One year on as one of the few female active underwriters in the industry
4th August 2025It’s nearly 30 years since the first ever female active underwriter was appointed. Yet recent analysis by Insurance Insider reveals that men still heavily dominate the role.
So it seems an appropriate time to ask Hanna Metsanvirta for her insights after a year in the role at Trium Syndicate 1322.
What do you remember about starting with Trium 1322 a year ago?
My journey began in July, and within days I found myself presenting our 2025 business plan to Lloyd's as part of the syndicate planning process. Talk about being thrown in the deep end! But as with most things in this industry, sometimes the best way to learn is to dive straight in – and swim hard.
What made it easier?
Thankfully, the waters weren’t entirely unfamiliar. I was lucky to be surrounded by many familiar faces at Asta and Lloyd’s from my previous professional life. (It’s a small market after all!) That sense of continuity made my transition into this role feel oddly comfortable from day one. I’m especially grateful to the incredible group of other Asta women Active Underwriters – there’s six of us now! – and the wider network of other Asta syndicate leaders. The peer support and camaraderie have been invaluable, especially when navigating those shared growing pains.
What have been the highlights of your first year?
There have been several standout moments from this first year that I’m incredibly proud of:
- 2025 SBF Approval:
a smooth and surprisingly pleasant process – credit to a well-articulated, consistent strategy and a strong team effort. - Strengthening Our Capital Base:
we were proud to welcome new third-party capital support for our 2025 Year of Account – an endorsement of the strength and expertise of our underwriting teams. I am excited to deepen these valued partnerships as we continue to scale and grow. - Trium Annual All-Staff Get-Together in Connecticut:
after three months in the role, it was wonderful to finally meet the rest of the team in person. There’s nothing quite like face-to-face connection to build rapport and a true sense of belonging in a team. - Top 5 Result for 2024:
achieving the fifth-best result across the Lloyd’s market in our second year of trading is no small feat. It’s a huge testament to the dedication and talent of the team. - New Class Introduction:
we are launching a new US Homeowners class this year through a unique partnership in the US – an exciting step toward a more diversified portfolio.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given during that time?
I won’t forget the wise reassurance from our Board Chair after a board presentation did not quite hit the mark: “No need to apologise – you can’t get everything right from the start. Things will improve over time.” Words that I’ve carried with me ever since and embody the growth mindset you need when building something new. Things are bound to go wrong occasionally and that’s ok. You learn from the mistakes, improve and move on better.
What lessons have you learned?
This year has also come with its fair share of learnings:
- Remote Operations Are Tough:
running a fully remote syndicate – especially across multiple time zones – isn’t easy. Communication, connection, and collaboration all require more deliberate effort. - Work-Life Boundaries Blur:
when your home is your main office and your colleagues are logging on during your “off” hours, setting boundaries takes real discipline. I’m still experimenting to find what works for me. - Simplify, Always:
as a fast-growing business, our resources are constantly trying to catch up. Streamlining processes, embracing automation (and yes, AI!), and asking whether we’re doing things the smartest way possible is more important than ever. - Lean on Experience:
I’ve been humbled by the depth of talent around me. At times, it can be overwhelming – but also a unique opportunity to learn from some of the best in the industry. - Scaling isn’t Linear:
in a start-up environment, resources often feel stretched. The balance between hiring, simplifying, and automating is a constant juggling act.
Looking ahead, what are you looking forward to?
There’s a lot to be excited about at Trium. Our focus remains on sustainable, profitable growth and operational maturity, with several key priorities on the horizon:
- Continue scaling our core Cyber and Property classes while adjusting for prevailing market dynamics.
- Further develop and mature our operating model across the syndicate and our four Trium service company MGAs: Cyber US, Cyber UK, Cyber EEA and Property US.
- Expand capital support to match our long-term growth ambitions.
- Invest in top-tier talent – because at the end of the day, it’s the people who make our business truly exceptional.
Any final thoughts?
It’s been a whirlwind first year – intense, challenging, and incredibly rewarding. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and energised for what’s to come.
Here’s to year two – and all the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
Onwards and upwards!