Podcast appearances and mentions of london market

In this episode of Making Risk Flow, Juan de Castro sits down with Greg Brown, Partner at Oxbow Partners, to explore the strategic choices reshaping the London insurance market. As market conditions soften and technology advances accelerate, Greg explains why firms must clearly define whether they are true leaders, niche leaders, capacity leaders, or followers, and align their operating models accordingly. The conversation examines how misalignment between market position and business architecture can erode profitability and competitive advantage. Greg also discusses the growing importance of portfolio management, the evolution of facilities from cyclical tools to permanent market infrastructure, and the role of AI in enhancing underwriting decision-making. Greg Brown is a Partner at Oxbow Partners, a strategic advisory firm focused exclusively on the insurance industry. He specializes in helping Lloyd's and London Market organizations navigate strategic transformation, from underwriter modernization to launching digital business units. Combining expertise in strategy, operations, and technology, Greg helps insurers develop ambitious, practical plans that drive sustainable growth and competitive advantage.Fan Mail: Got a challenge digitizing your intake? Share it with us, and we'll unpack solutions from our experience at Cytora.To receive a custom demo from Cytora, click here and use the code 'Making Risk Flow'.Our previous guests include: Bronek Masojada of PPL, Craig Knightly of Inigo, Andrew Horton of QBE Insurance, Simon McGinn of Allianz, Stephane Flaquet of Hiscox, Matthew Grant of InsTech, Paul Brand of Convex, Paolo Cuomo of Gallagher Re, and Thierry Daucourt of AXA.Check out the three most downloaded episodes:The Five Pillars of Data Analytics Strategy in Insurance | Craig Knightly, Inigo20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek MasojadaImplementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

In just twelve months, the conversation around Agentic AI in insurance has changed dramatically.  What began as curiosity about autonomous AI agents has evolved into a much more practical discussion about implementation, governance, economics and competitive advantage.  In this special solo episode, InsTech's Zoja Wojcik reflects on the developments that have shaped the market since InsTech's first Agentic AI event in November 2025. Drawing on conversations with insurers, brokers, MGAs, technology providers and industry leaders, she explores how the industry has moved beyond experimentation and towards a more challenging question: where does the commercial value actually come from?  Along the way, you'll hear insights from Simon Torrance, Erdal Atakan, Gina Gill, Elena Maran, Max Richter and Ian Thompson, alongside examples of how organisations including CFC, McGill & Partners, AIG, Duck Creek and hyperexponential are bringing Agentic AI into real insurance operations.  Whether you're still trying to understand what Agentic AI means for insurance or already evaluating deployment opportunities, this episode offers a practical snapshot of where the market stands today and the questions leaders should be asking next.  Want to continue the conversation? Join us in London on July 7 for 'The age of Agentic AI: from strategy to commercial value'. In this episode:  00:00 - What is Agentic AI and why has it become one of insurance's most discussed technologies?  03:15 - Looking back at the industry's first major Agentic AI event in November 2025  05:45 - Simon Torrance on why Agentic AI should be viewed as a new workforce, not simply another software tool  06:20 - Early deployment examples from across the insurance market:  CFC's Lane Assist   McGill & Partners and Salesforce Agentforce   AIG's AI-driven underwriting initiatives   Federato's agentic underwriting platform   hyperexponential and Banyan Risk   Duck Creek's insurance-native Agentic AI platform   08:15 - Why moving from pilot projects to production remains difficult  10:00 - The defining question of 2026: proving commercial value and ROI  12:15 - Intelligence Capital, competitive advantage and why buying AI tools may only create parity  13:30 - Orchestration, governance and maintaining trust in agentic systems  15:00 - Workforce transformation and practical lessons for insurance leaders  16:00 - What questions should insurance organisations be asking next?  Key takeaways:  The industry conversation has shifted from experimentation towards implementation and measurable business outcomes.   Many of the biggest barriers to adoption are organisational rather than technical.   Boards increasingly expect clear economic justification for AI investment.   Competitive advantage may come less from AI models themselves and more from institutional knowledge and decision-making expertise.   Governance frameworks must evolve alongside increasingly autonomous systems.   Organisations that focus on specific business problems are more likely to succeed than those pursuing AI for its own sake.   Featured contributors:  Simon Torrance, AI Risk   Erdal Atakan, Inigo   Gina Gill, Apollo   Elena Maran, Alethesis AI   Max Richter, Mea platform   Ian Thompson, IMT Advisory  Further reading:  For listeners looking to explore the themes discussed in this episode:  Agentic AI & insurance  Podcast episode: Where is the industry today? – a view from the C-suite (A rare C-suite perspective on Agentic AI: what it is, how it's being deployed and why senior leaders are walking a tightrope between bold innovation and operational risk.)  CFC launches Lane Assist, a live agentic underwriting pilot  McGill & Partners becomes first London Market broker to deploy Agentic AI  McGill + AIG collaboration using AI-driven underwriting  Duck Creek launches insurance-native Agentic AI Platform  Federato RiskOps and Agentic underwriting platform  MGA Banyan Risk deploys hx's full agentic underwriting suite  Strategy & commercial value  Simon Torrance's work on Intelligence Capital   AI Risk research on Agentic AI and enterprise transformation   InsTech & ServiceNow New York event: The future of insurance will be orchestrated, not built  Governance & Responsible AI  Article: The New Frontier: Managing and insuring generative and agentic AI risks with Edinburgh Futures Institute  Podcast episode: Creating a new kind of assurance & insurance framework for AI-related risks (This episode unpacks one of the most ambitious research initiatives currently shaping the future of AI risk in insurance.) 

