With experience on both sides of the Broker–Underwriter relationship, Conor O’Brien, Liability Underwriter, brings valuable perspective to MX’s team. Here, he reflects on his route into insurance, the evolving Irish market, and what drives him day to day.
Getting started in insurance
Insurance was always on Conor’s radar. Encouraged by his uncle, who worked in the industry, he decided to explore it for himself, quickly realising it offered both stability and variety.
“It’s a secure and growing sector, and no two days are the same,” he says. “The constant shifts in the market keep you on your toes, every day’s a school day’’
Lessons from both sides of the fence
Before joining MX, Conor spent several years in broking with Glennon Insurance, a fast-paced environment he describes as a “great training ground.” That experience has shaped how he works today.
“Having been a Broker, I understand what they expect from an Underwriter. You have to be approachable, flexible, and decisive. Communication is everything, it’s what keeps those relationships strong.”
A day in the life
“There’s no such thing as a typical day,” Conor admits. But much of his time is spent reviewing new business submissions, analysing data, and building relationships with brokers.
At MX, face-to-face contact remains a priority. “Knowledge is power,” he says. “Being here allows us to visit sites, meet clients and get a real sense of each risk, seeking to understand the risk on its own merits. That first-hand understanding makes a big difference to how we price and assess.”
When asked what part of the job he enjoys most, his answer is instant: “Winning a new business risk. That feeling never gets old and there’s always a bit of friendly competition in the team.”
Trends shaping the market
Conor notes several shifts across the industry, from shifting appetites in the market to the growing influence of technology. He’s also noticed growth in the health and wellness sector, an area seeing increasing submissions and opportunities for innovation.
Looking ahead, he expects the regulatory, legal and social environment to continue shaping underwriting terms. “We’ve already seen reforms in personal injury guidelines that have improved conditions for Liability underwriting,” he explains. “If further reforms reduce awards or litigation costs, that could strengthen capacity and support more favourable terms for well-managed risks.”
In 2026, Conor believes Ireland’s insurance market will make even greater use of AI and advanced analytics to improve risk assessment. “As data becomes more accessible, we’ll see quicker, more consistent decision-making and a stronger understanding of each risk,” he says. “Chatbots will help streamline claims, enhance customer experience and reduce operational costs. AI will also become a predictive tool, detecting fraud earlier and helping us forecast emerging risks.
Technology will keep moving, but there’ll always need to be balance. It can make decisions faster, but the human element is what keeps them fair and flexible for brokers and their clients.”
Supporting brokers
For Conor, strong broker partnerships rely on flexibility and collaboration.
“We’re always solution-driven,” he says. “If a trade is in scope and the management standards are reasonable, we’ll do our best to find the right combination of terms and pricing. We also have the chance to get creative – even risks with heavy claims histories can benefit from a tailored approach.”
He also sees the value of MX’s Dublin team in connecting Irish brokers with international capacity, bringing wider solutions into the market but keeping decisions local.
Words of wisdom
Asked what guidance he’d give to someone starting out, Conor doesn’t hesitate: “Success in insurance hinges on relationships. Long-term growth comes from credibility, not quick wins. Build strong relationships and you’ll be on the right path. And always back yourself.”
Outside of work
Away from the desk, Conor likes to keep as active as he can. Most weekends are spent playing football for his local club, Avenue United, fitting in CrossFit or a game of Padel, though, as he admits, “more time is spent on the treatment table than the pitch or court these days.”
He and his partner Aedín have a dog, Teddy, who often has his own ideas about walking. “A lot of our time is spent trying to negotiate with him to finish out his walks, he usually likes to put the brakes on halfway through!”
Conor also loves to travel and experience different cultures and food, with Japan and Sri Lanka among his favourite spots so far. A Manchester United fan, he often travels to watch them play across England and Europe when he can.
Big on career and personal growth, Conor has recently been selected to take part in parent company Specialist Risk Group’s High Potential (HiPo) programme, starting this month, an opportunity he’s excited to make the most of.
Get in touch
Do you have a Liability risk you’d like to discuss with Conor and our Liability team? Let’s find the right solution together.
