Mitsui snaps up Chubb technology director for service overhaul

Lloyd's insurer Mitsui Sumitomo has poached a director from rival Chubb as part of a campaign to improve service to brokers.

Jonathan Poole joins from Chubb, where he was European technology underwriting head and has also held a number of senior management positions.

Mitsui at Lloyd's chief executive Andrew McKee said: “Jonathan’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to investing in customer-focused service.

“It is only the first step in our long-term plans to take our claims service to an unrivalled level in the market.”

Poole will be responsible for the launch of Mitsui’s claims charter later this year. The charter sets out a number of service targets, including improved access to decision makers and round-the-clock points of contact.

Last August, it was reported that Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (London Management), the holding company for Japanese insurer Mitsui Sumitomo’s London market business, had made an after-tax loss of £19.1m in 2009.

This was the result of a £21.1m impairment in the value of run-off subsidiary Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (London).

Poole is the latest in a series of recent appointments by Mitsui of Lloyd's. Richard Bridges – another recruit from Chubb – has become hull underwriter for the marine team, while Jubilee underwriter John Steel has joined the motor team. Within the Lloyd's property underwriting team, Kevin Galer has joined from CNA and Chris Bottomley and Richard Nathan have been promoted from within the team.