Warren Partners NED: Non-Executive Director – General Insurance (IT Specialism)/Chair of Committee

Non-Executive Director – General Insurance (IT Specialism)/Chair of Committee  

Employer: UIA (Insurance) Ltd

Sector: Financial Services (Financial Mutual/General Insurance)

Directors’ Fee: £30,450 with an additional £3,045 associated with Chair of Committee responsibilities (total: £33,495)

Commitment: 2-3 days per month

Location: Stevenage, Hertfordshire

UIA is a mutual insurance company with over 125 years' experience of providing great value, high quality insurance to members of selected trade unions and other not-for-profit organisations. Their services are also available to the general public hoping to benefit from their competitive premiums and wide cover on home insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance and car insurance. Being mutual means UIA are owned by their policyholders; which enables them to keep premiums low, provide excellent products and employ highly trained staff. The company is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA); they are members of the Association of Financial Mutuals.

UIA’s financial performance was strong in 2014/15, and the number of members taking out their policies has continued to grow; this solid performance was accomplished through firm underwriting discipline, keeping costs low, and achieving a solid return from investment funds. Group total assets amount to circa £80M. The company is solely UK-based, with a central call centre encompassing the entire operation (circa 80 staff) from sales and policy administration to claims handling and payment in Stevenage, and an out-of-hours 24/7 claims service operating from Cardiff. The company’s aim is to grow the business so that they can continue to offer their members competitive household and other quality insurance products in the long-term.

Following the decision of the current Chair of Risk Committee to stand down after six years in post, UIA is looking for a new incumbent to the role. The Board are using the opportunity to look to attract someone capable of shaping how the Group responds strategically to technological developments; someone who will be able to provide oversight and input to the Board in the future as it considers key technology investment decisions and overall project frameworks. Able to input to strategy from a technology perspective, they will also bring to the Board an understanding of operational risk, how it is managed and mitigated; their experience of regulated environments should ensure they have an understanding of the broader management of risk. This could be a candidate’s first Non-Executive Director appointment; however, it is very likely that they will already have significant Board or Divisional Board experience in UK retail financial services - general insurance experience will be essential. Experience of successful IT implementation along with the ability to identify both potential risks and opportunities this brings; as well as knowledge of online technology, how to identify/prioritise new initiatives and link technology to customer needs, would be advantageous.

The appointment will be subject to PRA/FCA approval and may require an individual to undergo a Significant Influence Functions (SIF) interview.

Please reply by clicking here, submitting a CV and short covering letter demonstrating how you meet the requirements of this role, quoting Reference Number  RAGF5217. Alternatively, for an informal and confidential discussion please call our advising consultants - Rupert Gibb or Martine Scott-Gordon - on 0845 261 0600.

All third party and direct applications will be forwarded to Warren Partners.

Please submit a short covering letter demonstrating how you meet the requirements of the role and reply with your CV by clicking "Apply" and quoting reference number: RAGF5217EA. Alternatively, please Tel: 0845 261 0600.

All third party and direct applications will be forwarded to Warren Partners.