The central aim of HUR’s syndicate analysis is to gain enough knowledge about the current business, and future prospects, of each individual syndicate so that they are in a position to assign each syndicate a HAL Rating for the following year. Ratings are based on a number of factors including past performance, the syndicate’s approach to risk and the overall viability of the syndicate’s business plan (in the light of prevailing market conditions). HUR’s views on the Market and the individual syndicates are communicated to the HAL Members’ Executives prior to the Capacity Auctions each year. These views, and the syndicate Ratings underpin the annual portfolio planning and review process which the Members’ Executives conduct with each of HAL’s Members.  

HUR reviews all of the published information relating to all syndicates that are open to third party capital on an on-going basis. This will include the syndicate annual Report and Accounts, Business Forecasts and Quarterly Monitoring Reports that are issued by the syndicates. HUR will also analyse Realistic Disaster Scenarios that are issued by the syndicates. Regular meetings with both lead and class underwriters of every syndicate are also held, so that HUR are kept fully informed of the on-going development of each syndicate’s account, and to enable them to discuss specific syndicate developments, such as the appointment of new class underwriters or staff, or a change in underwriting strategy.