Close to the risk, even closer to the impact

Marco, your career path is a textbook example of a long-term insurance career. When did you decide insurance was your life’s calling?    

In Switzerland, apprenticeships are a common entry point into professional life, and that’s where my journey began in the late 90’s. I knew I wanted to work in an office environment and Switzerland was synonymous with banking and insurance. I started my career at a marine insurance company. I didn’t know much about insurance, and even less about marine. But I learned, and very quickly realized how international the work was. You’re dealing with clients, goods, and risks that move across borders every day. That global dimension appealed to me.  

Fast forward to more recent years - what brought you to Sompo?  

Joining Sompo was, once again, partly down to timing and people. The recruitment process stood out immediately. From submitting my CV to speaking with HR and managers, everything moved quickly and thoughtfully. That left a strong first impression.  

I joined the Zurich team knowing Sompo was still relatively new in continental Europe. But that was part of the appeal. Rather than stepping into a rigid structure, I saw an opportunity to help shape something while working with experienced professionals in an environment that values contribution and initiative.  

How does your experience so far compare to expectations?  

My expectations have been exceeded, particularly on the people side. The welcome I received from the Zurich team was exceptional, and I was fortunate to join under strong leadership. What stands out is how genuinely people‑focused the culture is. At Sompo, people aren’t just part of the process, they’re at the center of it. That’s something I hadn’t experienced to the same degree elsewhere.   

For those unfamiliar with marine insurance, how would you describe your role?  

At its core, my job is about understanding risk. For example, when a company manufactures goods and ships them from factory to retail locations, there are risks at every stage of that journey. My role is to identify those risks and provide insurance solutions that protect against loss or damage.  

What makes it complex, and interesting, is scale. Many of the clients I work with operate globally. That means understanding international supply chains, transport routes, political developments, and economic conditions. You can’t underwrite marine risks without staying connected to what’s happening in the world.  

What do you enjoy most about the role?  

The interaction with other people which allows you to understand the risk. Yes, there’s an analytical element, understanding exposures and structuring coverage, but the real value comes from dialogue. Talking with colleagues, brokers, and clients helps you build a complete picture of the risk. We call it ‘the art of underwriting’. It’s not a job you do in isolation. You’re constantly learning, exchanging views, testing assumptions, and refining solutions. 

Where do you see the value of underwriting within the business?  

Underwriting is the starting point of the insurance value chain. Without an insured risk, nothing else happens, no policies, no claims processes, no client relationships. In that sense, underwriters act as gatekeepers between the company and the outside world. 

You’ve worked at large, established insurers. Is there anything that feels different about Sompo in Zurich?  

The proximity to the business. Zurich is a growing team, which means every decision matters. You see the impact of your work quickly and clearly. You get to experience responsibility first-hand. In some organizations, accountability is often spread across layers, which might dilute influence. Here, your expertise and judgement directly shape outcomes. I’m empowered to apply everything I’ve learned over the past two decades and more and see it make a difference.  

Looking ahead, what excites you about the future at Sompo?  

The ambition to become a truly global company, while respecting local cultures and ways of working. Sompo has a clear strategy, but it doesn’t impose a single framework everywhere. That balance between direction and flexibility is powerful.  

Seeing teams grow, ideas turn into action, and expertise come together toward shared goals - that’s what makes the future compelling.  

What makes insurance appealing as a career choice?   

Insurance brings together interesting people from remarkably diverse disciplines and backgrounds - mathematicians, engineers,  geologists, lawyers, economists and many others - all working toward the same purpose: understanding the client, the risk, and protecting against it.  

It’s also deeply connected to the real world. Global warming, supply‑chain disruption, geopolitical conflict, these aren’t abstract concepts in insurance. You see their impact in data, claims, and risk patterns. That makes the work meaningful, and you can feel the impact you are making.   

And finally, what does life outside of work look like for you now?  

Family comes first. With two young children, most of my time outside work is spent with them. I still value staying connected with friends and keeping active - football, jogging, anything that keeps me moving. Life changes with each stage, and you adapt. Right now, balance is about being present, at work and at home, and making the most of both.