IQUW draws RBC/Talbot underwriter to build political risk line

Property and speciality re/insurer  IQUW has bolstered its political risk unit with a key hire as it looks to grow its books of business in 2023 and beyond with a focus on emerging market risks globally.

Cindy Jiang (pictured) joins the business as political risk underwriter in its specialty division.

As part of the business’s 2023 strategy, Jiang will be responsible for growing IQUW’s political risk business. Based in London, she will report to Chris Wilkinson, head of specialty at IQUW, who has been managing the book since 2021.

Jiang joins IQUW from RBC Capital Markets, where she held the role of equity research associate in the European Insurance Research team. Prior to that, she was class underwriter in political risk and trade credit at Talbot Underwriting.

IQUW’s political risk book is global in scope, with a focus on emerging market risk. The client base includes international banks, public agencies, traders and corporates and provides coverage for their transactions with Sovereign and majority state-owned counterparties and against acts of nationalisation and confiscation. With the ability to offer tenors of up to 15 years, the team plans to be a long-term partner to its clients in support of their business risks.

Wilkinson said: “I am thrilled to have Cindy as part of the team as we grow the Political Risk book in 2023. Her product line expertise supported by her fluency in English, Mandarin and French as well as her proactive attitude will enable IQUW to forge stronger client and broker relationships and deliver excellent service.

“As a team with no legacy portfolio, we are able to present an attractive offering to clients and brokers both in capacity constrained transactions but also with a fresh and unencumbered view of risk. Our entrepreneurial approach means we consider each transaction on its merits and, by combining underwriting expertise with automation and intelligent use of data, we can create innovative solutions to complex problems.”

Jiang said: “IQUW is bringing a different energy to the insurance market and I am delighted to have joined the business at such an exciting time. IQUW is an innovative business with a wealth of expertise that empowers underwriters to make a real impact. I look forward to working with the team to build on the success the business has had to date and growing IQUW’s Political Risk line.”

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