Pen Underwriting has appointed Jamie Lawson as head of digital e-trade, a newly created role designed to oversee and coordinate the company’s digital growth initiatives across its underwriting and distribution divisions. Lawson, previously the e-trading and schemes director within Pen’s SME & personal lines division, will take on his new responsibilities on July 1.
Key Appointment
Lawson will lead a team focused on expanding digital trading across all four of Pen’s trading divisions. He will report to COO Hannah Fry, and his team will be integrated into the central COO division. Having joined Pen in 2015, Lawson has played a crucial role in developing e-trading capabilities, particularly in the SME and personal lines sector.
Digital Growth in Insurance
The appointment comes amid a growing trend in the UK insurance market, where digital e-trade is becoming increasingly mainstream. Reports indicate that over 60% of brokers now regularly use insurer extranets for quoting, with some accessing up to 40 sites per risk. In 2024, Polaris’ imarket platform processed £449 million in gross written premiums, marking a 15% year-on-year increase. Insurers such as Aviva and Eaton Gate have expanded their digital trading capabilities in response to broker demand for more efficient systems.
Regional Significance
The South of England, a key region for Pen’s operations, has seen significant growth in digital trading due to its high concentration of small and medium-sized enterprises and established broker networks. Pen’s focus on centralizing its digital trading function aligns with broader market trends, particularly the increasing need for streamlined digital engagement across the sector.
Strategic Objectives
Fry highlighted that Pen’s goal of reaching £1.75 billion in gross written premiums by 2030 makes improving digital engagement with brokers a priority. Lawson’s team will work closely with each of Pen’s trading divisions to support operational efficiency and enhance the company’s e-trading platforms. Lawson emphasized that the focus will be on improving the speed and efficiency of Pen’s digital trading environment, which will help brokers remain competitive and support the company’s strategic objectives. He also noted the importance of tailoring digital solutions to the specific needs of different product lines to ensure that e-trade delivers maximum benefit across Pen’s portfolio.
