In March 2025, Farris Mellor, CFA, joined Sovereign’s London-based team as Vice President, Underwriting Group Lead.

Farris is the senior underwriter in the London office, responsible for managing the London-based team while working with Sovereign’s clients on political risk and sovereign-linked transactions.  He is also a member of Sovereign’s Management Committee. With over 20 years’ experience in banking and insurance, Farris has a unique understanding of the requirements of both lenders and insurers, having previously been both a buyer and broker of credit and political risk insurance.

Prior to working in the insurance industry, Farris’ banking experience included responsibility of running the Credit and Political Risk Insurance function and insurance portfolio at Mizuho Bank.  This required in-depth knowledge of the Bank’s operations including requirements to obtain capital relief, understanding of the underlying transactions, as well as insurance policy wordings and maintaining relationships with underwriters and brokers. This background enables him to understand the motivations and requirements from the relevant parties in a transaction and provide bespoke problem-solving solutions.

Farris holds an MA in Economics from the University of Glasgow and is a Charted Financial Analyst Charterholder.