Chief Underwriting Officer

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) to lead and drive the underwriting function across our General Insurance business. Reporting directly to senior management, the successful candidate will be responsible for formulating underwriting strategies, strengthening portfolio profitability, enhancing governance frameworks, and developing high-performing underwriting teams to support sustainable business growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the General Insurance underwriting function and formulate underwriting strategies, policies and risk appetite frameworks aligned with the Company's business objectives and regulatory requirements
• Establish, oversee and continuously enhance underwriting governance, controls and operating standards to ensure prudent risk selection and sound portfolio management
• Monitor market trends, emerging risks, competitive developments and regulatory changes, providing strategic insights and recommendations to senior management on portfolio diversification, risk mitigation and growth opportunities
• Drive underwriting profitability by setting portfolio targets, monitoring performance and implementing corrective actions where necessary
• Oversee underwriting activities across all channels and business segments, including direct business, intermediaries, delegated authorities, Managing General Agents (MGAs), treaty arrangements and reinsurance partnerships
• Partner closely with Actuarial, Claims, Distribution and Risk Management functions to develop effective pricing governance, underwriting guidelines and business strategies
• Enhance underwriting discipline and claims outcomes by supporting initiatives aimed at reducing claims frequency, severity and avoidable loss costs through underwriting interventions
• Build and maintain strong relationships with reinsurers, brokers, business partners and other key stakeholders to support business development and risk management objectives
• Lead, coach and develop underwriting teams, fostering a culture of accountability, technical excellence, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a key member of the management team, contributing to the overall strategic direction and performance of the Company

Requirements:

• University degree in Insurance, Risk Management, Business Administration, Finance or other relevant disciplines.
• Professional insurance qualifications such as ACII, ANZIIF (Senior Associate) or equivalent are highly preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in General Insurance underwriting, with substantial leadership experience gained in a senior underwriting management role
• Demonstrated track record in improving underwriting performance, portfolio profitability and risk-adjusted returns.
• Strong experience in developing and implementing underwriting governance frameworks, risk appetite statements, delegated authority controls and underwriting standards
• Sound understanding of General Insurance products, reinsurance structures, pricing principles, capital considerations and regulatory requirements
• Proven ability to balance growth objectives with underwriting discipline and risk management expectations
• Strong commercial acumen, strategic thinking and analytical capabilities, with the ability to translate market insights into actionable business strategies
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills, with experience interacting with senior executives, regulators, reinsurers, brokers and business partners
• Proven leadership capability in building, mentoring and motivating high-performing teams, while successfully leading organizational and business transformation initiatives
• Excellent written and spoken English and Chinese, including Cantonese and Mandarin