Underwriter - Agriculture

Reporting to the Lead Underwriter, the successful applicant will be a key member of the Agricultural Underwriting team, responsible for underwriting Farm & Estate Machinery, Motor, along with associated risks. Experience and knowledge across additional agricultural product lines would be advantageous. The role will involve exercising underwriting authority to make informed and empowered decisions across the agricultural portfolio, while providing technical guidance and referral support to colleagues and Coverholders where risks fall outside their delegated authority.

Working closely with the Lead Underwriter, the individual will contribute to the development and execution of the agricultural underwriting proposition. They will utilise strong analytical and technical underwriting skills to assess portfolio performance, influence risk selection, and identify opportunities for profitable growth while minimising loss exposure. This extends to those products that are distributed by our partners having delegated authorities.

Purpose

As a senior member of the digital agricultural underwriting team the role holder is expected to:

• Contribute effectively to the delivery of the team's vision and strategy for profitable growth.
• Assist in the day to day underwriting of the allocated accounts with the aim of achieving target levels of income & profitability, in line with the MSIG Europe business plan.
• Provide technical and administrative support to the Lead Underwriter, in the provision of statistical analysis, research and reporting on business activity.
• Assist and where directed to have responsibility with the production of relevant reports that ensure compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Provide a client centric service that ensures a fair outcome to our customers, including policyholders and brokers within agreed service level agreements.

Key Result Areas

Compliance:

• Act in accordance with the company's Business Ethics Policy.
• Act in compliance with all relevant Company, FCA and other regulatory and legal requirements.
• Assist with monitoring and confirmation of regulatory and legal compliance for the department (or reporting breaches and issues), in accordance with the company's procedures.
• Ensure that all underwriting decisions are made in accordance with underwriting guides, individual line guide authority and underwriting procedures; adhering to internal policy standards.
• Ensure completion of all training modules as requested by the company.
• Assist with audits of brokers and coverholders to ensure compliance with terms of trade and internal requirements.

Customer Relations:

• Build and maintain positive relationships with internal & external clients and brokers.
• Contribute as directed to the development of new brokers, clients and market relationships to ensure new business opportunities are considered as part of the business planning process.
• Alert the Lead Underwriter to situations that may lead to complaint or be contrary to the business aspirations.
• Effectively represent self and class in external activities, groups and committees.

Performance, Reporting & Analysis:

• Contribute to the development of the allocated account(s) to achieve the annual and five year business plan targets.
• Take a lead in the production, review and analysis of monthly and quarterly figures producing accurate reports on findings.
• Generate and maintain additional reports as required by the Lead Underwriter and other members of the management team.
• Assist in the production of market and client research, database maintenance and awareness of competitor activity.
• Assist with the underwriting and servicing of the allocated accounts in order to meet the MSIG Europe business plan targets, whilst maintaining a client centric approach to service.
• Act in a way to positively promote & improve our products and propositions, including where this relates to customer service, policy coverage or the operation of our digital platform.
• Review of KPIs on a regular basis to ensure growth & service targets are met.
• Review all risks, quotes, endorsements and declarations of own workload and where requested act as peer reviewer on risks and material endorsements that have been underwritten.

Team management & personal development:

• Ensure that team resources are deployed in the most effective way.
• Guide and develop junior colleagues.
• Conduct regular review meetings with junior colleagues.
• Ensure own development in areas of technical and non-technical competency and maintain an awareness of other classes of business and the underwriting strategy of MSIG Europe.

Key Competencies

Technical Competencies:

• Strong Agricultural Motor and Farm underwriting expertise.
• Good understanding of fleet rating, NCD methodologies and agricultural risk exposures.
• Strong analytical, risk assessment and decision-making skills.
• Commercial awareness with a focus on profitable portfolio management.
• Data analysis, reporting and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of underwriting systems, digital trading platforms and relevant technologies.
• Understanding of market developments, competitor activity and industry trends.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Excellent communication, relationship management and influencing skills.
• Client-focused with a commitment to service excellence.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise workload and perform effectively under pressure.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to support and develop colleagues.
• Resilient, adaptable and results-oriented.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Key Interfaces:

Underwriters, Coverholders, System Developers, Claims, Credit Control, Business Development, Marketing, BMI, Actuarial, Brokers and clients.