NBS Underwriting has announced a series of senior internal promotions alongside the creation of several new head office roles as it continues to strengthen its underwriting leadership team.
The appointments strengthen the company’s senior leadership structure and introduce dedicated oversight across key underwriting functions as the business continues to grow.
Commenting on the appointments, Steve Cowman, Managing Director of NBS, said:
“These appointments recognise the strength and expertise we have built within our team and reflect our commitment to developing talent from within the business.
Creating these Head Office roles is an important step in the next phase of our journey. It strengthens our leadership structure and ensures we have the focus, accountability and technical expertise required to deliver our strategy and support the continued growth of NBS.
Rob, Steve, Teresa and Laura have each played an important role in the development of the business, and I’m delighted to see them take on these expanded leadership roles.”
Robert Hawkes – Head of Product Performance
Rob has been appointed to the newly created role of Head of Product Performance, having previously served as Household & Property Underwriting Manager.
In his new role, Rob leads underwriting performance across NBS’ product suite, reviewing portfolio performance, refining policy wordings and identifying opportunities to enhance products. He also works closely with broker partners to explore new schemes and product opportunities across both commercial and personal lines.
Rob recently discussed his appointment and the priorities of the newly created role in an interview. The full interview can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/baBuO7ZIu2s.
Steve Denning – Head of Commercial
Steve brings more than 25 years’ experience in commercial insurance and has now been promoted to Head of Commercial. Having joined NBS in 2023 as a Trading Underwriting Manager, he now leads the commercial underwriting function.
In this role, Steve supports underwriters across the business, ensuring strong underwriting standards and adherence to binding authorities and guidelines while continuing to deliver high levels of service to broker partners.
Teresa Yardley – Head of Professional Indemnity
Teresa has been appointed Head of Professional Indemnity, overseeing the PI operation across both the UK and Ireland.
She brings a wealth of experience in the professional indemnity sector, having joined TUS in 2015 — a business fully acquired by NBS in 2023 — and now leads the PI underwriting division, ensuring high underwriting standards, technical expertise and consistent service delivery across both markets.
Laura Smith – Head of Underwriting Operations
Laura has been promoted to Head of Underwriting Operations following several years of progression within the business.
Having joined NBS in 2017, she has held a number of roles including Commercial Underwriter, Team Leader and Underwriting Operations Manager. In her new position, Laura oversees divisional team leaders across all underwriting divisions, supporting operational performance as the business continues to expand.
The creation of these roles reflects NBS’ continued investment in leadership, underwriting expertise and operational structure, ensuring the business is well positioned for its next phase of growth. The strengthened leadership team will also support NBS’ continued focus on delivering exceptional service and strong underwriting expertise for its broker and insurer partners.
