Assistant Underwriter

Markel International; Leeds; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15% annual bonus

Holiday buy and sell scheme

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Income protection

Fully funded professional quals

Ongoing training and career dev

Internal progression opportunities

Job summary

Markel International in Leeds is hiring an Assistant Underwriter to join the Renewal Connect team. You will support the underwriting of commercial renewals, work with brokers, and develop technical underwriting skills through structured development and funded qualifications.

The role offers a clear path to Underwriter/Senior Underwriter, with a supportive team and opportunities across multiple underwriting platforms.

Qualifications

• Commercial insurance underwriting experience preferred.
• Minimum 6 months’ underwriting or relevant insurance experience.
• Pursuing CII qualifications encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite renewal business within authority.
• Manage portfolio of renewals and mid-term adjustments.
• Deliver excellent service for brokers and partners.
• Review risks and negotiate terms where appropriate.
• Cross-sell and upsell where possible.
• Monitor broker activity and support performance improvements.
• Collaborate with underwriting teams across the business.

Skills

Commercial underwriting

Underwriting experience

Time management

Relationship building

IT & MS Office

CII qualifications progress

Education

CII qualifications in progress

Tools

Acturis

Websure

IDEAL

Job description

Great starting salary + generous annual bonus + excellent benefits

Looking to build a long-term underwriting career with a business that genuinely develops its people?

At Markel, we're looking for an ambitious Assistant Underwriter to join our highly successful Renewal Connect team in Leeds.

This is an outstanding opportunity for someone with commercial insurance experience who wants to strengthen their underwriting expertise, gain exposure to a wide range of specialist risks and build a long-term career within one of the market's most respected insurance businesses.

You’ll join a supportive team with an excellent reputation for developing talent, where many team members have progressed into Underwriter and Senior Underwriter positions through structured development, funded qualifications and hands‑on mentoring.

Why Join Markel?

At Markel, we know that great careers are built through investment in people.

You’ll work alongside experienced underwriters in a collaborative environment that encourages learning, growth and progression. Whether your ambition is to become a Senior Underwriter, specialise in a particular line of business or explore wider opportunities across the organisation, we’ll provide the support, training and development to help you get there.

This role offers exposure to a diverse portfolio including:

• Professional & Management Risks
• Charity and Not-for-Profit organisations
• Social Welfare business
• Commercial insurance risks across multiple underwriting platforms including Acturis, Websure and IDEAL

The Opportunity:

Working within our Renewal Connect team, you’ll be responsible for managing a high-volume portfolio of commercial insurance renewals, supporting brokers and delivering exceptional underwriting service across a broad range of products and sectors.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys technical underwriting, thrives in a fast‑paced environment and takes pride in delivering excellent service while managing multiple priorities effectively.

You’ll be trusted to make underwriting decisions within your authority levels, build relationships with brokers and collaborate closely with colleagues across the wider business to retain and grow profitable business.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Underwriting commercial renewal business within your authority limits
• Managing a portfolio of renewals and mid‑term adjustments
• Delivering an excellent service experience for brokers
• Reviewing risks and negotiating terms where appropriate
• Retaining existing business and identifying opportunities for cross‑sell and upsell
• Monitoring broker activity and providing insights to support performance improvements
• Building strong relationships with brokers and internal stakeholders
• Prioritising and managing workflow queues to ensure service standards are achieved
• Working collaboratively with technical underwriting teams across the business
• Supporting projects and continuous improvement initiatives as required

What We’re Looking For:

We’re interested in hearing from candidates who have experience within commercial insurance underwriting or a closely aligned insurance environment and are looking to take the next step in their career.

You will ideally bring:

• Commercial insurance experience
• At least 6 months’ underwriting or relevant insurance experience
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building abilities
• High levels of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Strong IT and Microsoft Office skills
• Exposure to charity, social welfare or not‑for‑profit risks
• Progress towards CII qualifications
• Experience working across multiple underwriting platforms

Career Development & Qualifications

One of the biggest attractions of this role is the development opportunity available.

Markel has a strong track record of developing Assistant Underwriters into Underwriter and Senior Underwriter positions, supported by:

• Fully funded CII qualifications
• Dedicated study support
• Structured learning and development
• Exposure to multiple underwriting classes
• Internal career progression opportunities across the business

What You’ll Receive:

• 15% annual bonus opportunity
• Holiday buy and sell scheme
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Income protection
• Fully funded professional qualifications
• Ongoing training and career development
• Access to internal progression opportunities across Markel

At Markel, we’re proud of our people-first culture.

We believe diverse teams create stronger businesses and better outcomes for our customers. Whatever your background, if you’re excited by this opportunity and feel you can make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with all reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful.