Jirvit Patel

Background

About Jirvit Patel

I am a senior insurance leader with 20 years of experience in property and engineering underwriting across London and the GCC. Currently serving as Head of Property & Engineering Underwriting and International Program Management at GIG Gulf (a FAIRFAX company), I oversee a portfolio of over USD 80M GWP across the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar including strategic reverseflow business.My career has been built on strategic underwriting, risk engineering, and portfolio optimization. I thrive at the intersection of technical excellence and commercial strategy—ensuring strong underwriting discipline while driving profitable growth. Over the years, I have- Led and scaled underwriting teams of up to 17 senior professionals, embedding a culture of accountability and performance- Optimized portfolios through pricing strategies, reinsurance structures, and volatility management via catastrophe modelling- Strengthened broker and client partnerships across local and international markets, delivering tailored risk solutions- Implemented underwriting frameworks that align with global and regional business strategies- Spearheaded digital initiatives for SME underwriting, enhancing efficiency and market responsiveness.My journey spans global roles at AXA Corporate Solutions and AXA Gulf, where I managed complex risks, assist in developing rating tools, and supported global strategy execution in the Middle East, London and North American binding authority markets. Earlier in my career, I gained solid foundations in underwriting control, financial reporting, and Lloyd's broker support - these experiences gave me a holistic understanding of the insurance and reinsurance value chain.I hold an MSc in Financial Management (Middlesex University, London), am an ACII Chartered Insurer, and moulded by Underwriting Training Career Path program at AXA University, Paris.Outside of work, I’m passionate about AI and automation in insurance and financial markets, environmental conservation, and personal growth. I believe in blending technical expertise, leadership, and innovation to shape the future of underwriting and risk management.