UP CLOSE: Jonathan Morgan

Jonathan Morgan

LONDON-BASED BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Ascent Underwriting L.L.P.

PREVIOUS POSITION: London-based managing director for Lime Underwriting

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Working for an established managing general agent with an excellent reputation in the insurance market, with strong broker relationships and a current portfolio of cutting-edge products.

GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: To contribute as a key member of the Ascent team, to help build, profile and position Ascent Underwriting as a leading MGA, specializing in emerging and professional risks.

CHALLENGES FACING INDUSTRY: The last decade or so has seen a flood of new capacity into the insurance market. The challenge for insurers and brokers alike is to ensure that the purchase of insurance does not become purely a commodity practice. As professional organizations, we maintain the ability to provide our clients with added value, whether it be in terms or service, quality of product or differentiators.

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: In my view there will be little change. It will remain a buyers' market for the foreseeable future. Good for the clients.

FIRST INDUSTRY JOB: Account executive at British National Insurance Co. Ltd., for three months before they went bust. I then worked for Continental Re (U.K.) in London in the same role before moving into the underwriting room.

ADVICE: Be open-minded, ask questions and always make time to take a step back and evaluate how you are perceived by others.

OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: Easy: professional golfer. I maintain a handicap of 10 even though I am far too busy working to play more than a few rounds a year.

THING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME: I can play the piano, oboe, and guitar — a well-kept secret.

WHEN I RETIRE: I'm looking forward to spending more time with my family and allowing my wife to caddy for me on the Senior golf tour.