Category: Lloyd's market · Reviewed by Chrissie Anderson, Client Executive · Last reviewed 2026-06-05
The Lloyd’s Performance Management Directorate (PMD) is the central function of Lloyd’s responsible for overseeing the underwriting performance of Lloyd’s syndicates. PMD approves syndicate business plans, monitors performance against plan, identifies underperforming accounts and directs remedial action — most prominently through the Decile 10 review.
Category: Lloyd’s market Also known as: PMD, Lloyd’s PMD Related concepts: Lloyd’s of London, Lloyd’s Decile 10 review, Lloyd’s syndicate
PMD is the part of Lloyd’s that exercises Lloyd’s core ‘franchise’ function — the approval of syndicate business plans and the oversight of underwriting performance across the market. Each managing agent must submit an annual business plan for each syndicate it manages, setting out the proposed underwriting programme, capacity, risk appetite, expected combined ratio, capital requirements and operational arrangements. PMD reviews the plan and either approves it, requires modifications or rejects elements deemed inconsistent with market performance objectives.
PMD’s role was established in its modern form following the 2017 introduction of the Decile 10 review process, which formalised the targeting of the worst-performing 10 per cent of syndicate underwriting accounts.
PMD operates under the authority of the Council of Lloyd’s and the Lloyd’s Act 1982 [1], implemented through Lloyd’s bylaws and Market Bulletins. The PMD’s powers complement (and are integrated with) the PRA’s prudential supervision of Lloyd’s under the PRA Insurance Rulebook.
PMD’s annual cycle includes: receipt of syndicate business plans (typically Q3/Q4 for the following year); plan review and feedback; capacity and capital approvals; ongoing monitoring through quarterly returns and other reporting; deep dives on identified concerns; and remedial action where required.
The Decile 10 review process is the most visible component: PMD identifies the worst-performing 10 per cent of syndicate underwriting accounts by combined ratio over a defined look-back period, and requires the relevant managing agents to present remediation plans (rate increases, exits, change of leadership) at PMD-led reviews.
PMD’s remedial powers extend to capacity reduction, plan rejection and (in extremis) requirement that the syndicate cease writing a particular line of business.
An illustrative example: a Lloyd’s syndicate’s professional indemnity account has produced combined ratios above 110 per cent for three consecutive underwriting years. PMD includes the account in its Decile 10 review and requires the managing agent to present a remediation plan. The plan typically combines rate increases of 15–25 per cent, withdrawal from the most loss-affected sub-segments, and (where appropriate) change of underwriter or class lead. PMD monitors progress over the next 12–24 months.
This entry is part of the Apex Insurance Wiki. Last reviewed by Matt Bartlett on 2026-06-05. Next review: 2026-12-05.
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