At the beginning of 2025, we created six new Operations Assistant roles. This enabled our underwriters to focus more on building strong broker relationships and underwriting risk, whilst strengthening our ability to provide brokers with the seamless service that is the hallmark of IQUW.

Our core values across IQUW and ERS – collaborative, driven, empowered, and inclusive – were used to shape the recruitment process. Candidates also took part in an assessment day providing them with insights into underwriting operations and an opportunity to meet the underwriting team.

The recruits came from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience, and included both internal promotions and external hires:

• Meg Sims joined IQUW in early 2024 as one of our receptionists.

“I’m really excited to be in this new role at IQUW and to be more involved in the processes and services that we offer clients. This new opportunity enables me to develop and grow, learning from our amazing underwriting team.”

• Vanessa Chychrun took up this permanent post after completing an internship with our Actuarial and Underwriting team. 
• George Darby joined us from international law firm Watson Farley & Williams, where he was a CRM Assistant.
• Joseph Ssenyonjo joined IQUW after completing work experience at an international specialist insurer.
• Michael Nti joined us while completing his Bachelor of Science in Economics and Politics at Aston University.
• Mahreen Khan joined after completing a RISE programme at Standard Chartered (partnered with ELBA) to support the Bank’s global initiative to help young people access opportunities to learn and grow.

Each Operations Assistant received comprehensive and ongoing training on underwriting operations, data management, and IQUW’s systems and processes. Their training also included a grounding in the insurance industry and Lloyd’s policy cycle, equipping them to excel in their new roles.

With responsibilities for data entry and query resolution, ensuring data is correctly entered into our systems and aligned with downstream reporting such as finance and claims, they are also the central contact between the underwriting teams and Xceedance, IQUW’s outsource partner, , which provides us with innovative technology and data-driven services.  

At IQUW, we’re proud to offer study support for professional qualifications and access to an employee assistance programme that prioritises wellbeing, creating an environment for personal and professional growth.

Rob Saxon, Head of Underwriting Operations at IQUW, said: “We are delighted to have built out our operations team with these six new members. These new roles demonstrate our commitment to delivering top-quality services and a seamless experience for our brokers and clients.”