Hiscox names new group chief underwriting officer

Hiscox has promoted Joanne Musselle to be its new group chief underwriting officer, expanding her responsibilities from a similar role at Hiscox Retail, its largest division, which she assumed in 2018.

Musselle, who said profitable underwriting is “the backbone of Hiscox”, will assume her new responsibilities at the end of the year, following the retirement of Richard Watson, announced in June. She also joins the Hiscox board as an executive director in February 2020, subject to regulatory consent.

In her time at Hiscox Retail Musselle has overseen the underwriting for Hiscox UK, Hiscox Europe, Hiscox USA, Hiscox Special Risks and Hiscox Asia, driving profitable growth in GWP of almost 25 percent across the retail portfolio.

Musselle has been with Hiscox for 17 years, having joined the UK business in 2002 as technical underwriting manager for professions and specialty commercial lines. Since then she has held a variety of senior roles, including head of UK claims and chief underwriting officer for Hiscox UK and Ireland. Before Hiscox she worked at AXA and Aviva in both the UK and Asian markets.

She already sits on a number of subsidiary boards and is an active underwriter for Syndicate 3624 and a Hiscox partner.

Bronek Masojada, Hiscox CEO, said the company had considered a number of strong internal and external candidates. “She has overseen strong, profitable growth in our retail casualty and property portfolios and has confidently led the business through a number of changes in course when market conditions have been tough. [Musselle’s] commerciality, long-term view and ability to challenge will make her a valuable member of our Executive team.”