Howden-owned MGA announces three senior underwriting and distribution hires

Howden-owned MGA Dual has made several senior hires to fill underwriting and distribution roles.

Steve Kelly has been appointed as managing director of construction and James Ramira as managing director of regional property and casualty and social care.

Kelly will focus on growing the construction portfolio and expanding the business’ risk appetite into new areas, including the power generation sector.

And Ramira will lead the social care and commercial underwriting teams, as well as drive Dual’s regional and commercial ambitions in this area.

Georgie Petrou, meanwhile, has been named as Dual UK’s head of strategic accounts.

Catherine Dixon, chief underwriting officer at Dual UK, said: “I am delighted to welcome our new senior hires to Dual UK. It is an exciting time for MGAs as the composite insurers are actively seeking to provide risk capital for new opportunities.

“These appointments are part of our focus on building teams, securing capacity and defining our market offering. As we continue to build out our specialisms, it is key that we ensure we are joining up with our broker partners effectively so that they can benefit from our full range of propositions.”

Experience

Kelly brings over 35 years of experience in the insurance industry to his new role.

Among firms he has worked at include RSA, where he spent 26 years of his career.

He most recently worked at Allianz, where he was a senior technical manager for the last nine years.

Petrou is also an external hire. She joins from Chubb, where she was most recently the UK&I strategic development manager.

Other firms she has worked at during her 20-year insurance career include Zurich and Marsh.

Ramira, meanwhile, joined Dual UK in 2014 and has over 25 years’ experience in the insurance industry.

He has specialised in the niche social care space on both the broker and underwriting functions, previously holding the role director of social care at Dual UK.

Rob Corner, chief distribution officer at Dual UK, said: “Kelly, Ramira and Petrou are all key additions to the business and will lead engagement with our most significant trading partners.

“Their appointments reflect the fact Dual is actively recruiting new talent, while we remain committed to developing our talent into senior positions within the business.”