Pivix confirms Gramm hire to lead new wholesale brokerage unit

By Chris Munro

Aug 19 - (The Insurer) - Pivix Specialty Insurance Services has confirmed the hire of Michael Gramm with the recruit tasked with building a business unit that underwrites brokered accounts.

This publication revealed in May that Pivix, a recently launched and Ambac-backed MGU focused on the E&S market, had brought in Gramm from Futuristic Underwriters to lead the launch of a new wholesale brokerage unit.

And Pivix has now confirmed that Gramm has joined the business as senior vice president and chief underwriting officer – brokerage.

Surplus lines veteran Mike Miller unveiled Pivix last September, with the Scottsdale, Arizona-based business subsequently securing capacity from Canopius to begin underwriting an E&S P&C contract binding program targeted at small commercial property and general liability risks.

The brokerage unit that Gramm is spearheading will focus on larger and more complex casualty risks.

All of Pivix’s products are written on an E&S basis and distributed exclusively through wholesale channels.

“Since day one, our vision was to build an E&S platform with two underwriting prongs - contract binding for SME and brokerage for larger accounts,” said Miller, Pivix’s president and CEO.

“Our binding authority facility has had great success so far. We have similarly high expectations for the brokerage program, and we look forward to working with Mike Gramm, as well as our carrier and wholesale partners, in continuing to build and develop these programs.”

Gramm brings 20 years of industry experience to Pivix, and most recently served as senior vice president at Futuristic, an MGU he helped launch in 2023.

Prior to Futuristic, Gramm held senior roles with casualty underwriting responsibilities at Hallmark, Navigators and XL Catlin.

“We anticipate developing various casualty and property brokerage programs over time and expect to announce our first program shortly,” declared Gramm.