Strengthening our London trading office with eight strategic underwriting hires

As part of our focus on regional investment, we’ve recently expanded our underwriting expertise and capability in our London trading office with the appointment of eight new underwriters. This strategic expansion underscores our commitment to growth and dedication to delivering exceptional service to you and your clients.
 

The new hires, who join us with a range of experience, will work across property, casualty, construction and fleet, and will be based in our London office – increasing the total number of underwriters in the region to 70. The expansion enhances our ability to provide local decision-making, working in close partnership with you to help you achieve your growth ambitions.
 

The London branch covers a wide range of risks and businesses, such as property owners’ business, construction, and standalone casualty business, amongst others.
 

Emily Cahill has been appointed as Mid-Market Senior New Business Underwriter, covering property and casualty within the London International Team. She has 15 years’ underwriting experience within property and casualty. Emily joins from Allianz where she worked as a Senior Underwriter in its Woking and City office, with a focus on coaching junior staff. Prior to Allianz, Emily spent a year at Ecclesiastical. She began her career at Zurich, working in the Mid-Market space.
 

Additionally, Steve Hodges joins as Mid-Market Senior Existing Business Underwriter. Steve has over 20 years’ experience, most recently at Ecclesiastical where he served as a Technical Underwriter, helping to drive underwriting standards and best practice. Prior to this, he held roles at Zurich and RSA. Steve has been appointed to Aviva’s International Broker team, covering property and casualty.
 

Richard Collier also joins as Regional Fleet Portfolio Manager. Richard joins from Zurich, where he worked for 12 years, most recently as Senior Motor Fleet Underwriter. He led Zurich’s Mid-Market Motor Fleet team for the South-East region, aiding the delivery of both new business and renewals. At Aviva, Richard will be responsible for the portfolio management of the Mid-Market fleet book for London and the South-East region.
 

Emily, Steve, and Richard are joined by five additional underwriting hires across property, casualty, construction, and motor, further strengthening our underwriting capabilities.
 

Connor Henderson, Branch Manager at Aviva’s London office, commented: “We’re thrilled to welcome a raft of talented underwriters as we gear up for our next stage of growth in the London market. As our team expands, so too do the opportunities for progression – there’s never been a more exciting time to join Aviva.
By attracting top talent and enhancing our underwriting expertise, we are poised to deliver exceptional service and innovative solutions. Being visible in a highly competitive market and increasing our capability makes us even more responsive to brokers' needs. We look forward to expanding our team even further in the coming months, as the London region goes from strength to strength.”
 

With so many recruits joining us, it’s important that they are introduced to the business and ways of working in a manner that enables them to succeed in their new role right from the start. One such recent recruit is Daniel Honiss, who joined Aviva in January as a Mid-Market Underwriter in the London Office. 

Daniel said of Aviva’s onboarding process: “I have been welcomed by all colleagues and peers, irrespective of seniority or role, which has been invaluable. The onboarding process was unequivocally the smoothest I’ve experienced – it has allowed me to make substantial progress in the three months since joining, whilst simultaneously learning the new processes, systems and culture at Aviva. There is a palpable sense of trust at Aviva which cultivates a confidence in their underwriters, enabling us to have a positive and pro-active presence in the market whilst actively encouraging personal development.”

In addition to these appointments, we’ll continue to actively grow our regional presence throughout 2025 with a blend of experienced hires and new market entrants in the Mid-Market space. The London branch is currently recruiting Senior Underwriters and Trading Underwriters across Property, Casualty & Construction. Find out more here.

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