Dual UK forms Best-led climate risk and resilience underwriting unit

By Rebecca Delaney

March 11 - (The Insurer) - Howden's MGA arm Dual UK has formed a climate risk and resilience underwriting team, with a remit to launch a series of insurance products to enable businesses to address the challenges and opportunities associated with decarbonisation, sustainability and net zero.

The team will be led by Rob Best as managing director. Best joined Dual in April last year, prior to which he was managing director at MX Underwriting and InsureOnce.

Best is supported by David Sparrow, global director of the multinational client program at Arcadis, and former CEO of consultancy firm EC Harris.

Dual UK's climate risk and resilience underwriting team comprises underwriting director Simon White, formerly ESG director at MX Underwriting, and Samantha Walters, who previously served as ESG underwriter at MX Underwriting for four years with a focus on environment and decarbonisation.

Also joining Dual's new team from MX Underwriting is Chris Gwynn, who has been named lead underwriter for social and public law.

Stockholm-based lead underwriter for environment and climate Rikke Olesen joined Dual earlier this year from Chubb, where she served as portfolio manager, environmental risks in Nordic countries.

“Over the next few months, our focus will be on delivering innovative solutions to our chosen markets to ensure insurance plays its part in unlocking the investment potential of the drive to net-zero. This will enable our brokers and their clients to respond effectively to the emerging risks and opportunities,” said Best.

Dual's climate risk and resilience team mirrors that of parent company Howden. The team is led by Rowan Douglas as CEO.