At a Glance
- Tasks: Underwrite new and renewal business while building strong broker relationships.
- Company: Join Pen, a dynamic underwriting business backed by Gallagher.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25+ days holiday, health plans, and employee stock options.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent career growth opportunities and mentoring.
- Why this job: Shape the future of underwriting with innovative solutions and real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial lines underwriting and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 € 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.
Ready for your next underwriting role—one that gives you real broker exposure, broader product experience and the support to grow your authority and confidence? 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.
At Pen, you’ll join an innovative underwriting business with the scale to invest in people and the agility to move quickly. With >£1bn GWP, we combine strong market presence with a collaborative, empowered culture—so you can make decisions, build relationships and see the impact of your work every day. We offer study support, mentoring and coaching from highly experienced underwriters, plus exposure across multiple products and a clear pathway to progress.
How you'll make an impact:
- Underwrite and service a portfolio of new and renewal business, responding to rating and adjustment enquiries in a timely, customer-focused way.
- Support profitable growth by identifying and progressing new business opportunities with brokers, in line with underwriting appetite and agreed strategy.
- 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.
- Operate within your agreed underwriting authority, escalating and referring where appropriate and documenting decisions clearly.
- 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 (e.g., A-Levels or equivalent experience).
- 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.
- Organised and resilient, able to plan and prioritise renewals while progressing new business opportunities in a fast-paced environment.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- A positive, team-oriented attitude with a commitment to delivering excellent service.
On top of a competitive salary, great teams and exciting career opportunities, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including:
- 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, covering up to 50% of your annual income, with options to top up.
- Health cash plan or Private medical insurance.
- 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.
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.
Underwriter in Ettington employer: Pen Underwriting
At Pen, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. Located in Birmingham, our dynamic team offers extensive support for professional growth through mentoring and exposure to diverse underwriting products, ensuring you can make impactful decisions while building lasting relationships with brokers. With competitive benefits, a commitment to inclusion, and a focus on employee well-being, we provide a rewarding environment where your career can truly flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Underwriter in Ettington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the insurance industry, especially those who work with underwriting. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Pen and its unique approach to underwriting. Show off your knowledge about their products and how you can contribute to their innovative culture. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings—be proactive! Reach out directly to hiring managers or teams at Pen. Express your interest in the Underwriter role and share how your skills align with their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep honing your skills! Consider taking relevant courses or certifications that can boost your underwriting knowledge. This shows your commitment to growth and makes you a more attractive candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Underwriter in Ettington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. A bit of creativity can go a long way in making your application stand out.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application specifically for the Underwriter position at Pen. Highlight your relevant experience in commercial lines underwriting and how it aligns with the job description. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do and our company culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pen Underwriting
✨Know Your Underwriting Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of underwriting principles, especially in commercial lines. Be ready to discuss your experience with Property Owners, Contractors Combined, and Commercial Combined risks, as this will show your familiarity with the role.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Pen values strong broker relationships, so prepare examples of how you've successfully built partnerships in the past. Think about specific situations where your communication and negotiation skills made a difference.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Mindset
Be prepared to discuss how you assess risk exposure and make underwriting decisions. Bring examples of how you've used data or insights to inform your decisions, as this aligns with Pen's focus on continuous improvement.
✨Emphasise Your Team Spirit
Pen thrives on collaboration, so highlight your ability to work within a team. Share experiences where you've supported colleagues or sought feedback to improve your technical skills, showing that you're eager to learn and grow.
