Several insurers and market organisations have announced a series of leadership appointments and strategic hires across underwriting, marine, and corporate strategy functions.
Pen Underwriting strengthens Birmingham PI team
Pen Underwriting has expanded its Birmingham office with the appointment of two professional indemnity (PI) underwriters, supporting its ongoing regional growth strategy.
Raman Nahal joins as senior PI underwriter, bringing more than 15 years’ experience in financial services. She has spent the past decade specialising in PI and specialty commercial risks, most recently serving as a development underwriter within Hiscox’s Midlands team, a role she has held since 2018.
Jazz Parkash has been appointed PI underwriter, adding over 20 years of insurance industry experience. Her background includes PI-focused roles at Lockton, Giles Insurance Brokers, and Wesleyan, before joining Tokio Marine HCC as a development underwriter in 2023.
Both appointments form part of Pen’s multidisciplinary team supporting regional brokers across the Midlands.
IUAD appoints new board member and sets £20m fundraising target
Insurance United Against Dementia (IUAD) has appointed Tracy-Lee Kus, CEO of Aon’s Global Broking Centre, to its board of industry leaders.
Kus brings more than three decades of underwriting and broking experience and was named one of Insurance Business Asia’s Elite Women in 2024.
Launched in 2017, IUAD reached its initial £10m fundraising target last year and has now set a new ambition to raise £20m by 2030.
The campaign’s eighth annual Insurance Day for Dementia brought together more than 3,000 colleagues globally, raising over £430,000 in a record-breaking total.
Skuld confirms leadership appointment in Piraeus
Skuld has confirmed the appointment of Charlotte Valentin as senior vice president and head of Skuld Piraeus, effective 1 March. Valentin has served as interim head of office since October 2025.
Leandros Kotsakis will remain away from the office for an extended period due to health reasons. Valentin previously held the role of vice president and head of claims and FDD in Piraeus and has been with Skuld since 1999, having worked across its New York and Piraeus offices.
Kjell-Åke Augustsson will retire on 28 February 2026, as previously announced. Following his departure, Thea Thorstensen, senior vice president of business development, will support Valentin with underwriting activities in the Greek market.
MNK Group appoints chief strategy officer
MNK Group has named Matthew De Jesus as chief strategy and development officer, where he will lead group-level strategy and mergers and acquisitions activity.
De Jesus brings more than 10 years of commercial strategy experience, having previously served as an operating partner at Talis Capital and chief commercial officer at Voxelmaps.
In his new role, he will oversee MNK Group’s global M&A ambitions and work closely with group functions to implement technology across its operations.
HIVE Underwriters expands marine capability
HIVE Underwriters has appointed two senior specialists to its newly established marine underwriting team, with both hires effective from July 2026.
Alistair Marriott will join as head of marine from Everest Insurance, where he was deputy head of marine and head of cargo, international. Jared Short will join as head of transportation and logistics from Markel International, where he served as senior underwriter for logistics, ports, and terminals.
Both will work alongside Nick Lewis, who joins as marine chief underwriting officer in July 2026 to lead the development of HIVE’s marine underwriting operation.