Episode Info Chris is a business-facing CIO and CTO level technology leader with over 10 years in London Market environments and 25+ years across insurance. He is typically brought in to reset technology functions, lead complex regulated transformation, and help businesses use data, automation and AI to improve control, decision making and pace of delivery. His experience spans carriers, syndicates, delegated operations, underwriting, claims and claims services, combining cloud and infrastructure oversight, architecture governance, modern engineering and operating model change. Chris has held executive roles at Ki Insurance, Crawford & Company, Hiscox, QIC and Capco, where he has built and reshaped technology functions, modernised core systems, led carve outs and integrations, and improved resilience, insight and execution across multi-country operations. He is strongest in high pressure environments that require commercial grip, disciplined delivery and visible executive leadership, helping businesses apply AI with purpose to simplify operations, strengthen performance and move technology teams forward. Episode Overview: Data & Customer Experience: The ongoing need for better data is being addressed by AI, enabling more personalized customer experiences that cater to different needs and preferences. AI's Practical Applications: AI is being used for advanced data analysis, claim modeling, and improving underwriting accuracy. It assists in processing information faster, enhancing efficiency in areas like claims. AI can work with legacy systems, offering capabilities without immediate costly overhauls. Human-AI Collaboration: AI is seen as a tool to augment human capabilities, not replace them. It aims to reduce mundane tasks, allowing humans to focus on complex issues, empathy, and innovation. The "human in the loop" is still considered vital for oversight and decision-making. Responsible Adoption: Implementing AI requires a strategic, responsible approach that considers the workforce, fosters a positive culture, and drives genuine operational improvements rather than just surface-level changes. Democratizing Technology: AI tools have the potential to benefit businesses of all sizes, including niche and specialized insurers, by enabling custom application development and process optimization. The Road Ahead: While challenges exist, the focus is on embracing AI's potential to create new opportunities, improve productivity, and ensure the industry remains relevant and innovative. The key is a proactive and adaptive mindset. This episode is brought to you by The Future of Insurance book series (future-of-insurance.com) from Bryan Falchuk. Follow the podcast at future-of-insurance.com/podcast for more details and other episodes. Music courtesy of Hyperbeat Music, available to stream or download on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music and more.

I first met today's guest just under 34 years ago on my first day at work in the London Market. Back then Alfonso Valera and I worked in the London-based Lloyd's subsidiary of the biggest broker in Spain. Alfonso was my senior and had already been in post for a year and patiently helped show me the ropes. He spoke perfect English, was a confident, skilful and forceful negotiator who was incredibly passionate about the insurance business and was always fun, direct and easy to deal with. He was mature beyond his years and was a natural leader. It seemed obvious to anyone who knew him back then that he was destined for great things. That broking business was taken over by Aon in the late nineties. Alfonso stayed on and over 25 years later he is now CEO of International at Aon Reinsurance Solutions. International covers the whole of the Rest of the World other than the Americas, and Aon is the largest reinsurance broker by revenues, so however you measure it Alfonso has one of the biggest jobs in global reinsurance. His job titles and seniority might have changed since we first met, but I can guarantee that he is exactly the same person I knew when I was fresh out of University.   He is still disarmingly direct and straightforward and he is still passionate about the business, but now he is speaking from a vantage point that few in the global insurance market can reach. Alfonso is still great fun to talk to and this conversation took on a life of its own. Whether it's the state of the market and changes in buyer and seller appetites, facilitisation in reinsurance, the prospects for M&A, the MGA phenomenon, enhanced competition between reinsurance intermediaries or the changes that AI is likely to bring, Alfonso gives me a straight answer every time and we barely pause for breath. Catching up with Alfonso was a joy from start to finish. Listen on and you'll be bound to agree. LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo, now part of Sapiens: https://www.advantagego.com

AM Best expects the profitability of London Market companies to moderate over 2026 but remain positive, subject to normal catastrophe experience in the remainder of the year, according to a recent Best's Market Segment Report discussed by Kanika Thukral, associate director, analytics, AM Best.

