CII launches Society of Underwriting Professionals

This is to provide technical advice and support to underwriters.

CII launches Society of Underwriting Professionals

The Chartered Insurance Institute has launched the Society of Underwriting Professionals which will provide technical advice and support to underwriters.

Phil Williams, managing director MGA at Simply Business, will lead the society as a non-executive director and David Williams, managing director of underwriting at Axa Insurance UK, is currently acting as chair of the body.

David Williams said: “The launch of the Society of Underwriting Professionals is the beginning of the next stage of development of our interaction with the underwriting community, at what is an incredibly important time for our profession.

“New challenges of automation and artificial intelligence plus increasing risks from climate change will have a massive impact on underwriting.

“I look forward to seeing the Society of Underwriting Professionals help shape the profession going forward.”

Practice guides tackling subsidence issues for underwriters, the Senior Managers & Certification Regime and vulnerable customers will be produced for members in the next few months and made available on the society’s website.

The society’s board will consists of: Mandy Hunt, chief underwriting officer of RSA; Janet Edey, head of management liability for UK & Ireland for Chubb, Nick Hankin, director of risk and governance for UKGI at Aviva UK and Sophie Ezadkhasty, underwriter for energy casualty at Swiss Re.

It will also feature Paul Harris, underwriter for professional indemnity at ArgoGlobal; Tony Hutchins, underwriting director of Ecclesiastical UK; Michael Muzio, chief executive of now4cover; and Karen Shaw, head of commercial underwriting for NFU Mutual Insurance.

Mark Hutchinson, societies and member marketing director of the Chartered Insurance Institute, added: “The CII has created societies to provide practical guidance, knowledge and support throughout members’ careers.

“We hope members will engage with the society as they aim to raise the level of knowledge and technical competence in this sector of our profession and in turn, bolster public trust.”