Rising Star: Lillian Griffiths

Lillian Griffiths joined Hiscox in 2021 after graduating from George Washington University and was later promoted to underwriter in Hiscox Re & ILS’s international property segment in 2024.

How and why did you decide on a career in re/insurance?

Growing up in Bermuda, I naturally immersed in the world of insurance and reinsurance. I had always observed that when people in our industry spoke about their jobs, they seemed to genuinely enjoy them. That was attractive to me. From a career perspective, underwriting offers the perfect combination of meeting new people, working collaboratively in a team, and having space to work independently. It is also a unique blend of qualitative and quantitative analysis, which is intellectually rewarding.

Tell us about your career to date.

I started interning annually at insurance firms from the age of 16. That exposure gave me a holistic view of the industry, including areas like mergers and acquisitions, finance, operations and underwriting. My career began at Hiscox through their graduate scheme – a fast-paced rotational programme that was both challenging and enriching. I gained experience across US and International property underwriting, specialty underwriting, actuarial and claims departments. This foundation helped me understand how different roles interact and how teams can overcome problems.

Currently, I am part of the international property team, focusing on non-US opportunities. I find it exciting to meet with people from all over the world and to see how risks vary or converge across different geographies. The role is dynamic, shaped by diverse regulatory environments, cultural nuances and the challenge of global risk.

What are the opportunities and challenges you have faced?

One of the biggest opportunities I’ve had was during the graduate scheme when I was given a lot of responsibility early on. I led client meetings on my own and reviewed others’ work, which made me feel part of the team and accelerated my learning. I am grateful to Hiscox for that trust and for creating an environment where young talent can thrive.

More recently, I have been focused on leveraging the vast amount of data available to Hiscox. I have worked with tools like SQL, built macros and created PowerBi reports. While learning these new skills has been a challenge, it’s also a huge opportunity to unlock insights and make our work even more effective.

Has the re/insurance industry been a supportive environment for a young professional?

Absolutely. I have been fortunate to have incredible mentors who have guided me through technical aspects of deal pricing and portfolio analytics, introducing me to people and supporting me in building out my network. Their support has been invaluable in shaping my career and helping me navigate the complexities of the re/insurance space.

What are your future career goals?

As someone still early in my career, my immediate goal is to deepen my technical expertise and continue learning from the wealth of experience around me. Hiscox has a diverse array of departments, and I want to make the most of the opportunity to learn from experts across the business.

On a broader level, one of the fascinating aspects of this industry is that it is a window into other people’s businesses; not just our clients but, frequently, their clients as well. My goal is to continue expanding my knowledge and enjoying the process.

What advice would you give to young professionals looking to join the industry?

It’s an exciting time to enter into reinsurance, and Hiscox. Hiscox has been around since 1901, adapting to meet emerging risks across decades. Today, we’re tackling critical global challenges from the impacts of climate change and increasing secondary perils to cyber risks and geopolitical uncertainty. Every underwriting team has to consider these challenges, and we also have dedicated teams focused on understanding and addressing new risks.

If you had a different career, what would it be?

I’ve always been drawn to architecture (I loved watching House Hunters and looking at houses), and the idea of building something that lasts. Architecture, much like underwriting, has a nice blend of arts and maths.

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