Head of Underwriting - Premium Finance

Division Close Brothers Central Functions - Risk

Location: Wimbledon, United Kingdom

Salary: Competitive Basic Salary + Benefits + Discretionary Bonus

At Close Brothers, we seek to recruit individuals from diverse backgrounds and encourage applications even if you do not meet every qualification. We promote diversity, inclusivity, and flexible working options to support work-life balance.

Join the Close Brothers Credit Risk Team, where you will underwrite transactions within personal delegated credit authority and make recommendations to higher approval authorities, including the Group Credit Committee, within agreed SLAs.

As a key member of the Credit Risk team, you should have significant credit approval experience in a financial or insurance institution, enabling you to underwrite transactions aligned with credit risk appetite and policy, with excellent analytical, written, and presentation skills.

1. Lead effective underwriting of customer facilities, broker facilities, and insurer contingent liabilities in Premium Finance, focusing on quality and speed to meet business and broker needs while maintaining credit risk standards.
2. Develop a strong understanding of the Premium Finance business model, engaging stakeholders and providing SME advice on credit risk matters.
3. Lead the Premium Finance Credit Team, fostering a robust learning environment and maintaining high standards in credit documentation.
4. Contribute to the Premium Finance Executive Committee and Credit Risk leadership team, providing updates on portfolio quality and risk issues.
5. Manage credit risk projects, ensuring effective engagement with business and group functions.
6. Oversee and communicate credit risk policies and standards to the business and credit teams.

As a line manager, you will inspire and motivate your team, support their development through coaching, and encourage responsibility for personal growth.

• Extensive experience in financial services with a proven track record in credit approval and management for Commercial and SME clients.
• Experience in the insurance sector.
• Knowledge of banking and insurance products and services.
• Proven leadership skills in team management.
• Understanding of security, legal, and documentation risks related to transactions.
• Ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

• Knowledge of Premium Finance products and services (desirable).

We are committed to accessibility and inclusivity. Adjustments can be made for candidates with disabilities or long-term conditions. For alternative formats or further discussion, please contact us at .

Close Brothers supports work-life balance with flexible, hybrid working arrangements. We are a leading UK merchant banking group with approximately 3,000 employees across the UK and Ireland, listed on the London Stock Exchange and part of the FTSE 250.

Our mission is to be the best place in the UK for wealth professionals and clients, providing financial advice and investment services to a diverse clientele, including professionals, business owners, and charities. We value sustainability, social responsibility, and diversity, aiming for an inclusive workforce from the top down.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and are open to training and flexible working options to support your work-life balance.