1 Preliminary Results Year ended 31 December 2006 Barbara Merry - Chief Executive Jamie MacDiarmid - Finance Director Adrian Walker - Active Underwriter S382 Patrick Gage - Active Underwriter S38Twenty
2 Agenda 2
3 IntroductionBarbara Merry Results Overview and HighlightsBarbara Merry Financial PerformanceJamie MacDiarmid Underwriting ReviewAdrian Walker Syndicate 38Twenty Patrick Gage SummaryBarbara Merry Questions
4 Overview and Highlights 4
5 Combined ratio of 76.9% (2005: 92.7%) Gross written premium of £106.1 million (2005: £111.3 million) Record profit before tax of £16.8 million (2005: £7.5 million) Basic earnings per share of 34.1p (2005: 15.3p) Post tax return on equity of 17.8% (2005: 8.3%) Net tangible assets of 173p per share (2005: 164p) Final dividend increased 21% to 10p per share (2005: 8.25p) Results Overview
6 Focus on underwriting excellence Proven track record: - three decades of underwriting profits - never made an underwriting loss Niche specialisms within broad mix of aviation, marine and non-marine - 90% of underwriting portfolio is short tail Exclusively Lloyd’s based Overview
7 Competitive environment is challenging Surplus capital is a global issue Opportunities in selected lines of business remain Bermuda is single biggest challenge to London Lloyd’s undergoing a renaissance Business Environment
8 Launch of syndicate 38Twenty to underwrite more mainstream non- marine lines Buy out of 9% minority on syndicate 382 Improvements to systems and M.I. infrastructure New dividend policy as part of capital management strategy Issue of $30m subordinate debt On-going consideration of a move overseas Strategic Developments
9 Financials 9
10 Preliminary Highlights Full Year 2006 £’000 Full Year 2005 £’000 Gross written premium106,066111,276 Profit before tax16,8377,474 Claims ratio37.8%64.1% Expense ratio39.1%28.6% Combined ratio76.9%92.7% Basic earnings per share34.1p15.3p Post tax return on equity17.8%8.3% Shareholders’ equity76,79767,592 Net assets per share217p191p Net tangible assets per share173p164p Final dividend per share10p8.25p
11 Full Year 2006 £’000 Full Year 2005 £’000 Underwriting year 2006 (2005)1,047(5,315) Underwriting year 2005 (2004)11,2786,603 Underwriting years 2004 (2003) & prior6,1214,963 Total18,4466,251 Investment return6,0255,043 Other income Total income24,98312,097 Other operating expenses(7,506)(4,308) Finance charges(640)(315) Profit before tax16,8377,474 Group Performance
12 Full Year 2006 £’000 Full Year 2005 £’000 Expenses incurred in insurance activities31,30124,419 Foreign exchange (losses) / gains(3,501)2,471 Expenses excluding foreign exchange27,80026,890 Expense Ratio39.1%28.6% Expense ratio excluding foreign exchange34.8%31.4% Other operating expenses7,5064,308 Foreign exchange (losses) / gains(846)1,005 Other expenses excluding foreign exchange6,6605,313 Foreign Exchange
13 As at 31 Dec 2006 £’000 As at 31 Dec 2005 £’000 Absolute return bond fund3,048- Fixed interest42,09133,343 Deposits29,91935,230 Group share of syndicate assets75,05868,573 Equity based investments6,321- Absolute return bond fund2,074- Fixed interest19,71125,072 Deposits30,15112,763 Group assets supporting underwriting58,25737,835 Equity based investments-12,335 Foreign exchange contracts-67 Deposits8,6354,662 Group free investments8,63517,064 Total141,950123,472 Investment Analysis
14 Underwriting Review 14
15 Key points Airline income negligible as rates have fallen to almost unprecedented levels Focus on general aviation book Made a significant contribution in 2006 For 2007, portfolio expected to mirror 2006 Aviation millions Net Premium & Ultimate Net Loss Ratios (UNLR)
16 Key points Portfolio comprises fishing vessels, loss of hire and harbour craft Rating scale approach to underwriting Margins satisfactory in 2006 For 2007, competition is emerging but new opportunities also being exploited Energy book expanded Marine: Hull Net Premium & Ultimate Net Loss Ratios millions
17 Net Premium & Ultimate Net Loss Ratios Key points Broad range of cargoes insured, also jewellers block, fine art and collections Core account expanded in recent years Team strengthened with appointment of a specialist specie underwriter 2006 generated steady profits Rating levels reducing in 2007 but expect to be able to maintain income Marine: Cargo & Specie millions
