Earlier this year, Luciano van Essen was promoted to Underwriter at Alta Signa following a successful period as Underwriter Analyst. Three months into the role, he reflects on his journey so far and shares his perspective on the market and the unique culture at Alta Signa.
“Insurance is still new to me,” Luciano explains. “My background is in banking and finance, which meant the transition wasn’t too difficult as the ways of working are similar. What is different, though, is the environment. I came from a more classic banking setting, whereas Alta Signa is a boutique MGA – smaller, faster-moving, and more agile. That brings a very different and exciting experience, both in the way we do business and in how we communicate internally across our international teams.”
Luciano’s career path has been varied, spanning academia, banking, and business development. He is quick to highlight how each stage has contributed valuable skills that he now applies to underwriting. “My PhD studies developed strong analytical skills, which have set a good standard for underwriting. Having the ability to analyse and form opinions is essential. But underwriting is also about people – working with brokers and partners – and that was less familiar to me at first. My time as VP of Business Development helped me build negotiating and interpersonal skills, so I feel I can draw something useful from every role I’ve had.”
Digitalisation for greater efficiency
As he continues to deepen his knowledge of the insurance market, Luciano has been struck by both the opportunities and the challenges he sees. “It’s been fascinating to learn how programmes are put together and to be part of negotiations. At the same time, I think the process from underwriting to contract could be more streamlined. There are a lot of steps and layers involved, which can slow things down. A higher level of digitalisation and a more modern way of interacting with all parties would improve efficiency and create stronger connections.”
When asked what message he would like to share with the market, Luciano emphasises the qualities that make Alta Signa distinctive. “Working with us means working with a team that is highly professional and detailed, but also agile and accessible. We’re easy to communicate with, less bureaucratic, and we operate across a wide portfolio in many jurisdictions. Most importantly, we’re available whenever our partners need us.”