Women in reinsurance
PrOFILE Name:
Barbara Merry
Company: Hardy Underwriting Job:
Chief executive
Timeline: 2003—Became a member of Lloyd’s Association Board
2002—CEO Hardy Underwriting
Barbara Merry joined Hardy Underwriting as chief executive in January 2002. She has extensive Lloyd’s experience, having worked at the Corporation of Lloyd’s for 14 years, first as a general manager in the regulatory division and then as managing director of another Lloyd’s managing agent. Between 2003 and 2008 she was a member of the Lloyd’s Market Association Board and a member of the Council of Lloyd’s from 2007 to 2009 inclusive. She is on the board of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers. She qualified as a chartered accountant in 1984.
Merry is proud of her accomplishments—especially her time
at Hardy. “Leading Hardy Underwriting has been a 12-year highlight,” she says. “It is the best job I’ve ever had and I feel very privileged.”
Merry pinpoints battling financial instability as one of the toughest things to overcome. “The biggest challenge was having to face difficult financial times as a result of heavy international catastrophe losses and ultimately initiating a sale process/finding a buyer for the business, while trying to keep the show on the road and keep everyone motivated and positive.”
In 2014, Merry plans to keep her finger on the pulse and get Hardy heading in the right direction for progression. “My career
aspiration now is to settle Hardy on a successful, profitable trajectory once again, and to realise our vision of becoming a leading player in Lloyd’s, harnessing the balance sheet of CNA, Hardy’s parent, whenever and wherever possible and necessary,” she says.
“On a personal front, I am totally passionate about the diversity
and inclusiveness agenda and am thrilled to have been asked by John Nelson to chair a Lloyd’s group focused on this area. My aspiration here is to set some change in motion in 2014.”
“The biggest challenge was having to face difficult financial times as a result of heavy international catastrophe losses and ultimately initiating a sale process.”
30 | INTELLIgENT INsUrEr | May 2014
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