Pinpoint UK debuts as AM Specialty’s newest powerhouse

“The big attraction with Pinpoint was its discovery of genuine business niches and the advantage of being a privately owned company,” shared Darren Powell, chief underwriting officer of Pinpoint UK, the latest expansion into the London Market for AM Specialty Insurance Company.

The company has chosen Monte Carlo to unveil Pinpoint’s unique business model to the re/insurance world and Powell, who brings more than 30 years of industry experience, is eager to get stuck in and lead this new venture.

Reflecting on his career, Powell reminisced: “I started at RSA in London, where I worked on multinational business. 

“In the early 2000s, I joined Allied World shortly after it launched and helped to build its London office. 

“That experience was pivotal, especially as I took on leadership roles including active underwriter and director of underwriting.” 

Powell has since developed a deep understanding of international and US business, which will be essential for leading Pinpoint’s operations in London.

“I was lucky to be part of RSA’s graduate training programme which involved working in every department for two years—claims, underwriting, finance and others,” he said. 

“That level of exposure and technical training gave me insights into the entire company, and it’s a type of investment we rarely see today.”

This depth of experience is one of the key assets Powell brings to Pinpoint UK. 

“Throughout my career, I’ve seen markets harden and soften, and I’ve learned that it’s not only about price—sustainability also matters.

“Coverage needs to be robust and well-understood, else it becomes unsustainable,” Powell noted. 

Capturing the niche market

“At Pinpoint, we’re using our historical knowledge to identify and focus on niches that offer long-term stability and growth potential,” Powell said.

His decision to join Pinpoint UK was influenced by the company’s structure and clear focus on underwriting. 

“What drew me to Pinpoint was its niche approach and the fact that it’s a privately owned company,” he explained. 

“That ownership gives us the flexibility to make quick decisions without being bogged down by corporate layers.

“Each team member adds real value to the decision-making process, and that’s a huge advantage when we’re working with brokers.

“We don’t need to wait; we can provide quick, definitive answers.”

Pinpoint UK is uniquely positioned within the AM Specialty Group, a factor that Powell sees as a significant asset. 

“When I met Simon Barder and Shevawn Barder, the chairman and chief executive officer of AM Specialty, it was clear they had a deep connection with London, having worked here as brokers and underwriters,” Powell recalled. 

“They understand the global reinsurance market London offers, and our presence here will align perfectly with what we’re already doing in the US market.

“The business they have built in the US is very impressive, and we’ll benefit from their expertise, especially in areas such as claims-handling and data technology.”

A bank of clean data

Powell emphasised the importance of data in modern underwriting, noting that Pinpoint’s tech capabilities offer a distinct advantage: “We have an impressive system with a broad capture of clean, quality data,” he said.

“The data goes back a long way and hasn’t been muddled by multiple mergers or acquisitions.

“The technology will be crucial as we move forward and will allow us to make informed, efficient decisions,” Powell explained.

Another key differentiator for Pinpoint UK is its ability to offer both insurance and reinsurance products, and that gives it flexibility, he added. 

“The reinsurance market in our space is healthy and we have a very low catastrophe profile, so we’re not dependent on reinsurance purchasing.

“That flexibility is vital in navigating the current landscape,” he said.

Looking ahead, Powell said Pinpoint UK will focus on true specialty lines. “We’re looking at property, specialty property programmes, casualty, transportation, and marine risks,” he shared.

“The relationships we build today will be the foundation of our success tomorrow.”

“We’ll explore miscellaneous specialty risks. It’s about finding those true niches—areas where there’s long-term viability.” 

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Powell is excited about the potential for innovation in London. “There are always new opportunities coming through, and with the experience and bank strength we have, we can analyse and respond to these quickly,” he said.

“Collaboration is key—whether it’s with brokers, insurers, managing general agents, or reinsurers, the relationships we build today will be the foundation of our success tomorrow.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the same partners for decades, and those relationships have been instrumental in achieving long-term success,” he concluded.

Darren Powell the chief underwriting officer of Pinpoint UK. He can be contacted at: darren.powell@pinpoint-ins.com  

For more news from the Rendez-Vous de Septembre (RVS) click here.

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