Faces of DUAL: Meet Catherine Farnworth, Chief Actuary UK & Europe

Next up in our Faces of DUAL interview series is Catherine Farnworth, Chief Actuary for DUAL in the UK and Europe. Catherine plays a key role in shaping our underwriting strategies while also finding time for some adventures outside of work.

Q: Can you introduce yourself and your role at DUAL?

I’m Catherine, Chief Actuary at DUAL for the UK and Europe. My role is to support the underwriters by helping them develop their portfolios and ensuring profitable growth. I do this by building pricing models, conducting profitability analysis, and segmenting portfolios.

Q: What are you and your team striving to achieve at DUAL?

Our actuarial team is focused on making DUAL the best underwriting business it can be. We’re working on harnessing our data to generate strong underwriting profits. One of our current projects is implementing a pricing platform. This will allow us to enhance our data and create analytics that will help the business grow.

Q: What makes DUAL a unique underwriting business?

I’ve worked for various insurance companies, from personal lines writers to Lloyd’s syndicates and reinsurance firms. What sets DUAL apart is its wide range of products—personal lines, commercial, and specialty—not just in the UK, but globally. Plus, DUAL combines the agility of an MGA with the underwriting discipline of a carrier, which really drives profitable growth.

Q: What excites you about working at DUAL?

As an actuary, it’s exciting to be at DUAL because you can truly influence the business’s success. The team invests in actuarial resources and analytics, and both senior management and underwriters are eager to hear our insights.

Q: Describe working at DUAL in three words.

Collaborative, fast-paced, entrepreneurial.

Q: What are your passions outside of work?

Outside of work, I love travelling and spending time with my family, including my two small kids. Travel is a big passion of mine. Ten years ago, I spent six months exploring South America, which was an amazing experience. I also took part in the Mongol Rally, driving 10,000 miles from London to Ulaanbaatar in a Suzuki Swift—with no mobile phone! I’m trying to pass on my love of adventure to my kids, and it’s working well with my four-year-old. Hopefully, my two-year-old will catch on soon too!

Catherine’s expertise and adventurous spirit are clear to see. Stay tuned for more Faces of DUAL interviews as we continue to highlight the incredible people behind DUAL’s success.