HIVE Underwriters Appoints Polly Mays as Head of Cargo to Bolster Marine Division

Quick Summary

HIVE Underwriters has appointed Polly Mays as Head of Cargo to lead its Marine division expansion. Joining in November 2026 from Sompo, Mays brings a decade of expertise in cargo insurance, stock throughput, and project cargo risks to the independent specialty MGA.

How Does HIVE Underwriters Strengthen Its Marine Division?

HIVE Underwriters is scaling its global specialty markets presence by recruiting top-tier talent to lead specific underwriting cells. By appointing Polly Mays as Head of Cargo, the MGA gains a leader with a disciplined risk approach and a proven track record in portfolio management. This move allows HIVE to offer deeper expertise in cargo insurance, specifically targeting complex risks that require specialized technical knowledge.

• Strategic leadership for the Marine division.
• Expansion of underwriting capabilities globally.
• Focus on specialty market growth.

What Expertise Does Polly Mays Bring to HIVE?

With over a decade of experience, Mays transitions from Sompo, where she served as a senior cargo underwriter. Her background encompasses a wide array of specialized insurance products, including stock throughput, excess stock, and project cargo risks. Having previously worked at CNA Hardy, she possesses unique insight into both Lloyd's market subscription business and 100% company paper distribution models.

• 10 years of cargo market experience.
• Expertise in stock throughput and project cargo.
• Deep retail market network.

How Will This Appointment Impact HIVE’s Market Position?

The addition of Mays signals HIVE’s intent to become a dominant force in the independent MGA space. By leveraging her extensive network across the London market, HIVE can better serve retail brokers and Lloyd’s syndicates alike. The firm is positioning itself to handle high-complexity risks with a level of agility that larger, traditional insurers often struggle to maintain in the current cargo insurance landscape.

FF NEWS TAKE:

This appointment definitely moves the needle for HIVE Underwriters. In the competitive MGA landscape, securing a seasoned lead from a major player like Sompo is a clear statement of intent. As cargo insurance markets face ongoing volatility, HIVE’s focus on technical underwriting discipline and specialized leadership will likely attract higher-quality capacity and broker interest, solidifying their reputation in the London specialty market.