Niraj Shah (pictured above) is joining specialist engineering and technology insurer HSB as chief underwriting officer for the UK and Ireland.
Described as an insurance leader with underwriting, actuarial, finance, and transformation expertise, Shah succeeds underwriting director Stephen Morris (pictured below) who is retiring this year after more than four decades in the industry.
Shah’s credentials include time spent at Co-op Insurance, Ageas UK, and Zego. At HSB, he will be in charge of underwriting standards and strategy across the UK and Ireland, as well as leading the underwriting standards and strategy team.
Morris, after handing over his responsibilities to Shah, will continue to support the insurer’s strategic business priorities until his retirement later this year. He came onboard HSB in 2008 and took on the top underwriting post in 2014.
“I want to thank Stephen for his outstanding contribution to HSB over the last 15 years; he’s been instrumental in revising our underwriting strategy, supporting our growth ambitions, and implementing new technologies and underwriting development,” commented HSB chief executive Stephen Worrall.
“After 40 years in the insurance industry we will miss his experience, but wish him all the best in his retirement.”
The CEO, meanwhile, also had nothing but nice words for the new CUO in London.
“We are delighted to welcome Niraj to HSB,” said Worrall. “As data insights and analysis, together with pricing strategies, become more critical across all our UK and Ireland businesses, Niraj’s background and experience will further complement our leadership team.
“His substantial experience and strong track record in the sector make him an excellent fit for HSB to help drive our ambitious plans for the business forward.”
The appointment is subject to regulatory approval.
