Tokio hires former Aviva underwriter to expand property owners team

Tokio Marine Kiln (TMK) has expanded its property owners team with the appointment of Stuart Somerville as senior underwriter.

Somerville will have responsibility for underwriting TMK’s property owners business, managing the current book and profitably increasing underwriting volume.

Following the appointment of Ann Kelly as the strategic director of the property owners business, Somerville will work closely with Kelly to increase underwriting capabilities in this area and to further develop the product offering, in what is a targeted area of growth for the company.

Somerville has over a decade of experience in the property owners market, having most recently served as senior European underwriting for property investors at Aviva.

Prior to Aviva, he served as an international underwriter of real estate at Zurich.

Paul Dreblow, head of corporate property underwriting, said: “TMK is committed to increasing its presence in the property owners market. Our plan has been to hire experienced people who have the contacts and knowledge to profitably grow our book. Stuart will be a great addition to the team who, given his past experience, will be able to focus on increasing our underwriting capabilities and ensuring that our product is right for our clients.”

Paul Culham, group chief underwriting officer, added: “Our group underwriting strategy emphasises finding niche areas of insurance and using exceptional underwriting talent to write profitable business, whilst providing superior assistance to clients. Property owners is an example of where we see TMK being able to enact this strategy and we will continue to expand our offering in this area with the best underwriters in the market.”