Zak Mir talks to Andrew Stancliffe, Head of Execution Services at Winterflood Securities, after the recent Marex takeover. They discuss the success of the Winterflood Retail Access Platform, which has now raised over £600m in fundraising and, in turn, has been a significant source of liquidity to the London stock market.Winterflood is one of those names that anyone active in UK equities will recognise from Level 2 screens, placings, and day-to-day market-making. But beyond the familiar name sits a bigger story about liquidity in small caps, how retail investors are gaining better access to fundraises, and why the UK market may be in better shape than its critics like to admit.Andrew Stancliffe, Head of Execution Services at Winterflood Securities, sits right in the middle of that story. His role covers the sales trading side of the business, working with clients ranging from institutions to retail execution brokers. Following Winterflood's acquisition by Marex, there is also a clear focus on combining Winterflood's market presence with Marex Financial's broader capabilities.The result is a useful window into where UK market structure is working well, where the frustrations really lie, and why technology is changing access without removing the need for human judgement.What Winterflood actually does in the marketAt a practical level, Winterflood sits at the heart of execution and liquidity provision in UK equities. It is a major market maker, particularly visible in smaller quoted companies, and plays an important role in helping buyers and sellers meet in names that might otherwise feel difficult to trade.Stancliffe's remit is focused on execution services and sales trading, speaking to a broad spread of clients and helping ensure they get the best possible access to liquidity and trading opportunities.That matters because in the UK small cap market, liquidity is always the first complaint. If a share is not moving, or if trading looks thin, the market itself is usually blamed. Stancliffe's view is more nuanced.Is there really a liquidity problem in UK small caps?Liquidity in smaller companies is one of those subjects that never seems to go away. It is a bit like the weather: people are rarely satisfied.Stancliffe's argument is that the UK actually has one of the most vibrant and competitive small company trading environments around, especially because of the market-making infrastructure already in place. On many stocks there can be a large number of competing market makers, sometimes as many as 16, all quoting prices on screen.That creates depth which is easy to overlook.Where the challenge has become more noticeable is not necessarily in the mechanics of trading, but in the reduced participation from institutions in the smaller end of the market. Fewer institutional houses active in UK small caps naturally changes the shape of liquidity. Even so, his broader point is straightforward: if a company has a compelling story and the market cares, liquidity can appear very quickly and in significant size.That is an important distinction. Illiquidity is not always a market structure problem. Sometimes it is a company problem.Good companies tend to find liquidityOne of the more refreshing parts of the discussion was the blunt acknowledgement that some shares are inactive simply because they are not interesting enough. Markets rotate. Sectors and themes move in and out of favour. Individual names can go from dormant to heavily traded once the story improves.Stancliffe used IQE as a good example. It had traded below 10p and later moved as high as 60p to 70p, accompanied by a significant jump in volume. Before that rally, liquidity may well have looked challenged. Once the market's attention returned, so did trading activity.The lesson is simple: Liquidity can be patchy at any given moment Interesting companies tend to attract liquidity over time Strong performance often solves the liquidity complaint very quickly That is also why recent winners in the London market, including selected small caps and Aquis-listed names, have managed to generate meaningful trading interest when the underlying story has been right.Where humans still matter in an AI-driven marketElectronic trading, automation and AI are now standard talking points across every part of financial markets. Execution services are no exception.Stancliffe is clearly in the camp that sees AI as a positive tool rather than a threat. His description of it as a “modern day calculator” is a good one. It captures the practical reality that AI can improve workflows, increase efficiency and help traders focus on higher-value activity, rather than replacing the core human role altogether.In execution businesses, that means automation can be used to handle smaller trades or more routine processes, while traders spend more time on larger opportunities and more complex client needs.But the key point is that relationships still matter. Markets are built on trust, communication and judgement. Those things do not disappear because technology gets better.AI may improve efficiency and service quality, but relationship building still requires human interaction, not an AI-generated email. That is probably the right balance. Technology helps scale the service. Human input still drives the important conversations.The UK government, the City and the investment culture gap with the USThere has been a lot of discussion in recent years about whether governments of all colours truly understand the City, and whether policy is helping or hurting UK capital markets.Stancliffe's take is relatively measured. He believes the current government, like its predecessors, wants to promote growth and investment. The frustration comes when policy changes create unintended consequences that weigh on the very part of the market they are trying to support.Tax changes and the treatment of AIM companies were cited as examples of where the outcome can end up being a net negative, even if the wider objective is understandable.He also highlighted a broader cultural issue. In the US, the media and the wider market ecosystem tend to celebrate investment and champion corporate success. In the UK, there is often more focus on what is going wrong.That matters because sentiment shapes participation. If the national tone around equities is too negative, it becomes harder to attract new investors, support IPOs and build confidence around domestic capital formation.Reasons for optimism on UK equitiesDespite the noise, Stancliffe remains optimistic about the UK market. His case rests on a few clear pillars: The UK has outstanding companies already listed There are strong private businesses that may yet come to market for growth capital The UK still has world-class universities and talent The market has delivered better performance than many people give it credit for One striking example was Rolls-Royce. While much of the media attention remained glued to US technology winners, one of the best-performing major stocks last year was listed in London, not New York.That is a useful reminder that opportunities in UK-listed businesses do exist, even if they are often under-marketed compared with the US giants.The Winterflood Retail Access Platform and why it mattersIf there is one area where Winterflood has made a particularly visible contribution in recent years, it is through RAP, the Winterflood Retail Access Platform.Stancliffe is understandably proud of what has been built. In just over three years, RAP has helped raise around £600 million across roughly 130 transactions, spanning listed companies and fixed income deals.That is more than just a nice growth statistic. It represents a meaningful shift in how retail investors can participate in capital raises that were historically difficult to access.Why retail investors used to miss outPlacings in UK-listed companies are often fast, especially accelerated fundraises that can be completed within hours or over a day or two. Historically, that speed worked in favour of institutions and left retail investors excluded, even where they were already shareholders.The issue was not necessarily intent. It was logistics.Retail channels were simply too slow and too fragmented to participate efficiently in many of these situations.How RAP improves accessRAP is designed to digitise the process and help retail shareholders take part in what Stancliffe referred to as soft pre-emption. In simple terms, it gives existing retail investors a better opportunity to maintain exposure when a listed company raises money.The platform works by sending transaction information out efficiently through major retail investment platforms, including names such as: Hargreaves Lansdown AJ Bell Interactive Investor That creates a much more seamless route for eligible investors to be represented in placings that might otherwise pass them by.It is also a genuine step forward for market fairness. Existing shareholders should not be left out purely because the process moves quickly.How to register interest in RAPWinterflood now offers a notification service for new transactions. Those interested can register via winterflood.com under the Retail Access Platform section using an email address for alerts.That is a clear upgrade from the old model where access often depended on whether a broker happened to make contact in time.Are there minimum investment sizes?In some cases, yes. There can be minimum participation levels, although Stancliffe indicated these are often relatively modest, around £250. The exact minimum depends on the individual transaction rather than being fixed across the board.So while not every deal will look identical, the general principle is that access thresholds are usually small enough to be realistic for many retail participants.Why volatility can be good for trading firmsMarkets had been dealing with heightened geopolitical tension, including conflict involving Iran and wider instability in the Middle East. In that sort of environment, equity prices can swing sharply and sentiment can turn quickly.For market makers and execution businesses, volatility is not automatically a bad thing. In fact, from a trading perspective, it can be beneficial.Stancliffe explained the mechanics clearly. During periods of elevated volatility: Trading volumes often increase Bid-offer spreads tend to widen slightly That combination can improve trading economics for the business So yes, a moving market is generally more helpful than one drifting sideways with little activity.That said, he was careful not to confuse commercial benefit with enthusiasm for instability. The geopolitical backdrop itself is clearly unhealthy. The point is simply that markets are dynamic and adapt quickly.Markets are more resilient than headlines suggestOne of the more notable observations was how resilient equities have remained despite serious geopolitical concerns. US markets have continued to push towards all-time highs, the FTSE 100 has remained close to its own high levels, and smaller companies further down the market cap scale have also rallied strongly in places.That resilience reflects a long-standing truth about investing: markets often climb a wall of worry.Conflict, elections, policy shocks and macro uncertainty are all part of the landscape. The existence of risk does not stop opportunities from emerging.The practical takeaway for investorsPerhaps the most useful closing point was also the most grounded one. In uncertain conditions, the answer is not to disengage. It is to stay close to your portfolio, keep reviewing the opportunities in front of you, and reassess positions in light of the environment you are actually in.That applies whether the uncertainty comes from war, politics, taxes or market rotation.The underlying message from Winterflood's perspective is constructive: The UK market still has real liquidity, especially when the story is compelling Technology is making access better, particularly for retail investors in fundraises Human judgement still matters in execution The UK has more investable quality than the prevailing narrative often suggests Volatility creates risk, but it also creates opportunity For anyone involved in UK equities, that is probably the right lens through which to read the current market. There are frustrations, certainly. There are policy missteps, no doubt. But there is also infrastructure, innovation, and a continuing flow of opportunity for those prepared to stay engaged.

In this episode of Inside Insurance, Jean Rea sits down with Fergal Dolan, Partner in KPMG UK's actuarial services practice and an approved Chief Actuary for Lloyd's. They explore the latest developments in the London Market, including the shift from a hard market to softening conditions, the impact on reserving and pricing strategies, and what insurers can expect as we approach year-end 2025.   With insights on market cycles, operational optimisation, and the role of technology and AI in managing expense lines, Fergal shares practical steps for insurers to navigate change and seize opportunities in a dynamic environment.

