Verve Risk Services has appointed Gordon Steward as head of forestry, as part of its strategy to grow mid-market managing general agent (MGA) platform.
The London-based underwriting agency says the hire reflects its ambition to build a diversified MGA business supported by the Lloyd’s and company markets.
Steward brings nearly four decades of experience in forestry underwriting, most recently serving as managing director, forestry at DUAL Group.
He will focus on small to medium-large forestry companies across Latin America, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, writing a hybrid specialty book that includes both traditional and parametric solutions.
He will also provide tailored coverages designed to meet clients’ climate change and ESG requirements.
Steward says: “[Verve] recognises the huge global potential for growth in the forestry segment and the importance of the long-term relationships I have built.”
Scott Simmons, director at Verve, adds: “We are focused on building a highly specialised MGA business with a diverse portfolio of product lines.
“The key to the success of this strategy will be collaborating with specialist underwriters such as Gordon, who have a deep understanding of their areas of expertise with a strong technical underwriting capability and with long-term capacity support.”