18 Net Premium & Ultimate Net Loss Ratios Key points Boom or bust account 2006 likely to produce an excellent result For 2007, opportunities remain and account is being expanded to include a more international account Non-Marine: Catastrophe Excess of Loss millions
19 Key points Very well diversified portfolio includes: –Direct Property (UK / Europe) –Accident & Health –Financial Institutions –Political Risk & Trade Credit –Conveyancing –International Direct / Facultative Property All made a positive contribution to 2006 underwriting results 2007 market conditions are weakening but margins are still acceptable Non-Marine: All Other millions Net Premium & Ultimate Net Loss Ratios
20 Syndicate 38Twenty 20
21 Need for Hardy to grow into more mainstream non-marine lines of business, specifically direct and facultative property and property treaty Opportunities to access business exist Rating at good levels in those classes Separate syndicate approach allows for structural differences 38Twenty
22 Underwriting commenced with effect from 1 January 2007 £65m capacity for 2007 – going well so far Team now largely in place: Patrick Gage, Tony Hepburn, David Carson and Henry Glasse Some business being underwritten across both syndicates Focus on risk selection, pricing and margins is key Larger line size requires different approach to reinsurance 38Twenty
23 Summary 23
24 Summary Existing business is performing very well – combined ratio confirms this Major step forward for Hardy business following capacity buy-out, and more importantly, establishment of syndicate 38Twenty 75% increase in 2007 underwriting capability on same capital base Balance sheet is being managed to support further growth and new dividend policy Business infrastructure and management information investment will mean Hardy is primed to do more Market conditions will dictate pace of growth The future looks very exciting
25 Appendices 25
26 Structure HUG PLC HUA Patrick Gage/Adrian Walker HUL 382 AJW 3820 PG Marine Hull Cargo/specie Jewellers’ Block Aviation US & International Cat Direct Property (UK & Europe) Int’l direct & facultative property Financial Institutions Political Risks Conveyancing Int’l & US cat Int’l & US direct & facultative property Speciality lines 100% management 100% capital
27 Performance Full year Atrium gain NB 2004, 2005 and 2006 values are reported under IFRS to 2003 are reported under UK GAAP.
28 Barbara Merry – Chief Executive Director of the other Hardy group companies Member of Council of Lloyd’s On Board of Lloyd’s Market Association Corporation of Lloyd's - 14 years. General Manager in the regulatory division 1984: chartered accountant Jamie MacDiarmid – Finance Director Joined Board in 1 October 2003 Previously with KPMG: manager in insurance sector Adrian Walker – Active Underwriter Non-executive director on Board prior to becoming active underwriter (2001) Formerly underwriter for syndicate 902 (AJ Walker & Others) Executive Directors
29 David Mann – non-executive chairman A Board member of Hardy’s subsidiary company, Hardy (Underwriting Agencies) Ltd since November 2004 Formerly the active underwriter of non-marine syndicate 435, which was managed by D P Mann Ltd (“DPL”). DPL was acquired by General Re in 1998 and changed its name to Faraday Underwriting Ltd in 2001 Ian Ivory - non-executive director Founded two investment management companies (Ivory & Sime, Stewart Ivory) Member of Lloyd’s for 18 years Barbara Thomas - non-executive director Appointed 17 March 2004 Currently deputy Chairman of Friends’ Provident plc and of Financial Reporting Council Previously a commissioner of US Securities & Exchange Commission Non-Executive Directors Rick Abbott – non-executive director Rick has worked in banking with Bank of America, Samuel Montagu, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Grenfell and ABN Amro. Specialist in financial institutions and particularly insurance business. Directorships include Deputy Chairman of Knight Frank Corporate Finance Limited