Inside HIVE: Owning Your Path in Aviation Underwriting

Starting her career in marine reinsurance before moving into Aviation underwriting in 2015, Amy Birch’s journey has seen her cover ground across classes and continents. Now, as an Assistant Underwriter at HIVE Underwriters, she plays a hands-on role in the general aviation all risks and war space - a high-volume, technical line that’s allowed her to build real ownership over her work.

Initially brought in to support the general aviation class, Amy expanded into general aviation War, building on previous experience in both lines. That versatility, she says, is one of the best parts of being at HIVE. “The autonomy here is real,” she explains. “Jay had built our own pricing model prior to me joining the company. But I’ve had the opportunity to make suggested modelling changes, which have been taken on board and implemented. That kind of trust doesn’t always exist.”

A Culture of Shared Understanding

It’s not just the responsibility that sets HIVE apart, though. For Amy, the culture was a big draw. “Aviation is the core of the business here, not an afterthought. That’s unusual. Everyone in the business, regardless of their role or level, understands the class.” That shared understanding, she believes, smooths progression and builds a collaborative environment where new ideas don’t have to fight to be heard.

Amy is quick to highlight the supportiveness of the workplace and has found that HIVE’s culture allows people to be themselves. “You’re trusted to take initiative, and the people around you make space for your development. It’s a very collaborative place to work.”

That trust has allowed her to grow quickly. From progressing underwriting knowledge to tracking income closely, Amy’s involvement in the full process has given her a strong sense of ownership.

Originally from the Wirral and drawn to London by early work opportunities, Amy left university to dive into insurance headfirst. That decision, while nerve-wracking at the time, turned out to be the start of something meaningful. “Having to live through the pandemic made a lot of us think about what we really want. I have always known that I want to be taken seriously as a professional, and I want to do it in the right environment. HIVE has given me that.”