The great cliché about our sector is that while business trends come and go – it's the people who remain the constant. Today's guest is someone whose business follows this philosophy to the letter. Dan Topping is the CEO of London-focused, publicly-listed private equity firm B.P. Marsh with just under 20 years in the business. The firm he leads is a household name in the London Market with a 30-year often idiosyncratic pedigree backing entrepreneurs in the intermediary segment. Countless brokers and MGAs, including Howden and Nexus have benefitted from the investment and counsel from this singular institution. Given the highly-focused nature of what B.P. Marsh does, Dan and his colleagues will have seen almost every early-stage investment opportunity in the London market of the last 20 years. That gives a kaleidoscopic perspective and that knowledge and understanding seeps through every pore of Dan's being. The prime job of a podcast like this is to help tease out specialist knowledge accumulated in the market and share it with you the listener. I have known Dan for almost all of his time at the firm and that made this interview really relaxed and much more revealing than most. If there ever were any trade secrets about what has driven the compound growth of this impressive highly-focused business, they won't be secrets after this podcast. If you want to know what makes entrepreneurialism in the specialty insurance sector tick, this is the place to come. Together we'll examine some of the surprising trends Dan is seeing in what many would view as an ultra-consolidated intermediary segment. Dan is as eloquent and relaxed as he is knowledgeable and the time will fly by. And perhaps you too will be inspired and emboldened to dare strike out on your own entrepreneurial journey. Clichés come about because by and large they are expressing an underlying universal truth. A quick listen and I think you'll agree that Dan is living proof that it really is the people that make the market what it is. LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo, now part of Sapiens: https://www.advantagego.com

Today's guest is one of the best qualified people in the London Market. In a thirty-year career he has been a senior executive right at the top of Lloyd's and has either chaired or sat on the board of almost all the institutions that underpin the market and represent it to the outside world. Today Sean McGovern is the CEO of UK & Lloyd's at AXA XL and has just taken over the Chairmanship of the Lloyd's Market Association (LMA), the trade body that represents corporate capital in Lloyd's. Sean will speak for both organisations at varying times in our chat today. The timing couldn't be better. In recent years the LMA has really set the agenda on some of the most strategic developments in the way that underwriting takes place in the subscription market and this discussion goes right to heart of how a future Lloyd's will underwrite, how business will be brokered and how capital and new talent will access the market. I have been interviewing Sean for twenty years and he has a great skill in communicating in a really eloquent, but also very direct and concise way. He is very good at speaking plainly and making complicated ideas easy to understand. Today's podcast is no different and this is one of the most broad-reaching and enlightened conversations I have had with anyone since founding the podcast over six years ago. As Lloyd's embarks on a fresh five-year strategic plan this is a great primer on what all the issues are, where the opportunities lie, and what strategic decisions have to be taken for the market to continue to prosper. NOTES: The latest LMA report is on Lead and Follow. I can highly recommend a read: https://lmalloyds.com/campaigns/lead-and-follow-in-the-lloyds-and-london-market-beyond-the-binary/ And if you haven't already read the LMA's seminal publication on Enhanced Underwriting you can access it here LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com

Nick Abraham, CEO, Amwins Global Risks, discusses how abundant capacity, social inflation concerns, and growing delegated authority opportunities are shaping broker strategy and client outcomes in the London specialty insurance market.

In this episode, Robin Merttens moderates a panel with Tessa Wardle of QBE, Emily Stanford of Gallagher and Jonathan Spry of Envelop Risk, recorded live at the InsTech London event Some lead, others follow: Smart underwriting and broking strategies for 2026.  As algorithmic underwriting and portfolio solutions reshape the London Market, insurers, brokers and reinsurers are rethinking how risk is placed, followed and managed at scale. Facilities are multiplying, digital trading models are emerging and data is becoming the foundation of increasingly automated underwriting decisions.  Drawing on perspectives from underwriting, broking and reinsurance, the panel explores what portfolio underwriting really looks like in practice today. They discuss how facilities are evolving, why broker strategies are changing and what it takes to run sustainable portfolio capacity in a market that is becoming more digital and more data-driven.   At the centre of the discussion is a growing tension between ambition and infrastructure. The market wants faster placement, smarter capital allocation and more algorithmic decision-making, yet many firms are still wrestling with fragmented data, legacy systems and inconsistent standards.  In this conversation, Tessa, Emily and Jonathan share:  Why portfolio solutions have become one of the fastest-growing models in the London Market  How brokers are evolving their placement strategies as facilities and pre-placed capacity expand  Why selecting the right portfolio leader is critical for long-term facility performance  How improving data quality is becoming a prerequisite for digital trading and algorithmic underwriting  Why incentives across brokers, carriers and reinsurers matter when it comes to better data  How AI is reshaping risk, creating new liability exposures and changing how insurers analyse emerging threats  Why capital providers are increasingly demanding greater transparency and portfolio insight If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Robin Merttens on LinkedIn.  Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.

In this episode, we bring you a live panel from InsTech's May event at CodeNode, exploring how automation is reshaping claims in the Lloyd's and London market — and why the belief that specialty is too complex to automate no longer stands.  Moderated by Matthew Grant, CEO of InsTech, the panel features Simon White, Chief Claims Officer at Apollo, Aidan O'Neill, Founder and CEO of DOCOsoft, and Zoe Woods, Claims Improvement Manager at Lloyd's.  Specialty claims have long been viewed as too bespoke, too nuanced and too reliant on human judgement for automation to play a meaningful role. But as underwriting becomes algorithmic and distribution turns digital, claims can no longer lag behind.  This conversation moves beyond theory to evidence. Automation is already embedded in live workflows across the market. The firms adopting early are seeing measurable operational gains.  In this conversation, they share:  Why the myth that specialty claims cannot be automated is finally breaking down  How Apollo processed more than 23,000 claims through automated checks, cutting handling times to under a working day  What happens when you ask claims handlers to map every task they repeat on each file  Why automation should augment decision-making rather than create black boxes  How structured data and integrated dashboards unlock meaningful AI use cases  What Lloyd's is doing to balance innovation with oversight in a syndicated market  Why modular, plug-and-play services are replacing large-scale transformation programmes  What specialty can learn from automation in motor and property lines  Why starting small with repeatable processes creates fast, tangible wins  How claims is shifting from cost centre to strategic differentiator  If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn.  Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.

