role will act as the senior commercial lead for the UK market, building a strong partnership pipeline while helping establish the insurance, regulatory, technology and operational framework required to support sustainable growth.
Location: UK-based, ideally within easy access to London, with flexibility depending on the candidate and regular travel requirements.
Key Responsibilities
UK Market Development & Growth
- Develop and execute the UK travel insurance growth strategy.
- Build and manage a comprehensive pipeline of opportunities across airlines, OTAs, travel platforms, fintechs, banks, mobility businesses and other digital distributors.
- Identify opportunities to embed travel insurance within customer booking and purchasing journeys.
- Lead commercial development from initial prospect identification through negotiation and programme launch.
- Establish a strong presence and reputation within the UK travel and embedded insurance ecosystem.
Strategic Partnerships
- Develop senior-level relationships across travel, aviation, insurance, fintech and technology organisations.
- Lead proposals, pitches, tenders, commercial negotiations and partnership discussions.
- Develop long-term strategic partnerships with high-volume distribution partners.
- Work with prospective partners to understand their customer journey and develop tailored embedded insurance propositions.
- Represent the business at relevant UK travel, aviation, insurance, insurtech and technology events.
Embedded Insurance & Product Development
- Develop travel insurance propositions suited to UK customers and distribution partners.
- Work with internal teams and insurance partners to create commercially competitive products.
- Identify opportunities to improve conversion through product design, customer experience, pricing and digital integration.
- Monitor developments within the UK travel insurance and embedded insurance markets.
- Provide competitor intelligence and emerging market insights to support product and commercial strategy.
Insurance & Capacity Development
- Work closely with insurers, reinsurers, brokers and capacity providers to support the development of UK programmes.
- Identify appropriate insurance structures and underwriting partners for new opportunities.
- Support discussions relating to programme pricing, capacity, product wording and commercial economics.
- Ensure appropriate insurance and reinsurance support is available for new programmes.
Regulatory & Distribution Framework
- Maintain a strong understanding of the UK insurance distribution environment and regulatory framework applicable to travel insurance.
- Work closely with legal and compliance advisers to establish appropriate distribution structures.
- Maintain a good understanding of FCA requirements affecting insurance distribution, embedded insurance, customer disclosures and related conduct considerations.
- Identify appropriate UK insurers, intermediaries, brokers, MGA structures and other licensed partners where required.
- Ensure new propositions are structured to be commercially scalable while meeting applicable regulatory requirements.
Internal Leadership & Commercial Management
- Act as the internal subject-matter lead for the UK travel insurance market.
- Work closely with management, commercial, operations, technology, assistance, underwriting and compliance
