Jonathan Hooven has spent 22 years in the insurance industry focused exclusively on small business customers and their local agents and brokers. Jonathan commented: “The most enjoyable part of the past two decades has been leading diverse teams to create long-term stability of coverage for millions of policyholders."
His entire career has been in the insurance industry during which he has overseen production of more than $3bn of profitable long-tail casualty premium revenue.
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First Insurance & Risk Management
Hiscox USA
P&L responsibility for c. $400 million of small business premium revenue as Head of Casualty for Hiscox USA and Head of Underwriting for the Digital Partnerships and Direct (DPD) business unit.
Led the underwriting team and engagement with actuarial, claims, coverage counsel, operations, marketing and distribution to address areas of opportunity for course correction and targeted growth. The successful collaboration resulted in tens of millions of dollars in hard benefit, creating long-term stability of coverage for hundreds of thousands of policyholders.
Atlas General Insurance Services (Now RPS / Gallagher)
Head of underwriting and P&L responsibility for the small business workers compensation portfolio. Grew small business, the most profitable segment, to the largest share of the book by implementing data-driven, rules-based portfolio underwriting tools. Steered business requirements in operations and technology when implementing industry-leading digital distribution platforms (DuckCreek & Guidewire).
Previously head of underwriting and operations for the new-at-the-time commercial division, responsible for Atlas’ diversification beyond middle-market workers compensation by leading development of the general liability and business owners policy (BOP) products. Served as subject matter expert to finance, operations, and distribution to successfully service the new lines of business.
The sustained growth in micro and SME workers compensation and expansion into other P&C lines were key to their national expansion and a more resilient strategy focused on small business insurance. Responsibilities included head of distribution and leading the day-to-day operations in the workers compensation division.
Appalachian Underwriters
Head of the western region and San Diego branch office, responsible for underwriting, operations, and distribution in the 13-state region. P&L responsibility for the workers compensation and general liability products
Previously held the position of regional manager and head of the Miami, FL office. Prior to that, led the inside marketing department in their Tennessee-based home office.
Answer Financial
Transitioned from an internet tech support role into insurance when recruited as a bi-lingual agent for the largest personal lines agency in the U.S., and pioneering Insuretech, which is now a sister company to Esurance—both since acquired by Allstate. Rose to top 10% of sales agents by developing consultative, solutions-based approaches.
Soon promoted to sales coach and manager of the homeowners and ancillary lines team. There we piloted and successfully implemented the transition from DOS-based to first-of-their-kind web-based policy administration platforms for: Progressive, The Travelers, The Hartford, Safeco, Fireman’s Fund, and Chubb. Served in sales management role for three years prior to accepting the position with Appalachian Underwriters.
Volunteer Work
Lived in Nicaragua for two years participating in volunteer education programs and disaster relief.
Hobbies
ART | A self-taught artist, Jonathan often works beyond the boundaries of conventional medium.
He primarily paints with acrylic on media as varied as glass, plaster, wood, metal, and repurposed canvas to create heavily layered, highly tactile pieces that invite the viewer’s emotional connection.
At other times he paints using a minimalist palette that evokes a sense of calm with clean lines and softer, graduated pigments.
100% of profit from the sale of Jonathan’s art is donated to causes that work to cure global source issues of inequality.
PERFUMES & FINE FRAGRANCES | Jonathan enjoys the creative and scientific process involved in formulating aromatic compounds into scents and fine fragrances.
His objective is to craft fine fragrances inspired by the power of imagination and a desire to capture moments in time: the best memories.