Meet Richard Brown, SVP, Head of UK and International Retail Property
What is your back story?
I’ve been in the industry since 1994 and, like many graduates, didn’t have a career plan. I applied to do an MBA and at the same time saw a graduate trainee opportunity at Sun Alliance in Horsham. My parents live in Horsham so the attraction at the time was I could walk to work. I’d also enjoyed working there in the summer of 1989 and using some of my earnings to buy my first CD player! 27 years on, I look back and am very grateful for the opportunities the industry has given me and the interesting people I’ve met and worked with.
Outside work, I am a motorsport fan, in particular Formula 1 and Le Mans. I used to regularly do track days and compete in hill climb sprints, but family duties have taken priority in recent years. I’m hoping to get back on track in 2022 and feel the adrenalin rush again! I also love to travel and keep active.
Tell us about your day job …
I joined Sompo International in January 2021 with a brief to build a new team focused on writing both UK and International retail property business.
We are in our first year so are in build phase internally and externally. Key objectives are to articulate to stakeholders our plan and strategy while developing and enhancing our underwriting tools and technologies.
We have the opportunity to build from the ground up. We are looking to adopt artificial intelligence in our underwriting analysis and assessment and take advantage of new technology and data sources to provide underwriters with accurate and detailed information. This can benefit clients two-fold; providing a focused risk management approach and also a transparency in our underwriting assessment and pricing.
I’m also spending a lot of time speaking to brokers and clients about our plans and strategy and how our wider ambitions over the next 3–5 years can add value to their business and the evolving risk landscape.
What’s your USP?
I’ve been very fortunate in recruiting talented and well-respected underwriters to work with me. We have an incredible team spirit. The depth of knowledge and empowerment allows us to respond promptly to opportunities. We are solution-driven underwriters and have an entrepreneurial spirit which runs throughout the company.
Last word
The energy and passion to succeed within Sompo International is a real motivator. Being part of an organisation that has the ambition and potential to become a top ten global insurer is an exciting place to be.