Rising stars


“There is always a certain amount of self-responsibility for career development, and perhaps in reinsurance that is more important than in other industries.”


Name:


Tom Murray


Company: Liberty Specialty Markets Job:


Deputy underwriter, international casualty treaty


Timeline: April 2013: Deputy class underwriter—international casualty treaty, Liberty Specialty Markets


September 2010: Underwriter— international casualty treaty, Liberty Syndicate 4472


September 2009: Assistant underwriter—US casualty treaty, Liberty Syndicate 4472


September 2008: Graduate trainee, Lloyd’s of London graduate programme


Describe your career so far and current role. I started my career as part of the first intake on the revived Lloyd’s of London graduate programme in September 2008. Part of that scheme involved a six-month placement with Liberty Syndicate 4472, who offered me a permanent role at the end of the training scheme. I began working with the casualty reinsurance team in 2009, initially on the US side of


the account, before switching to


international treaty in 2010. I was promoted to the role of deputy class underwriter in April 2013. Currently I principally focus on London Market excess of loss


treaty for all liability lines at Liberty Specialty Markets, as well as developing our international offering with a primary focus on South America.


Why did you choose the re/insurance industry? I was impressed with the range of skills involved in an


underwriting career. Rather than focusing solely on any one particular discipline, there are elements of maths, legal principles, communication, people skills, management and negotiation.


Do you think the industry is attractive to young


professionals? Perhaps not as attractive as it should be. ‘Insurance’ often conjures up negative connotations, whereas the reality of working in the London Market is that it can be a great place for young people to begin a career. Also, it’s probably one of a shrinking number of career options than can genuinely provide a ‘career for life’.


Do you think the re/insurance industry offers good opportunities and career development to young professionals? The opportunities are definitely there but the onus is on new entrants to the industry to show a desire and willingness to learn, as well as not being afraid of suggesting new ideas or concepts. There is always a certain amount of self-responsibility for career development, and perhaps in reinsurance that is more important than in other industries.


What are your aspirations for the future? To help ensure the reinsurance industry remains relevant during a likely period of notable change. Doom and gloom stories about the demise of the old days and old ways are always overstated, but I would hope to be part of the next generation who will ensure we continue to understand our clients’ requirements and are able to provide them with appropriate solutions.


If you had chosen a different profession/career path, what would it have been? Probably in banking, but luckily the global financial crisis and collapse of graduate recruitment steered me away from that one!


May 2015 | INTELLIGENT INSURER | 35


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