Sam, Underwriting Manager, became Devonshire Underwriting’s Partners first hire in June 2024
When Devonshire Underwriting’s four Partners founded the business, there were many first steps to take. From formalising company operations to securing its first client, each ‘first’ brought about a milestone for the business.
But one milestone that stands out for the Founding quartet behind the firm is their first hire: Step forward Sam Jeater.
Sam joined Devonshire in April 2024 on the launch of the business. An experienced Underwriter and financial professional, Sam checked in as the company’s first official Underwriting Manager by name, and has quickly hit the ground running. But what does his daily role of Underwriting Manager entail?
“As Underwriting Manager, I’m essentially in charge of the team that tries to win new business,” says Sam. “That involves quoting for new business with brokers in our market and maintaining relationships with them. Once we win business my main focus is making sure we’re underwriting that business sensibly and maintaining commerciality throughout. Given the nature of our business, it’s very much an end-to-end role, which you might not get if you work for a large business with hundreds, or thousands of employees. It’s all encompassing, and I love it.”
Qualifying as an Accountant in 2021, Sam gained two years of experience in the insurance industry before setting out on a personal mission with his partner, to travel the world as far as they could reach.
“It all started during the Covid-19 lockdown. My partner and I have always had a dream to go travelling, and we figured now was a good time before life took over and, before we knew it, 20 years had passed. We went to all continents other than Africa, simply because our resources couldn’t quite stretch. The best place we went, by far, was Antarctica. If you ever get the opportunity to go, don’t pass it up!”
New Zealand was also high up on his list of recommended places too.
Joining a start-up naturally comes with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. But Sam knew that the four Partners, Natasha Attray, James Dodd, Charles Turnham and James Fletcher were onto a good thing, and had the experience and execution to deliver a successful business.
“It was an easy decision to join Devonshire, to be honest, despite the unknowns that come with joining a fresh start-up. I know the partners well and see them as friends as well as colleagues. They’re all supremely talented individuals so it didn’t feel like a risk.
“Ultimately, we’ve all done this before and aren’t new to the industry.”
As for Devonshire’s biggest challenges, Sam believes the company is well-placed to succeed and adapt to changing market conditions. “The demand for fresh ideas and more agile underwriting has never been greater, and Devonshire truly stands out from the crowd by being ready, willing, and able to meet this need. In a market that has seen uncertainty throughout the last year or so, with a hesitant pace in mergers and acquisitions and gradual price stabilisation, Devonshire’s ability to adapt and innovate positions us perfectly to capitalise on the opportunities ahead. We’re primed to lead the way as the market gears up for its next big shift.”
As Devonshire looks ahead to its second calendar year in business, there’s no denying that Sam, the company’s first official hire, will play a pivotal role in decision-making, bringing in and maintaining business. It’s a role that Sam relishes, and the opportunities ahead are ready to be won.
