HIVE expands into political violence and terrorism

HIVE Underwriters has launched a political violence and terrorism (PVT) offering with the appointment of Stuart Harmer as class underwriter, PVT.

Harmer will join the independent specialty MGA on completion of his current contractual obligations.

He brings extensive experience in the political violence and terrorism market, with established broker and capacity relationships across the global specialty sector.

HIVE said the launch of PVT marks a further step in its evolution into a multi-class specialty MGA, following its aviation and space capabilities and ahead of the launch of marine later this year.

The new division will be underpinned by enhanced digital infrastructure.

Following the recent appointment of George Stylli as chief technology officer, the business has invested in advanced triage and exposure management systems, enhanced data architecture and dynamic threat assessment tools.

HIVE said the approach mirrors the disciplined, technology-enabled model applied across its aviation war portfolio, combining specialist underwriting with intelligent aggregation control.

Under Harmer’s leadership, the PVT platform will focus on disciplined risk selection, data-informed decision-making and close alignment with brokers and capital partners.

The MGA said it will concentrate on specialist segments of the political violence and terrorism market where underwriting insight and structural expertise are key to sustainable performance.

Bruce Carman (pictured), CEO of HIVE Underwriters, said: “Political Violence & Terrorism is a highly nuanced class where underwriting judgement, geopolitical insight and structural discipline are critical. In today’s volatile environment, brokers and clients need partners who combine specialist expertise with rigorous exposure management.”

He added: “As we expand into PVT, Stuart will be supported by advanced triage and exposure management systems, enhanced data architecture and dynamic threat assessment tools, reflecting the disciplined, technology-enabled approach we apply across our war and aviation portfolio.”

Carman continued: “The addition of PVT is a natural step in HIVE’s evolution as a multi-class specialty MGA. We deliberately build complementary lines around exceptional underwriters, providing them with the autonomy, technology and aligned capacity to create resilient, high-quality portfolios.

“Stuart is widely respected for his technical expertise and disciplined approach, and we’re very much looking forward to supporting him as he establishes a distinctive, knowledge-led PVT platform within HIVE.”