Lloyd’s has marked the reopening of its historic Underwriting Room following a refurbishment that it says blends the benefits of digital transactions with human interactions. 

The room was closed over summer to make the changes after the covid disruptions, the shift to working remotely and technology improvements led to a consultation process on the room’s future. 

Market participants supported the value of the Underwriting Room and the importance of maintaining a density of activity and vibrancy, while introducing technology upgrades. 

“In this new chapter for the Underwriting Room, we have not lost sight of our historical roots or our place in time and space,” Lloyd’s Chairman Bruce Carnegie Brown said. 

“This space, the way we work, represents a handshake between the time-tested models of the past and the brave possibilities of the future; a thoughtful integration of old and new to blend digital transactions with human interactions; artificial intelligence with emotional intelligence; and machine learning with learned experience.” 

Lloyd’s says the changes include the addition of a further 13 managing agents to the ground floor of the room, upgraded IT systems, and refurbishments that support face-to-face business.