As the global insurance market becomes more competitive, the first place to notice the change is usually the wholesale segment, because it's always at the margins where all the most dynamic pricing action occurs. But whilst falling rates can prove a headwind to growth, as long as submission flows hold up and deals keep being done a more competitive market can be a more attractive one for new business because it is more welcoming to innovative ideas. Today's guest is perfectly placed to see what is happening because he runs a business with around $4 billion dollars of wholesale premiums running through it. So that's why I'm delighted to welcome Nick Abraham CEO of Amwins Global Risks (AGR) to the show. As the International subsidiary of one the dominant trio of major US wholesale brokers, after entering the London Market via strategic M&A, over the past decade AGR has grown its position rapidly to become a major force in the London and global wholesale markets The discussion is very rich and deep in places but it is also broad-ranging, moving from detail on AGR's overall strategy to the specific opportunities and challenges of current market conditions and the possibility of shifting alliances relating to retail broker consolidation, all the way through to the likely long-term impact of technological change on the way wholesale business will be transacted in the future Nick is a charming and eloquent guest who is easy-going, fun and engaging. He is full of passion for the job and this shines though in our interview. All this makes for a really enjoyable and informative Episode. LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com

In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro speaks with Antonio Grimaldi, Partner at McKinsey, about how London Market carriers can unlock growth by redesigning their operating models, not just optimising portfolios. They explore why execution drives the majority of performance, how underwriting workflows must be reimagined to free up judgement-led work, and what the shift towards facilities, MGAs, and alternative distribution means for competitive differentiation. The conversation cuts through the AI hype, outlining a pragmatic buy-versus-build framework and the real cost of “POC purgatory”. Antonio also reframes relationship-based service for 2026, arguing that speed, clarity, and decisive underwriting strengthen broker relationships more than manual processes; especially in a softening market.Fan Mail: Got a challenge digitizing your intake? Share it with us, and we'll unpack solutions from our experience at Cytora.To receive a custom demo from Cytora, click here and use the code 'Making Risk Flow'.Our previous guests include: Bronek Masojada of PPL, Craig Knightly of Inigo, Andrew Horton of QBE Insurance, Simon McGinn of Allianz, Stephane Flaquet of Hiscox, Matthew Grant of InsTech, Paul Brand of Convex, Paolo Cuomo of Gallagher Re, and Thierry Daucourt of AXA.Check out the three most downloaded episodes: The Five Pillars of Data Analytics Strategy in Insurance | Craig Knightly, Inigo 20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek Masojada Implementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

Today's guest is a living example of the London Market being a place where global talent can come and enjoy a varied and fulfilling career that doesn't have a glass ceiling. He arrived in London over thirty years ago as a risk engineer and now oversees insurance businesses writing over $2.5 billion in premiums and employing around 400 people. Luis Prato is President of Liberty Specialty Markets in the UK & the Middle East and North Africa as well as being CEO of Liberty Managing Agency at Lloyd's. Because he is an engineer by training he is exceptional in his grasp of the technical side of underwriting and insurance operations. But he is extremely well rounded and has absorbed and internalised the culture of personal relationships and mutual trust that underpins the London subscription market and allows it to keep reinventing itself. Luis instinctively knows that outperformance in underwriting is a combination of both science and art. He has the engineer's analytical mindset to bring rigour and structure to his methods, but also knows that if change comes at the expense of the people who make the market what it is, it won't succeed. So, as the market simultaneously softens, digitises, and adopts AI and varying degrees of automation, this is a compelling and highly relevant conversation that brings us right up to date. Luis is optimistic about the immediate, medium- and long-term prospects for the London Market and after listening to someone as technically gifted, credible and down-to-earth as he is talking in these terms, I think you will be too. NOTES I made a mistake when I mentioned Luis's colleague Matthew Moore. Matthew last appeared on the show in his capacity as Chair of the London Market Group, that is the LMG, not the Lloyd's Market Association - the LMA, which is what I said. LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com

In this episode of the podcast we speak with Daniella Peers and Fintan O'Connor, members of the CII's New Generation Programme London Market Group for 2024-25, after their successful 'Crypto Confidence: How can the London Market demystify digital asset insurance?' event held at the Old Library in Lloyds. We discuss their project and time on the programme. Find out more here: https://www.cii.co.uk/learning/insurance-institute-of-london/articles/crypto-confidence-how-can-the-london-market-demystify-digital-asset-insurance/6dcf2487-9516-4312-8757-f75aefe6bbeb

At first glance, today's guest might have an unenviable job. That's because that job entails trying to find the common ground between the hundreds of Lloyd's brokers, some of whom are extremely large and very many of whom are very small and very specialist indeed. Christopher Croft, the CEO of the London & International Insurance Brokers' Association (LIIBA)is someone who I see and meet constantly out in the marketplace, and is someone I have been meaning to get on the podcast for some time. That's because he's one of those people that if you didn't already know, a mutual acquaintance would suggest that you meet. LIIBA is a unique trade body and lobbying group because its membership operates globally and so blends a core remit looking after broker interests in the London Market with an important role representing wholesale specialist brokers on the global stage. And Chris is a unique character – he is technically and intellectually very strong but combines this with a down-to-earth good humour and sense of fun that is infectious. In this podcast we focus on the key role that Lloyd's brokers play in innovation and how this role is often under-appreciated and misunderstood by regulators across the globe. We also get up to speed with all the regulatory goings on and market reform programmes in the UK, Europe and beyond. After a listen you'll have learned a lot but I think will also have found a friendly new voice banging the drum for the global insurance industry's pivotal role in the global economy and London's unique role within it. NOTES: Here's a Link to obtain the Innovation Imperative Report we mention. The report was produced in association with Insurindex: https://theinsurindex.com/reports/the-innovation-imperative-why-brokers-matter-more-than-ever/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=LIIBAreport2025&utm_content=innovation LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Amit Santhirasenan, co-founder and CEO of hyperexponential, an actuary and software engineer who has built the AI native pricing and underwriting platform used by leading specialty carriers. In this episode we cover how to turn messy submissions into structured signals your pricing model can trust – without hiring an army, multi agent architectures, the agentic AI mesh, and the human in the loop controls executives need for auditability and speed, and where agentic underwriting is ready today (and where it isn't), plus the metrics executives should track—cycle time, hit ratio, and loss ratio uplift. KEY TAKEAWAYS Email submissions were a luxury at the start of my career! What's been so exciting for me, as a self-professed nerd, is the pace at which the capabilities of core models have got so good that even 6 months ago was a whole product's capability and feature set is now within the gift of Gemini or GPT5. If you're an underwriter filling out a spreadsheet/renew model, in 2025 you need to be working with hx underwriting , actuary or agent inside a renew model to have your paired partner helping you get to the best result. Why can't you have deep risk research on every single risk? Why can't you say: Tell me the most important characteristics in the world that you can tell me about the top 3 exposures? No human can do this work, the cost/benefit trade off there isn't economic, but you can run an OpenAI deep risk API call to do that on every single risk you underwrite today. We do it for you, it's what we do. All of a sudden it's dramatically easier to bring that level of differentiation and specialism in the way that great underwriting has always been done to every single risk you want to touch. BEST MOMENTS ‘You won't see that many places with a $7 trillion contribution to GDP, with such a small number of companies and people responsible for this.' ‘We demonstrated the first API machine vision algorithm in the market in 2017, now kids coming out of university are doing that as toy projects before they get to our clients.' ‘You can have an army of digital agents helping you now, all for $20 per month!' ‘Generative AI models have unlocked the ability to pull data so quickly out of the information required for underwrite that you can put a very quick red/amber/green status on risks, several orders of magnitude greater than ever before.' ABOUT THE GUESTS Amit Santhirasenan is the Co-founder and CEO of Hyperexponential (hx), the AI native pricing and underwriting platform for P&C insurers. Under his leadership, hx Renew has become known for delivering executive level outcomes: ~50% faster submission to bind, 10× faster model build and deployment, and a platform that supports $45bn+ in GWP for 20+ enterprise customers worldwide. A qualified actuary and computer scientist, Amrit previously spent over a decade in the London Market. He served as Head of Pricing & Analytics at Tokio Marine Kiln, building the managing agent's first technical pricing team to support ~£1.5bn GWP, and earlier held actuarial roles at Catlin (including standing up the Canadian actuarial function). ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook TikTok Email Website This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

