PRESS RELEASE: HIVE Underwriters strengthens marine team with appointment of Polly Mays as Head of Cargo
London, 6 August 2026 - Independent specialty MGA HIVE Underwriters is pleased to announce it has appointed Polly Mays as Head of Cargo, further strengthening its Marine division as the business continues to expand its underwriting capabilities across global specialty markets. Mays will join HIVE in November once her contractual obligations with her current employer are complete.
Mays will join HIVE with a decade of experience in the cargo insurance market, bringing extensive expertise across cargo, stock throughput, excess stock and project cargo risks. Mays will join from Sompo, where she established a strong reputation as a senior cargo underwriter with a disciplined approach to risk selection and portfolio management.
Prior to Sompo, Mays held underwriting roles at CNA Hardy, writing both lead subscription business in the Lloyd's market and 100% company paper, giving her broad experience across both distribution models and an extensive network spanning the retail and Lloyd's markets.
Reporting to HIVE’s Head of Marine, Alistair Marriott, Mays will lead the continued development of the MGA's Cargo proposition as part of its growing Marine division, which focuses on specialist marine risks through disciplined underwriting, data-led decision making and long-term broker partnerships.
HIVE's Marine division specialises in technically complex marine risks, including Marine Cargo, Marine Liability, Transportation & Logistics, Marine War and Marine Miscellaneous. Built around practitioner-led underwriting, data-driven risk selection and long-term portfolio performance, the division forms a key part of HIVE's expanding specialty underwriting platform.
Bruce Carman, CEO of HIVE Underwriters, added: "We're delighted to welcome Polly to HIVE. She is widely recognised across the market as an exceptional cargo underwriter whose technical knowledge, professionalism and reputation speak for themselves. Attracting someone of Polly's calibre reflects the momentum HIVE continues to build and our ambition to establish market-leading underwriting teams across every class we write.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About HIVE Underwriters
2026 marks HIVE’s ninth year of underwriting on behalf of a diverse panel of Lloyd’s syndicates and insurance companies, all with first-class (AA- and A+ S&P rated) security.
HIVE Underwriters is a Managing General Agent (MGA) and Coverholder at Lloyd’s as well as a Chartered Insurance Underwriting Agent.
HIVE believes that a deeper understanding of risk through collaborative learning provides both security and opportunity, delivering a first-class service to brokers and their global clients. Building on the foundations of strong, lasting relationships, HIVE continues to deliver a unique and outstanding service with sustainable profits.
Find out more: www.hiveuw.com
PR Contacts:
Helen Wright
Lysander PR
07842 729 579
Joe Malone
Lysander PR
07988758779
HIVE Underwriters Limited is a limited liability company incorporated in England & Wales (Company number 10965030).
Registered Office 69 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3A 2BG. VAT No. 312 5473 28.
HIVE Underwriters Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 1015193).
