Pen Underwriting has named Jamie Lawson as its new Head of Digital E-Trade, a role created to steer and align the company’s digital trading initiatives across its underwriting and distribution operations.
Effective July 1, Lawson will lead efforts to scale digital trading across all four of Pen’s trading divisions. He will report to Chief Operating Officer Hannah Fry, with his team becoming part of the central COO function.
Lawson’s appointment reflects his long-standing contribution to Pen’s digital strategy since joining the business at its inception in 2015. Most recently serving as E-Trading and Schemes Director within Pen’s SME & Personal Lines division, he played a pivotal role in building out the company’s e-trade capabilities—an area that has underpinned Pen’s broader digital transformation over the past decade.
The move comes at a time when digital e-trade continues to gain traction across the UK insurance landscape. Industry data shows that over 60% of brokers now actively use insurer extranets for quoting, with some engaging with up to 40 platforms per risk. In 2024 alone, Polaris’ imarket platform processed £449 million in gross written premiums—up 15% year-on-year.
Insurers including Aviva and Eaton Gate have also expanded their digital trading offerings in response to growing broker demand for faster and more streamlined systems. The South of England, a key market for Pen, has seen particularly strong adoption, driven by a high concentration of SMEs and a well-established broker network.
Commenting on the appointment, Fry said strengthening digital engagement with brokers is central to Pen’s ambition of reaching £1.75 billion in gross written premiums by 2030. “Centralising our digital trading function is a strategic priority,” she said. “Jamie’s team will work hand-in-hand with each of our trading divisions to enhance our platforms and boost operational efficiency.”
Lawson echoed this vision, stating that the immediate focus will be on increasing the speed, efficiency, and competitiveness of Pen’s digital trading environment. He also stressed the importance of tailoring digital solutions to the specific needs of each product line to ensure optimal results across the business.