This was the opening keynote of the day at Artemis London 2025, our fourth catastrophe bond and insurance-linked securities (ILS) conference in the City of London, UK held on September 2nd 2025. We began the day with a keynote speech by Nylesh Shah, Head of Insurance Supervision, London Market, Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) at the Bank of England. Speaking on the topic of “A vision for the future of UK ILS”, Shah emphasised the role of the regulator in maintaining financial stability and fostering a competitive marketplace for ILS within the UK.  Recent reforms have streamlined requirements, simplified approval processes, and allow for faster contract renewals.  He explained that the PRA aims to balance innovation with credibility and will ultimately look to upgrade PCC rules to allow them to handle multiple contracts, which has been a key ask from the industry. Shah also said that the PRA aims to be a nimble regulator supporting ILS market growth, with a focus on quick authorisations and engagement with participants, and he was the first to highlight the importance of transparency and communication.  He also noted that success will be measured by an increase in the number of ILS transactions and a stated desire to contribute to reducing under-insurance around the world. Watch the full video to learn more about the Bank of England PRA's vision for insurance-linked securities (ILS) in the United Kingdom.

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Barbara Schonhofer and Carmen Powell, two influential voices who have navigated and thrived in the ever-evolving insurance industry. In today's conversation we explore the sector's evolution, the future of work and best practices for continuous networking and development. KEY TAKEAWAYS When I started my career in 1972, men didn't know how to behave as women cam into their own in business and taking frontline roles. It wasn't so much misogyny that I faced, it was more like old geezers having a laugh, they didn't know how to welcome women into he workplace because it was less usual. I found my way by having humour and being smarter in my responses to them, so I sidestepped a lot of the banter in my early career. There were only a few predatory men, most just didn't know how to behave in front of women. I have always celebrated being different. Anything that was an idiosyncrasy was put down to the fact that I was Spanish, and that suited me fine! That served me well because I didn't have to follow the norms. However, when I interviewed for a very large organisation in the UK the HR director asked my how I was going to cope with men making a pass at me. I said that I was coming here to work and that if anybody crosses the line I knew how to deal with that. BEST MOMENTS ‘The men that were kindest to me didn't help me and the ones that gave me a tough time did business with me. I learned to keep my friends close and my enemies closer.' ‘The most wonderful boss I had was a woman, the rest have been men but, like Barbara, they gave me a hard time and pushed my boundaries enough so I knew I was resilient enough.' ‘With everything you take two steps forward and one step back.' ABOUT THE GUESTS Barbara Schonhofer's career in financial services covers four decades operating as a business leader and later as an executive search consultant to the insurance markets. When she began her career she set out to better understand the complexities of much needed culture change in insurance. During her years operating in financial services as an executive search consultant, Barbara challenged normal practices and spotted the need to bring together women leaders in the London Market to network. Alongside ISC-Group, Barbara co-founded and co-Chair GAIN, a non-profit membership organisation encouraging better understanding and inclusion of neurodiverse individuals in the insurance industry. She is a Freeman of the City of London and a member of the Worshipful Company of Insurers, where she co-founded its female network, iWIN. LinkedIn Carmen Powell is an experienced international marketing and business development professional whose strategic expertise is linked to a practical and positive approach to deliver challenging goals, including establishing new markets and reversing declining revenues whilst successfully navigating large and complex organisational matrices. Carmen has a passion for building societal prosperity and strengthening ethical behaviour of organisations through making a difference to their bottom-line. Ethics matter. Carmen constantly strives to deliver value in ever changing corporate environments while at the same time making a positive difference in our world. LinkedIn ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook  TikTok Email Website

Todays' guest has been working on implanting the best technology into the London Market since the days when computer screens only displayed varying shades of green. He's someone who I have known for twenty years and have come to rely upon to unpack all the jargon, spell out the acronyms and explain in layman's terms what is really happening in the ongoing process of London Market technological reform. This is because Jeff Ward, the sales Director of Ebix Europe, is very wise, very patient and also very good company. He also has clear, common-sense opinions and is good at giving logical, concise answers to complex questions, when others might end up over-elaborating, or indeed over-simplifying. In short Jeff Ward is a market gem and an invaluable friend to help navigate the complex process of digitisation in which the market currently finds itself. Ebix Europe was behind the first iteration of PPL and is now in the market with the latest generation of that market pioneer, a sophisticated digital placing system called PlacingHub. As we sit on the cusp of a genuine revolution in the way global business is to be transacted and information flows through the market, Jeff outlines how the world of electronic placing is likely to develop and explains the genuine complexity of the re-engineering of London's core accounting and settlement systems in the first phase of the BluePrint 2 reforms. He also explains how adoption of data-first standards is fundamental, outlines why early attempts to change brokers' and underwriters' timeworn behaviour during the quoting and placing process did not succeed and looks at the best use cases, and probable limitations of, AI in insurance. I highly recommend you take the next 45 minutes to meet Jeff Ward, my great insurance technology friend and guide. I am absolutely certain that in no time he will become yours too. NOTES: CDR = Core Data Record GRLC = Global Reinsurance & Large Commercial Standards LINKS: https://ebixeurope.co.uk/

