About Us

Mashood Ali, BA, CIP, FCIP

EVP of Underwriting

P: 604-251-8323
E: mali@pmuspecialty.ca

Mashood is the go-to insurance specialist in the Canadian MGA sector. When you need to write a risk that might seem a bit out of the ordinary, he is your person. Ali is a seasoned 25-year insurance veteran, navigating complex corporate and government insurance placements.

Strengths include:

• Insurance placements across many different business sectors, creating risk mitigation strategies.
• Extensive knowledge of policy wording, claims investigation, portfolio management and key risk factors.
• Expertise in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, hospitality, oil & gas, and the healthcare, tech sector.
• Fluent with professionals to mitigate risks for Directors & Officers, Professional Liability and Medical professional liability, and medical malpractice.
• Influential with a broad range of industry networks and strong relations with key stakeholders such as senior executives, engineers, lawyers, claims professionals, developers, brokers, and insurance carriers.

In his spare time, Mashood enjoys spending time with his son at the hockey arena. He is also a long-time director of the MELA! Festivals, which organizes unique cultural celebrations that transcend language, race, and religion.

Martin Lynch, CIP

Director of Underwriting

E. mlynch@pmuspecialty.ca

Martin started his insurance career in Vancouver in 1996 with an MGA which specialized in inland marine and ocean marine exposures. He subsequently underwrote for several domestic insurers before becoming the underwriting specialist for BC for one of the largest global insurers.

In 2010 he moved to Toronto for several years to lead the manufacturing and wholesaling insurance division for that same global insurer, before returning to BC to lead the property and casualty arm of a national MGA. After leading the integration following the acquisition of a similar MGA, Martin again moved to Toronto to establish the eastern operations for the combined group.

In 2018, Martin helped start a new MGA focused on construction and manufacturing risks, which was acquired by PMU Specialty in 2025.

In his downtime, Martin enjoys playing guitar and hockey, running, driving disturbingly fast on track days at various racetracks, long walks through the woods with his dog Chase, and spending time with his family.

Chris Ball

CEO

P: 604-251-8322
E: cball@pmuspecialty.ca

Chris embarked on an extensive journey with his family’s company, the Reliance Group of Companies. Initially starting as an account manager in 1995, he ventured off in 1998 to gain valuable experience by working with top-notch Fortune 1000 accounts in the insurance industry. Throughout his time in Vancouver, New York, and San Francisco, Chris developed a deep understanding of complex risk management and insurance programs. Returning to Reliance Insurance in 2005, he assumed the role of CEO. Displaying the family’s commitment to growth, one of their objectives was expanding the Managing General Agent experience within the pleasure craft market. Within a short span of one year, Chris played a pivotal role in launching PMU Specialty, a distinctive MGA specializing in high-risk and hard-to-place markets.

Chris remains true to his family’s tradition and actively participates in both local and national insurance communities. His involvement spans across the Insurance Brokers Association of British Columbia, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, and the British Columbia Food Processors Association (BCFPA), where he was honored with the Rising Star Award. Additionally, he generously volunteers his time for various charitable organizations such as Caring for Our Youth, Kiwassa Neighborhood House, the East Vancouver Community Policing Office, North Shore Community Foundation, and Building Communities Together, where he leads trips to Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic to support community development.

As a thrill-seeking adventurist, Chris enjoys hiking, biking, skiing and even enduring a few broken bones. And when it’s time to unwind, he takes pleasure in his collection of vinyl records, acquired during the time of the COVID pandemic.

Jay Miah

Commercial Underwriter

P: 778-866-3298
E: jmiah@pmuspecialty.ca

A Commercial Specialty Risk Underwriter, Jay is building our book of business using the CGL and E&O binders. Notably, he is an Insurance Business Underwriter of the Year 2023 Excellence Awardee, having had an amazing positive impact since arriving in Canada and joining PMU Specialty.

Working directly with Mashood Ali, CUO and Chris Ball, CEO to achieve strategic goals, Jay is currently tasked with expanding product offerings to include a Property Binder. He is familiar with Domestic and Lloyd’s Lines of business and their intricacies thanks to his previous insurance experience in the UK, USA, and Canada.

Having begun his career working for a US, Bermuda-based Captive Program writing commercial Property and Casualty risks, Jay has been a part of innovation and change, leading teams in the insurance industry to success in the US and Canada. He is currently undertaking the CIP designation with a view to completing it in December 2024.

Chrissie Messenger, CIP

Senior Underwriter

P: 647-576-7626
E: cmessenger@pmuspecialty.ca

Chrissie was first introduced to the world of insurance in 1999 working summers as a receptionist for a Vancouver insurance company while attending University. She quickly realized she had a passion for insurance, joining a large global insurer in 2003 specializing in property & casualty, construction, and motor truck cargo — and this is where her underwriting career began.

In 2008, following in her mother’s footsteps, Chrissie decided to broaden her knowledge and learn the ocean marine business here in the Pacific Northwest, notably P&I, working for a small family-run MGA. When they closed their office, she later joined another local MGA in 2015, where she managed their commercial marine and pleasure craft programs.

In the end, Chrissie landed back in P&C when she rejoined her career mentors at Xpert Underwriting in 2023, acquired by PMU Specialty in 2025.

Chrissie completed her CIP (Chartered Insurance Professional) designation in 2009. She enjoys spending time with family, camping at local lakes and walking her dogs.

Parveen Ramjahn

Underwriter

P: 647-250-7366
E. pramjahn@pmuspecialty.ca

Parveen began her career in the insurance industry as an underwriting assistant, gaining valuable experience in backend support, policy issuance, and risk evaluation. Through dedication and a keen eye for detail, she evolved into an underwriter, working her way into specializing in various areas of insurance, including Liability, Errors & Omissions, and Property & Casualty.

Her strong analytical skills and industry knowledge enable her to assess risks effectively and provide seamless support to brokers. She is currently pursuing her CIP designation to further enhance her expertise.

Outside of work, she is an avid hiker and nature enthusiast who loves immersing herself in the outdoors. She finds joy in exploring scenic trails, appreciating the tranquility of nature, and taking in the beauty of her surroundings.

Louise Cropley

Marketing Strategist

P: 604-412-5956

A Marketing & Digital Strategist with 15+ years of experience leading content-focused teams and a passion for leveraging technology to drive growth.

Adept in SEO, Generative AI, and marketing automation, Louise is a lifelong learner dedicated to staying ahead in the marketing technology landscape. She consistently achieves business objectives and delivers impactful results.

In her spare time, she likes to enjoy spending time with her husband and two sons. As an avid runner, Louise loves to run long distances around Trout Lake and the Vancouver Seawall.