Faces of DUAL - Specialty team

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We sit down with Darren Woolnough, Head of Specialty, to talk team culture, complex placements and what it really means to back a broker when the risk doesn't fit the mould.

What makes a Specialty placement different

What makes a Specialty placement different from a standard submission?

Specialty placements start with understanding the risk story, not just the submission. We focus on clarity around exposures, intent and structure - often working alongside brokers to shape the risk before it goes to market. That upfront thinking supports informed placement decisions for brokers and their clients.

How do you approach risks that don't fit the traditional mould?

That's where Specialty thrives. We look beyond templates - breaking risks down into component parts, understanding what really drives loss and exploring alternative structures or solutions. If it makes sense and aligns with our risk philosophy, we'll explore appropriate coverage options.

Supporting brokers: how the team shows up day-to-day

How do you support brokers day-to-day?

We focus on being accessible, proactive and commercial. That means early conversations, clear views on appetite, fast escalation where needed and practical structured support through the quote process, rather than transactional quoting. Our goal is to make brokers' jobs easier and help them move faster and with less hassle.

How does your team work with brokers to structure solutions for complex risks?

We collaborate early and often. That includes scenario testing, coverage design, wording considerations and authority clarity. Our role is to help brokers navigate complexity with confidence, drawing on our own and their deep technical experience.

How does your combined experience benefit clients and brokers?

Our collective experience allows us to anticipate issues earlier, make clearer calls and support better decision-making. It means more clarity throughout the placement, and stronger long-term partnerships.

Team culture: "cohesive" - one word that means a lot

One word to describe your team culture and why?

Cohesive. We operate as one Specialty team across Property, Liability and Motor, with a shared voice to market. That cohesion allows us to move faster, challenge assumptions constructively and deliver solutions that feel deliberate - not fragmented. It's driven by trust, clear communication and shared, purposeful goals.

What makes the Specialty team work so well together?

The Specialty team works because we're aligned on how we show up - not just what we write. We've invested time in defining our team values, clear decision-making and mutual accountability. There's a strong culture of sharing expertise, backing each other on complex calls and solving problems together. That creates confidence internally and consistency for brokers externally.

Any team traditions or fun facts to share?

We take our work seriously - but not ourselves. There's a strong culture of sharing wins, learning from losses and backing each other when it matters. We have a tendency to quote one-liners from our favourite movies when the pressure's getting high - to break through the tension. It works.

A recent highlight and what keeps it going

What's been a recent highlight you're proud of?

Embedding a clearer Specialty execution framework has been a real win - particularly around large accounts, early broker engagement and more confident underwriting decisions. It's helped us support growth in a challenging market while staying disciplined on risk and service.

What do you enjoy most about working in Specialty underwriting?

The challenge. No two risks are the same and the best outcomes come from judgement, experience and collaboration. It's rewarding to help brokers and clients navigate uncertainty and land a solution that genuinely fits.

What do you value most about working at DUAL?

DUAL gives people trust and space to lead. There's a genuine commitment to expertise, innovation and long-term partnerships - not just short-term volume. It's an environment where underwriters are encouraged to think, challenge and grow.

Our team is here to help you do more

Whether your risk fits a standard pathway or needs a Specialty conversation, our team is here to help.

Download our Specialty team's contact list.