If you want a masterclass in how to build a business, sell it well and stay hungry for the next idea, listen to Bob Frady. In this episode, Matthew Grant catches up with Bob, CEO and Co-founder of PropertyLens and former CEO and founder of Hazard Hub, to hear what he's learned across three startups, why he's building again post-exit and how he's turning deep domain expertise into tools that actually help people. From fire hydrants to flood risk, Bob has spent years translating messy, hyperlocal data into decisions insurers and now homebuyers can use. But this conversation goes far beyond data: it's about strategy, equity, product‑market fit and the value of knowing when to walk away from the wrong deal. In this episode Bob shares: Why Hazard Hub's founding thesis was wrong, and what he got right instead How PropertyLens is helping US homebuyers make more informed decisions before they buy What UK listeners may not realise about US property disclosures, and why risk is so often hidden How Bob and his co-founder rebuilt their data stack from scratch and landed early B2B traction Why he still believes in the London Market and how UK insurers are often faster adopters What it really takes to scale a direct-to-consumer model in property intelligence Why bootstrapping helped him retain value at exit and how other founders can avoid over-dilution The four startup lessons he shares with anyone thinking of launching their own venture This one's for founders, data practitioners and anyone who enjoys a candid, experience-rich look at what it takes to build a business that lasts. If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Bob Frady or Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Define the challenges of scaling a startup with limited capital and how bootstrapping influences long-term outcomes. List the key differences between US and UK property risk disclosure practices. Explain why Hazard Hub's original thesis did not hold and how that insight shaped the foundation of PropertyLens. If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 367 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Today's Episode is fun and insightful from start to finish and that is entirely down to my guests. One of the great Eureka moments in insurance comes when you meet an actuary who is a great communicator. Five minutes chatting to them usually unlocks understanding that would take you years to glean yourself, or which indeed you may never have worked out without their help. Luckily today I am talking not to one, but two such people. Simon Pollack (pictured top) is the Founder and Director and Owen Whelan is the Managing Director of Calibrant, a really interesting, relatively young business concentrating on portfolio management, particularly in the burgeoning field of Delegated Underwriting Authority. With MGAs continually gaining market share and also garnering extra scrutiny from senior managers and market regulators, Calibrant is in a fast-growing segment of the market. The core of what Calibrant and its Sybil software platform does is to wring improvements to the loss ratio of underwriting portfolios through joined-up, granular analysis. It sounds simple in theory, but in practice bridging all the gaps between the underwriting, reserving, pricing and senior management functions is the culmination of Simon and Owen's multi-decade experience in the industry. This is a duo right on the top of their game and this podcast is absolutely packed with valuable insights garnered from long and successful careers in our business. Simon and Owen met as London Market drinking buddies and you should think of this podcast as a very enjoyable chat in a bar with two great friends and a glass of your favourite tipple in your hand. You'll learn a lot and after listening to this I expect you'll want to spend a lot more time with this fun and down-to-earth duo. LINKS: https://www.calibrantinsurance.com/

Today's guest is a visionary and in the next 40 minutes he's going to outline the future of broking. As insurance placement process evolves from being the movement of documents around the market to a seamless flow of data between parties, we are on the cusp of a big bang in complex insurance. If you think that this is something that won't be happening any time soon, you are completely wrong - it's already happening. Anthony Siggers is the Digital Leader for Marsh Specialty UK and Marsh has already fully digitised 70% of its London slips. Given that Marsh places about $15bn dollars of premium a year into the London Market, this is one tech change that is already way past the tipping point. If a massive broker like Marsh can do it, so can everyone else. So we're digitising the market, but what next? That's what we spend most of this podcast discussing. For example how much of the market will be lead capacity and how much automatic or algorithmic follow? How will a broker be working in the near future? What will happen to costs, commissions and insurance penetration? And what about the impact of AI? And what are the secondary effects of all this change likely to be? Siggers has been implementing technology and pursuing entrepreneurial ideas in and around insurance and the financial markets for thirty years. He is eloquent and he is also great fun. This interview will completely change your perception of where the syndicated insurance and reinsurance markets are heading and how fast they are doing so. If you only listen to one podcast this year, make sure it is this one. NOTES: JSON (pronounced like the name Jason) is a file format for data transfer LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com

Today's Episode is a really enjoyable two-hander. After over twenty years running the IUA (or the International Underwriting Association, to spell it out in full) Dave Matcham has just passed his CEO role over to Chris Jones. So this episode serves a double mission. The first is to mark the extraordinary career of Dave Matcham, the London Market's longest-serving CEO and someone who has helped guide the market through more than 20 years of change. With Dave we look back on some of the most significant milestones and sometimes tumultuous events shaping a lifetime of service to the market. Then we will bring everything up to date as Chris and Dave outline the London Company market trade body's agenda on all the most pressing issues of the day. Running a trade body is often a thankless and unglamorous task, with a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes to make sure the market functions as it should. Dave has been a tireless servant for his membership and the broader London Market and Chris has big shoes to fill. Dave has always been one of the most knowledgeable and approachable senior figures in the market, with a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to business. From this meeting Chris is continuing in that mould. So, if you want a sense of how international insurers' relationship with the UK regulators is developing, where market process reform is heading and how the market is dealing with issues such as the application of AI and the policing of non-financial misconduct, please listen on. Dave and Chris are well-rounded, level-headed and very often light-hearted company and the time will fly by. We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com

Today's Episode is all about collaboration. To anyone in the London Market, VIPR has become a very well-known technology company, particularly in the area of Delegated Authority, where its Bordereaux management systems have achieved a critical mass of adoption. But as the business looks to expand globally, particularly the huge and strategically-crucial US market, it needs to partner with existing major players to achieve its goal. Just because we all know that weaning the insurance sector off spreadsheets and other documents is a universal problem, it doesn't follow that a business like VIPR will automatically gain business just because it has a solution that has been tried and tested over time. This is where Sikich comes in, as a trusted adviser implementing technological transformation, it's picked VIPR to go to market to help prepare itself for the coming fully-digital and AI-enabled age. In this podcast Rahul Bhatia, Principal at Sikich and Tony Russell Chief Revenue Officer at VIPR outline this alliance and the huge prize on offer to clients that are able to automate how data, not documents, flow through their businesses, from their customers and onto their own suppliers and wider stakeholders. MGAs, particularly US-domiciled ones, have ridden a spectacular wave of growth in the past decade. If that is to continue and they are to cement their tech advantage, they need to listen to what Rahul and Tony have to say. We live in exciting, revolutionary times and today VIPR and Sikich are at the frontier of delivering a lot of the technological change that much of the industry has been dreaming about for decades. So if you want to know how underwriters can grow without adding to cost while at the same time becoming more skilful at underwriting and more responsive to client needs and new demand, this podcast is for you. Rahul and Tony are hugely experienced in this field and are relatable, down to earth and easy to talk to. I can highly recommend a listen. LINKS & CONTACTS: https://www.viprsolutions.com/ www.sikich.com Rahul Bhatia's contacts are: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahul-bhatia-profile/ Email rahul.bhatia@sikich.com

