What does it take to build a successful career in underwriting?

In this episode of Beyond the Desk Underwriting Edition, Sanj Vagad is joined by Charles Boorman to explore a career spanning broking, D&O, financial lines, underwriting leadership, turnarounds and the MGA market.

Charles shares how he first fell into insurance before discovering that specialising in D&O was the turning point that made him realise he could genuinely add value to clients. He talks through his move from broking into underwriting at QBE, taking on the leadership of an FI team outside his comfort zone, and the experiences that shaped his approach to building and turning around underwriting businesses.

The conversation also explores Charles' move into the MGA world and why an incubator-style model gave him the opportunity to focus on underwriting, building a team and growing a business without taking on the same level of risk as a traditional MGA start-up.

Sanj and Charles discuss the challenges of turning around an underwriting business, including managing people, maintaining broker relationships and communicating difficult decisions. Charles also shares his perspective on the current D&O and FI markets, the impact of increasing capacity and competition, and whether combining commercial D&O and FI underwriting makes sense.

Towards the end of the episode, Charles offers advice to underwriters looking to broaden their experience, emphasising the importance of taking baby steps, learning from experienced people and getting outside your comfort zone.

In this episode:

• How Charles accidentally fell into insurance
• Why specialising in D&O changed the trajectory of his career
• Making the move from broking into underwriting
• Taking on an FI leadership role outside his comfort zone
• The challenges of building and turning around underwriting businesses
• Why people are often the hardest part of a turnaround
• The importance of communication and broker relationships
• Charles' transition into the MGA market
• The advantages of an incubator-style MGA model
• Current dynamics across the D&O and FI markets
• Whether commercial D&O and FI should be brought closer together
• How underwriters can broaden their class experience
• Why taking "baby steps" matters when learning a new product
• The importance of concentrating on your strengths and managing your weaknesses
• Why getting outside your comfort zone is where you learn and grow

Charles also reflects on the career decisions that changed his own trajectory and why his biggest advice is simple: when an opportunity comes to step outside your comfort zone, put your hand up and say yes.