Pen Underwriting reshapes divisional structure to strengthen regional growth

Pen Underwriting has introduced a streamlined divisional structure aimed at enhancing its core commercial underwriting services across the UK and Ireland, designed to benefit brokers and support the company’s regional expansion strategy.

Sarah Breslin will lead the newly formed Commercial UK & Ireland division as Managing Director, bringing together teams with expertise in specialised, risk-managed commercial insurance.

The division will cover property, casualty, fleet, and financial lines, strengthening Pen’s overall underwriting capabilities.

Additionally, the change coincides with the retirement of Richard Webb, MD of UK Financial Lines & Specialty Liability. After nearly 40 years in the industry—including leadership roles at General Accident, Hiscox, HCC, Manchester Underwriting Management, and Pen—Richard will depart later this year.

Tom Downey, Chief Executive Officer of Pen Underwriting, commented: “As a result of bringing Wrightway into the Pen family and establishing our first on-the-ground presence in Ireland, we redoubled our focus on how best to grow and expand our business on a more regional basis across the UK and Ireland. Richard’s decision to hang up his ‘work boots’ gave rise to a natural opportunity to create a more unified commercial division that brings together all our complementary risk management and underwriting specialisms.

“Having already been leading on Wrightway’s integration into the Pen family, as part of her role as MD of our Specialty division, Sarah is ideally placed to lead the enlarged, combined Commercial division to deliver what brokers and their customers need, when and where they need it.

“I would also like to thank Richard for everything he has done for Pen and the wider industry. His breadth of experience, market knowledge, sector collaboration and divisional leadership have been of great benefit to Pen and leave his specialist teams in a strong position to continue their consistent growth and evolution under Sarah’s leadership.”

This restructuring follows Pen’s expansion into Ireland last year, marked by the acquisition of Wexford-based Wrightway Underwriting, a specialist in haulage and transportation insurance. The acquisition provides a foundation for developing and distributing new products in both the UK and Irish markets.

Breslin added: “I’m excited to lead this combined team as we head into 2025, prioritising the breadth and depth of our product offering across our UK office network and into the Republic of Ireland. Bringing together all our commercial underwriting expertise will provide broker partners with an even stronger service and solution proposition, as we reinforce our regional focus.

“Our aim is to make it easier for brokers to navigate our full range of risk and insurance solutions to ensure we are always delivering the best value for their customers.”

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