Underwriter, Marine Cargo

The Role

The Marine team writes business across most Marine classes including Liabilities, Cargo, Ports and Terminals, War and Hull. 

We are looking for an experienced Underwriter to join the Marine team in London, with a specific focus on Marine Cargo. The portfolio is a worldwide general cargo account covering transit and storage. Coverage is for physical damage and in some segments, financial consequences. We write primary and excess business. The new underwriter will get involved in all areas of the account.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the execution of the Marine underwriting strategy, contributing to profitable growth, portfolio optimisation, and strengthening Canopius’ market position in marine cargo with a particular emphasis on growth in our leadership profile. 

They will operate with a level of underwriting authority, demonstrating disciplined risk selection, technical pricing expertise, strong broker and client engagement and a leadership profile. 

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Cargo in executing the Marine cargo underwriting strategy aligned to business plan, risk appetite, and return targets

• Underwrite new and renewal cargo risks including the ability to lead, whilst ,ensuring disciplined risk selection and pricing adequacy

• Drive profitable growth through portfolio management, cycle awareness, and proactive identification of high-quality opportunities

• Build and maintain strong broker and client relationships to enhance Canopius’ market profile and access to business

• Demonstrate technical expertise across the cargo book  including coverage structuring and wordings negotiation

• Collaborate closely with actuarial, claims, exposure management and reinsurance teams to inform underwriting decisions and portfolio strategy

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal controls, and underwriting governance standards

• Analyse portfolio performance, producing insight-led reporting to support decision-making

• Contribute to innovation and continuous improvement, challenging existing approaches where appropriate

• Support and mentor junior team members, contributing to capability development within the Marine team

• Maintain strong internal relationships across underwriting platforms and international offices to ensure consistency and knowledge sharing

• Represent Canopius in the market, including broker meetings, industry events, and client engagement

• Maintain up-to-date market knowledge, including emerging risks, legal developments, and competitor activity

Skills and Experience

• Significant underwriting experience within Marine cargo insurance, ideally within the Lloyd’s or London Market 

• Proven track record of managing and growing a profitable portfolio with demonstrable underwriting discipline 

• Strong technical capability in risk assessment, pricing, and policy structuring 

• Established broker relationships and credible market presence 

• Ability to operate autonomously with strong decision-making capability within authority limits 

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and portfolio performance metrics 

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills (written and verbal) 

• Commercial mindset with a focus on delivering sustainable profitability 

• High attention to detail and strong organisational capability 

• Collaborative approach with the ability to influence stakeholders across functions