Simon Basham
Summary
With 25 years of comprehensive experience across the insurance market, including a decade specialising in Cyber insurance, currently leading the cyber broking function at Willis. Demonstrates exceptional stakeholder engagement across diverse disciplines, fostering a deep understanding of industry dynamics and behaviours. Proven entrepreneurial acumen with a history of creating large-scale facilities, notably establishing a global cyber insurance facility generating over USD50m in gross written premium within two years. Possesses strong relationship development and management skills, adept at navigating both hard and soft market cycles. A track record of creating new roles and leading teams, with a passion for coaching and developing colleagues. An influential relationship builder committed to integrity while collaborating with stakeholders to forge robust partnerships.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Head of Cyber & Technology Broking
Willis
London
01.2021 - Current
- Responsible inwardly and externally for all facets of Willis Cyber and Technology Professional Indemnity broking strategy, delivery and financial results
- Practice lead for lineslips, binders and facilities - including design, delivery and ongoing evolution of a large-scale USD50m GWP plus global cyber facility
- Scope spans insurance, reinsurance, binders, business development, industry stakeholders (Lloyd's, Lloyd's Market Association) and a wide range of internal and external clients and stakeholders
- Working closely with company-wide leadership beyond the Cyber line of business
- Delivery of thought leadership and representing Willis in a wide range of situations, conferences, panels, video content and the like
- Contract wording expertise - including on key industry issues such as the Cyber War Exclusion and its many guises - spanning insurance and reinsurance dynamics
Vice President - Cyber and Technology
Marsh
London
08.2019 - 01.2020
- Leading of complex Cyber and Technology placements from multiple territories, industry segments and size profiles, often with insurer and colleague participation in multiple geographical locations
- Focus on business development, including working with colleagues on a consultative basis to ensure clients have the necessary insights, explanation and content to confidently recommend the first purchase of cyber insurance to their board's / c-suite
- Close collaboration with Marsh technical teams to tailor cyber and technology professional indemnity policies to the specific needs of clients
Professional Lines Broking Director
Aon
London
01.2016 - 08.2018
- Build-out of a newly created role spanning all classes of Professional Indemnity and Cyber, bringing together siloed solutions to consistently deliver for clients and insurer partners
- Working with clients across multiple industries and in various size segments to demystify Professional Indemnity and Cyber polices, how they function and considerations that impact coverage, pricing, disclosures and the like
- Heavily involved in advising Construction and associated trade sectors in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster and subsequent Hackitt Report (Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety)
- All aspects of business development including representing Aon in tenders as a subject matter expert / professional lines broking leader
Client Manager
Aon
London
10.2013 - 12.2015
- Relationship leader for a diverse range of large clients (industries such as Technology, Professional Services, Construction, Chemicals & Manufacturing) - responsible for all lines of business and overall broking and consulting service delivery
- Heavily involved in self-generated and otherwise generated new business
- Responsible for building visibility of Aon's new operation in Cambridgeshire, building a network to support exposure and win new clients
- Focus on clients who require/desire understanding of the technical elements of their placements across a wide range of insurance segments, including Cyber, Professional Indemnity, Casualty, Property, Aviation and Marine
Strategic Account Manager & Account Executive
Daines Kapp Insurance Brokers
02.2008 - 10.2013
- Responsible for insurer relationships as necessitated by a varied portfolio of clients
- Delivering a strategic approach to insurer trading relationships to focus on efficiency and delivery of consistent product offerings to clients
- Development of new products to target niche sectors for new business growth
- Running of a large book of business, incorporating all aspects of client relationship management and servicing, broking and claims
- Referral point for colleagues in both claims and broking functions
Account Manager
Willis
05.2006 - 02.2008
- Placement and client management across a wide range of client sectors and sizes
- Handling a wide range of lines of business from Aviation to Accident and Health
- Defence of a large book of business following a large number of staff leaving the business before my arrival
- Working closely with operations to embed Willis systems into a recently acquired business
Account Handler
GHBC Insurance Brokers
10.2003 - 05.2006
- Working closely with Account Executives across a varied and often complex client portfolio
- Supporting Account Executives in all aspects of client servicing to support client retention and new business development
- Exposure to a wide range of lines of business, with a strong focus on Casualty, Construction and Professional Indemnity classes of business
Claims Handler
Royal & Sun Alliance
02.2001 - 10.2003
- Handling of all aspects of claims - from first notification to settlement and ultimately recovery where there were prospects of subrogation
- Completion of RSA 'route to competency' - including obtaining payment authority status / case reviewer role
- Responsible for dedicated panel of broker partner relationships
Education
A-Levels -
Richard Hale School
Hertford 09.1993 - 09.2000
Skills
- 25 years experience across all aspects of the insurance market, spanning most classes of insurance, including facilities and reinsurance - with the last 10 focused on Cyber, currently leading the broking function at Willis
- Client/stakeholder facing for over 20 years in a multitude of different disciplines - providing a very broad understanding of considerations, dynamics and behaviours
- Entrepreneurial mindset - history of creating, building and developing large scale facilities - most notably a global cyber insurance facility generating over USD50m in gross written premium in 2 years
- Very strong relationship development and management skills - honed across hard and soft market cycles and in established and nascent lines of business
- Track record of creating new roles and leading - getting fulfilment from coaching and developing colleagues
- Influential relationship builder - enjoys working with a wide range of stakeholders to build robust and fruitful relationships centred on integrity
Affiliations
- Wide range of interests that keeps growing! Includes, most sports, exercise, travel, history and a general thirst to learn
Accomplishments
- Made top 3 shortlist for cyber broker of the year
- Certificate in Information Security Management Principles
Timeline
Head of Cyber & Technology Broking
Willis
01.2021 - Current
Vice President - Cyber and Technology
Marsh
08.2019 - 01.2020
Professional Lines Broking Director
Aon
01.2016 - 08.2018
Client Manager
Aon
10.2013 - 12.2015
Strategic Account Manager & Account Executive
Daines Kapp Insurance Brokers
02.2008 - 10.2013
Account Manager
Willis
05.2006 - 02.2008
Account Handler
GHBC Insurance Brokers
10.2003 - 05.2006
Claims Handler
Royal & Sun Alliance
02.2001 - 10.2003
A-Levels -
Richard Hale School
09.1993 - 09.2000
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