Luis Miguel Fernandes

• Promoted to Senior Underwriting Manager
• Responsible for Underwriting, Operations, Governance, Contract management, issuing and maintaining mandates and all functions of Head of Sales
• Manage facultative reinsurance placements inwards and outwards, on both proportional and non-proportional basis.
• Manage Reinsurance Treaty renewal: oversight on preparation of data sets, engaging with reinsurance broker and Reinsurers, negotiating, reviewing slips and approval thereof.
• Implemented underwriting analytics to refine risk assessment and pricing models
• Leading a team of underwriters, fostering a culture of continuous development and performance excellence
• Member of the Management Committee
• Member of the Claims Committee
• Coordinated cross-functional projects aimed at improving overall business performance through innovative problem-solving approaches
• Maximized revenue generation by optimizing pricing strategies based on risk profiles
• Analyzed market trends to identify potential risks and opportunities for strategic business development initiatives
• Reduced loss ratios while maintaining competitive rates through diligent risk selection and adherence to company guidelines
• Cell captives (first and third party), actively consulting with brokers and clients in optimizing structures of cell captives, collaborating with and cross-selling to Captive division
• Increased Underwriting Profits by 300% in the past financial year (1/07 - 30/06) through repricing, risk selection, wording reviews, and implementing controls to reduce claims leakage
• Conducted regular performance reviews for team members, fostering professional growth and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
• Ensured efficient workflow management by establishing clear priorities and monitoring progress regularly.

• Developing and maintaining the Underwriting Governance, Underwriting Philosophy and controls;
• Primarily responsible for developing the sales strategy and tactics to close business opportunities (while writing for profitability and sustainability) – developing a pipeline, achieving quotation target, maintain adequate conversion ratios
• Facilitate the achievement of set targets by driving sales performance; Manage and drive the turnaround time in terms of targets to ensure a high sales performance;
• Assist team members, as necessary, by interacting with clients in order to facilitate Sales and Underwriting transactions;
• Communicate processes, control requirements, risk management frameworks and regulatory requirements that impact the Sales and Underwriting process
• Build and maintain relationships with clients and stakeholders; Make recommendations to align service offering with client needs;
• Manage a client service excellence culture which builds enduring relationships and allows the team to provide exceptional client service;
• Manage the introduction of new channels for client interaction in order to improve client services against service expectations
• Renewal management on large/complex accounts/structured facilities; Technical advisory & support on complex claims;
• Oversight of Reinsurance Inwards and Outwards placements;
• Reinsurance Treaty: oversight on data set, engaging with Reinsurers and reinsurance brokers, negotiating terms and conditions, sign off on final terms/ and slips.
• Risk surveys and identifying risk reduction requirements and imposing restrictive underwriting measures where required (i.e
• Imposing punitive deductibles, reduction in capacity, removal of perils)
• Cell captives (first and third party), actively consulting with brokers and clients in optimizing structures of cell captives, collaborating with and cross-selling to Captive division
• Developed strong client relationships for improved customer satisfaction and repeat business.

• Primary responsibilities include: Sales and Technical Underwriting Leadership in the Coastal Region – Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Namibia)
• National Operations, Financial Reporting, Compliance, and Projects
• National Claims Oversight & Leadership (mid- May 2020 to mid-July 2021)
• Underwriting authority: ZAR250,000,000 – Cargo - maximum treaty capacity); ZAR 50,000,000 – Hull - maximum treaty capacity); ZAR 100,000,000 – Liabilities - maximum treaty capacity)
• Boosted brand growth by devising strategic network and marketing tactics
• Developed and executed successful business plans that resulted in improved market share and profitability within the region
• Collaborated with executive leadership to establish long-term objectives, drive growth initiatives, and align regional efforts with corporate goals
• Managed P&L to decrease discrepancies and retain timely and under-budget project completion
• Enhanced team performance by providing regular coaching, training, and performance feedback to staff members
• Sing off and control of Facultative Reinsurance Inwards and outwards within my portfolio.
• Reinsurance Treaty renewal: driving the delivery of data sets, presenting market overview and strategy to Reinsurers, working closely with internal Reinsurance team, engaging with Reinsurers where queries are raised, review of slips and sign off thereof.
• Developed and executed successful business plans that resulted in improved market share and profitability within the region.

• Distribution of Marine, Engineering & Travel Insurance
• Sales coaching & Leadership
• During this time I remained the Senior Market facing Underwriter for Marine Lines of Business
• Generated new business with marketing initiatives and strategic plans
• Negotiated and closed long-term agreements with new clients in assigned territory.
• Oversight on facultative Reinsurance placements (inwards and outwards).

• Managing the Marine Portfolio within West Coast Region
• New Business Development, Broker servicing, Research and Innovation
• Reporting, Rating and structuring of risks, Reinsurance placements (sourcing and securing on a facultative basis)
• Directing underwriting administration and claims where required
• Underwriting Authority: ZAR 100,000,000 (maximum treaty capacity) - Hull, Cargo & Liability.
• Oversight on facultative reinsurance placements (in/out).

• Insurance Executive – Brokering – All classes of business with a focus on corporate property, engineering, liability and marine
• Responsible for technical advisory, risk and needs analysis, structuring cover, product development, client servicing, developing and maintaining relationships with Lloyd's brokers, Underwriting Management Agencies, Insurers and service providers

• Promoted from Underwriter: New Markets in August 2015
• Member of the Management Committee
• Underwriting (non-life), New Business Development (both direct and through a broker network), Reinsurance – Fronting and FAC placements, Special acceptances),
• Monitoring and controlling; Forecasting, budgeting and reporting;
• Mentoring, training and development of staff
• Rating and structuring of Corporate and Commercial business across classes including, but not limited to: Assets All Risk, Commercial Insurance, Casualty and Financial Lines, Marine, and Personal Lines;

International Commercial & Engineering Seguros was acquired by Hollard in March 2022.

• Managed underwriting, risk analysis, and administration for marine insurance lines.
• Enhanced regional service for marine markets in the Western and Eastern Cape and Africa through strategic advisory and consulting (managing facultative inwards placements)/
• Strengthened retention and relationships, ensuring effective portfolio management by negotiating risk exposures and implementing risk management tools
• Supported credit control efforts in reducing aged debtors and fulfilled various managerial tasks, aiding in business development back-up functions
• Oversaw scheme management, compliance, and agency maintenance, promoting quality control, renewals, and risk management through surveys

• Underwriting Administration – Cargo, Hull, Transit, Liabilities
• Allocation of workflow to Underwriting Team
• General Office administration
• Assisting with quotations