Mosaic launches political risk talent programme

Mosaic Insurance has launched a programme connecting senior political risk leaders with emerging geopolitical talent.

The initiative began with a day-long forum at Lloyd’s, sponsored by Mosaic, bringing together political risk executives from broking and underwriting with master’s and doctoral students from Cambridge University.

The forum focused on the insurance industry, career opportunities, the Lloyd’s market and how political risk transfer aligns with students’ academic expertise.

Mark Wheeler, co-CEO of Mosaic, said: “Our aim is to create a light-touch, high-quality pathway that demystifies political risk and helps young talent understand our insurance market, while enabling the sector to identify, develop, and support future specialists.

“We hope to build a cross-market network that connects talented graduates with rising demand in an increasingly relevant line of business.”

The forum included presentations from senior political risk brokers and insurers, an overview of Lloyd’s history and market model, a Q&A with HR leaders, and a tour of Lloyd’s One Lime Street building.

Lloyd’s chair Sir Charles Roxburgh hosted the students for lunch in the Adam Room, addressing the group.

Roxburgh said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to bring together leaders from the world of insurance with students to talk about one of the most innovative areas in risk today.

“Political risk lies at the heart of some of the most important challenges facing businesses and communities around the world, and insurance plays a critical role by enabling companies to invest with more confidence, facilitating trade, and helping communities become more resilient.”

Roxburgh said the forum also aligned with Lloyd’s wider talent strategy.

“As part of our new strategy at Lloyd’s, we have refocused our efforts to attract talent to the London market, including a commitment to double our intake of young professionals to help build rewarding careers in the industry.

“We’re excited by initiatives like this that contribute to that goal.”

Speakers included John Owen, CEO of AXIS Managing Agency; Charles Berry, founder of BPL; Andy Lennard, founder, chair and CEO of The Texel Group; Finn McGuirk, global head of political risk at Mosaic; and Nick Donovan, director of market development at Lloyd’s.

The forum was attended by 29 master’s and doctoral students from the Centre for Risk Studies, with faculty members Danny Ralph, founder and director of the centre, and Trevor Maynard, vice chair and director of systemic risk.

David Benyon, editor of Global Reinsurance and founder-editor of The Political Risk Podcast, served as master of ceremonies for the day.

Claire Eeles, chief people officer at Mosaic; Nathan Adam, chief people officer at Lloyd’s; Gail Stanley, HR director, international and global facultative, Gallagher Re; and Timothy Less, analyst and geopolitics professor at the Centre for Risk Studies, Judge Business School, Cambridge, also spoke.

Mosaic’s political risk underwriting team also participated.

Less said: “The forum gave our students a unique opportunity to engage directly with the world of political risk insurance, meet leading figures from across the sector, and explore career pathways available in commercial insurance.

“At a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, it was especially valuable for them to see how political risk analysis is applied in practice.”

Lennard said: “The private insurance market continues to provide the confidence that enables progress.

“Those of us who have built our careers in this market have a responsibility to pass on that knowledge and opportunity to the next generation.

“We must show that insurance is not simply about managing risk, it is about enabling enterprise, supporting communities, and creating fulfilling careers that deliver lasting value to society.”

Berry added: “The London insurance market generally has a great story to tell, and we need to communicate it to the best and the brightest.”

Mosaic said the programme could develop into mentorship opportunities, job-shadowing, graduate placements, internships and a wider professional network for students interested in political risk insurance.

Mila Roemer, a Master of Philosophy candidate in development studies at Cambridge, said: “As a student with a background in geopolitical risk, conflict, and governance, I found it enlightening to see how many of the issues I study academically are assessed and managed in a commercial context.

“It not only provided insight into the industry but also introduced career paths I hadn’t previously considered.”