ENERGY UNDERWRITER
LOCATION: LONDON
This career opportunity is available at Santam Syndicate 1918 for an Energy Underwriter who will be based in the UK & have right to work in the UK.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
The role involves underwriting and managing a portfolio of upstream and/or downstream energy risks, ensuring profitability, regulatory compliance, and alignment with the company's risk appetite.
You will be responsible for building broker relationships, assessing complex energy risks globally, and contributing to the ongoing development of the energy underwriting strategy.
WHAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL IN THE ROLE?
Key Responsibilities:
- Underwrite new and renewal energy risks within agreed authority levels, including but not limited to:
- Upstream oil & gas (exploration & production)
- Downstream energy (refining, processing, storage, transportation)
- Renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, etc.)
- Emerging transition energy risks (e.g. hydrogen, carbon capture, energy storage)
- Assess submissions including engineering / technical reports, risk control measures, loss history, exposures, contractual terms, environmental / ESG factors, and determine pricing and terms accordingly.
- Draft or review policy wording and endorsements to ensure clarity, consistency, compliance and alignment with Santam 1918’s risk appetite.
- Liaise with brokers and clients: build and maintain relationships, represent Santam 1918 in the London market and internationally.
- Work with actuarial, claims, risk & exposure management teams to monitor performance of the energy book: loss ratios, exposures, accumulation, reserving etc.
- Contribute to development of underwriting strategy for energy class: appetite, pricing strategy, portfolio mix, reinsurance requirements.
- Ensure all underwriting is compliant with Lloyd’s market rules, UK regulatory requirements (e.g. PRA / FCA), internal governance, risk management, and ESG policies.
- Support the build‑out of systems, processes and controls for underwriting, exposure monitoring, reporting in the lead‑up to launch.
- Mentor / coach more junior underwriters, contribute to a collaborative underwriting culture.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
- 3–7+ years’ experience in energy underwriting, ideally within a Lloyd’s syndicate, London Market insurer, or
- Significant experience underwriting energy risks in London / Lloyd’s / global market (both upstream & downstream or renewable sectors).
- Strong technical knowledge of energy risk drivers (engineering, environment, process safety, infrastructure, etc.).
- Experience dealing with complex / large energy risks, exposure accumulation and catastrophe risk.
- Track record of profitable underwriting, good judgement, and ability to assess and price risk with commercial discipline.
- Good understanding of energy / ESG / transition risk issues, regulatory exposure, environmental regulations.
- Able to interpret technical / engineering reports and data; strong analytical skills.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills with brokers, clients, other stakeholders.
- Knowledge of policy wordings, endorsements, reinsurance structures relevant to energy.
- Familiarity with London Market, Lloyd’s governance, regulatory environment, PRA / FCA matters.
- Degree in relevant field (e.g. Engineering, Risk / Insurance, Petroleum or Chemical Engineering, Earth Sciences, or equivalent experience). Professional qualifications (e.g. ACII/CII) advantageous.
COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:
- Experience in emerging energy transition risks (hydrogen, carbon capture, renewables, storage etc).
- Experience in portfolio building from a new / start‑up book.
- Strong ability to work cross‑functionally (underwriting, claims, actuarial, risk) and in a growing organization.
- Innovative mindset, adaptability; able to operate in a setting building systems, processes from scratch.
- Commitment to ESG, sustainability, climate risk frameworks.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:
- Drives results
- Deciding and initiating action
- Leading and supervising
- Collaborates
- Client focus
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Cultivates innovation
- Strategic decision making
- Analytical thinking
- Influencing/ gaining commitment
- Business acumen
- Coaching and development
WHO WE ARE:
Santam syndicate 1918 is a new wholly owned and capitalised entity of Santam Insurance, the largest insurance company in South Africa with a 107 year heritage. 1918 is strategically important in expanding and developing Santam’s international footprint, through access to the London market talent, distribution network and Lloyd’s global insurance and reinsurance licenses.
Our syndicate is a London managed and run business, with a strong, experienced leadership team, focused on underwriting discipline, whilst allowing our teams to feel empowered and accountable for their actions. We are building a collaborative team where underwriting, claims, actuarial and other functions work closely, to help achieve superior underwriting results
