COB students learn in London
It was London calling for East Carolina University risk management and insurance students last month for a business trip. The nearly dozen students headed across the pond for an immersive experience in the international property and casualty insurance market. There was particular emphasis on the historic Lloyd’s insurance marketplace. The program provided students with a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the global nature of insurance and reinsurance while interacting with industry professionals working in one of the world’s most important insurance centers.
For many of the students, this was their first international trip and their first opportunity to experience a global business environment outside the United States. Throughout the week, students combined classroom concepts with real-world exposure to international insurance operations, underwriting practices, brokerage relationships, and the unique history and culture of London.
One of the highlights of the trip was a guided tour of Lloyd’s of London with Nigel Campbell of Cincinnati Global Insurance. Lloyd’s is recognized worldwide as one of the most important and historic insurance markets, specializing in complex and specialty risks that are often difficult to insure in traditional markets. The students had the opportunity to walk through Lloyd’s building and observe the marketplace where brokers and underwriters negotiate insurance coverage for risks from around the world.
Campbell provided an educational session on Lloyd’s history dating back to the late seventeenth century. Students learned how Lloyd’s originated in Edward Lloyd’s coffee house around 1670, where ship owners, merchants and underwriters gathered to discuss maritime ventures and arrange insurance protection for ships and cargo traveling across dangerous trade routes. Campbell explained how this informal meeting place evolved into the sophisticated global insurance marketplace that exists today.
The discussion also explored how Lloyd’s operates differently from traditional insurance companies. Students learned about syndicates, managing agents and the unique subscription market structure that allows multiple underwriters to share portions of large or unusual risks. The visit helped students better understand the importance of specialty insurance, excess and surplus lines coverage, and the role Lloyd’s plays in providing insurance solutions for emerging and complex exposures worldwide. For many students, seeing the underwriting room and hearing the history of Lloyd’s brought textbook concepts to life in a way organizers feel is impossible to duplicate in a classroom.
The group then spent time Colin Hardaker and the team from MS Amlin, a major participant in the Lloyd’s market. MS Amlin hosted the ECU group for an extensive roundtable discussion concerning the various lines of coverage insured through the company and the challenges associated with underwriting global risks.
During the discussion, students learned about the broad range of specialty insurance products written through the Lloyd’s marketplace, including marine insurance, aviation, cyber liability, property catastrophe coverage, political risk and reinsurance. The MS Amlin professionals explained the underwriting process and discussed how underwriters evaluate exposures, analyze risk characteristics and determine appropriate pricing for coverage.
One of the most valuable aspects of the session was the opportunity for students to ask questions directly to insurance professionals actively working in the international marketplace. Students engaged in conversations about career opportunities, underwriting training, global market trends and the evolving nature of risk management in an increasingly interconnected world. The informal setting encouraged meaningful dialogue and gave students valuable insight into professional careers within the insurance industry.
They then met with Amwins Global representatives Nick Abraham and Beth Hanratty. Amwins is one of the world’s leading wholesale insurance brokers and an important participant in the global specialty insurance market. The session focused on the role of Amwins Global as a Lloyd’s broker and the company’s worldwide reach in connecting clients with insurance markets capable of handling complex risks.
Abraham and Hanratty explained the critical role brokers play within the Lloyd’s system. Students learned how brokers act as intermediaries between clients and underwriters, helping clients identify appropriate coverage solutions while negotiating terms and pricing within the market. The discussion highlighted the importance of relationships, market knowledge and communication skills within the brokerage business.
An especially valuable part of the afternoon was a roundtable discussion with three recent graduates of the Amwins underwriting training program. These young professionals shared their experiences transitioning from university students into careers within the insurance industry. They discussed the challenges and rewards of underwriting, the value of training programs, and the many career opportunities available within specialty insurance and brokerage operations.
For ECU students, hearing directly from recent graduates provided encouragement and practical insight into potential career paths. The discussion demonstrated that the insurance industry offers exciting and dynamic professional opportunities for students willing to develop technical knowledge, communication skills, and professional relationships.
On the final full day of the trip, the group visited the Royal Naval College and the Royal Observatory, where students gained insight into Britain’s maritime history and the scientific advancements that shaped global exploration and trade. These visits connected well with the insurance themes studied during the trip, as marine insurance and global shipping were foundational elements in the development of Lloyd’s and the international insurance marketplace.
Those involved with the 2026 London trip felt it was an extraordinary educational experience for the students and faculty of East Carolina University’s risk management and insurance program. Beyond the business lessons, the students also got to dive into several cultural experiences, including tours of London landmarks.
The opportunity to meet with professionals from Cincinnati Global Insurance, MS Amlin and Amwins Global gave students firsthand insight into career opportunities and the realities of working within the international insurance marketplace. Equally important, the cultural and historical experiences throughout London and England helped students appreciate the broader global context in which international business operates.
Travel experiences such as this play a critical role in preparing students for professional careers in an increasingly interconnected world. The London trip strengthened students’ understanding of the insurance industry while building confidence, professionalism and global awareness.