As the global subscription market digitises, the roles of market leaders and followers are becoming much more clearly demarcated. There are businesses designed to be leaders with large investments in class-specific expertise and specialist distribution relationships who are looking to align followers and consortium partners behind them. There is also a parallel class of follow-only underwriters looking to support and amplify those same leaders. It's a modern twist on the oldest symbiotic relationship in the subscription market. Ki is an example of a wholly digital business that is looking to become the ultimate following market and this expansive conversation with its CEO Mark Allan sketches out much of what the future of London underwriting is going to look like. Ki has been a first-mover in the world of algorithmic underwriting and has built a billion-dollar business that has matured, become independent and is now offering to share its expertise as a tech partner for underwriters and brokers alike. Mark knows more than any of his peers about what is achievable and what is likely to change in the London Market of the future. On the basis of this conversation, the future of the market should be very bright, as it  becomes much faster, more agile and responsive to brokers and clients, while at the same time becoming much more efficient and productive and a genuine alternative home for the sort of business that has traditionally only been accessible to local market underwriters around the world. It's fascinating and invigorating stuff. Mark answers all the big questions and many more besides. You'll learn a lot and the time will rush past. LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com

Enhanced underwriting has become one of the most talked-about shifts in the London Market, but it's also one of the least clearly defined. In this episode, we share a live panel discussion from our Enhanced Underwriting event, featuring: Colum D'Auria, Canopius Rob Jarvis, Tokio Marine Kiln Tessa Wardle, QBE The conversation begins with a basic question what exactly are “portfolio solutions”? and opens up into a broader exploration of how insurers are adapting to new forms of delegated authority, rising data expectations and the growing influence of broker-led facilities. Our speakers touched on: How different firms define and implement portfolio underwriting The emergence of tracker facilities and their potential to reshape market dynamics Why algorithmic platforms are gaining traction, and where they still fall short The role of live exposure data and the practical barriers to using it well How underwriters can maintain control and accountability in increasingly automated environments What comes through clearly is that many of the most innovative teams are thinking beyond product and pricing and focusing instead on how underwriting structures, controls and data flows can support long-term performance. If you want a clearer view of how underwriting is evolving beneath the surface and how leaders across the market are responding this episode offers a window into the practical realities behind the strategy. You can also read our event write-up: “Enhanced Underwriting: How the London Market is Turning Theory into Practice”. If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn.  Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Define what “portfolio solutions” means across different insurers in the London Market context. Describe how broker facilities and tracker portfolios are influencing underwriting practices and market concentration. List the key components that distinguish smart platforms and algorithmic underwriting from traditional models. If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 361 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Today's podcast is another really vibrant and forward-looking addition to the Voice of Insurance canon. I think that's because it's with one of London's most recently-appointed wholesale broking leaders, Tom Quy Managing Director Acrisure London Wholesale Acrisure London Wholesale is a little different from many of its peers. Yes, it handles most of the same sort of high-end specialist placements that any other London wholesaler does, indeed it sources 70% of its business from outside the Acrisure Group. But it is the scale of the opportunity that it has by being attached to Acrisure's impressive retail network that is particularly interesting. Acrisure has a 5% share of US commercial insurance but unlike most of its top-10 global insurance broker peers, 90% of its clients have less than 100 staff. These are clearly not the sort of businesses that would historically have come to London for their insurance. But here's the interesting and exciting part. As tech brings unit costs right down and allows risk to be packaged in new and more efficient ways, the London Market and some of its more differentiated product might be brought to smaller and smaller original clients in ways that benefit underwriters, clients and the brokers connecting them. That's the opportunity that Tom and is team are getting to grips with and that's what makes this such an enlightening and forward-looking discussion. Tom's challenge mirrors that of the entire London Market – if  it can keep driving unit costs down through digitisation while at the same time keeping product quality, relevance and innovation high, it will have hit upon a rich winning formula that its brokers will be able to export around the world. And if it can't, the consequences don't much bear thinking about. Tom's great company and is a very strong and open communicator and this Episode is highly recommended for anyone interested in the best opportunities in the global wholesale insurance markets. LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com

Attracting and retaining talent in the London Market is an evolving concern, with the PwC CEO Survey revealing that 93% of respondents either recognise the need to change or are already adapting their strategies to address it. Let's discuss how! In this special podcast episode done in partnership with PwC, we invited Anna Craston, Senior Manager, to host a panel discussion to explore the critical trends shaping talent management in the London insurance market.  She's joined by fellow PwC colleague Simone Ritson, Phoebe Thomas from CFC, Jacinta Chiang from WTW and Alfie Holt from Marco Capital to share their firsthand experiences and insights. Together, they discuss how companies can build inclusive cultures, the shifting expectations of new talent and what organisations must do to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. This episode dives deep into why attracting diverse talent is just the beginning and why inclusion, development and purpose are the real keys to retention. Key talking points: Understand why changing employee expectations are reshaping the London insurance market. Learn how AI, automation, and technology are driving new workforce capabilities. Explore the historic challenges in attracting diverse talent to the London market — and how that's starting to change. Examine the impact of culture, career growth, and leadership development on employee retention. Discover the importance of outreach programs to schools and universities in broadening insurance career awareness. Hear why inclusion, not just diversity, is critical for long-term workforce engagement. See how mentorship, reverse mentoring, and visible career pathways can support retention. Get practical ideas for fostering inclusion, from flexible working to cultural days and accessible networking events. For more information, you can read PwC's Transforming the London Market report.  Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Describe the current challenges and evolving expectations around attracting and retaining talent in the London market. Explain how diversity and inclusion initiatives can move from hiring strategies to meaningful cultural change that fosters retention. Identify the most effective strategies companies can use to make the London insurance market more appealing to diverse, next-generation talent. If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 351 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

The ultimate insurtech podcast crossover. In this episode, Matthew Grant is joined by Rob Beller and Lee Boyd, co-hosts of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, for a cross-continental conversation on what they've learned after more than 300 episodes spotlighting insurance innovation. Rob and Lee share insights from their day jobs at Alacrity Solutions and discuss the realities of claims management in the US, the cultural differences they notice when visiting the London Market and why podcasting has become one of their most valuable tools for professional growth. Also joining the conversation is InsTech's own Zoja, stepping from behind the mic to offer her take on what makes a great guest and why we still don't hear enough female voices on insurance podcasts. Whether you're new to podcasting, thinking of launching your own, or just looking for a better way to understand the insurance ecosystem this episode is full of practical takeaways, thoughtful reflections and just a little bit of holiday light-show talk. Key Talking Points Building the FNO InsureTech Podcast: how a marketing idea became a 300-episode archive  From Texas to California to London: Rob and Lee reflect on the cultural contrasts between US and UK insurance markets How podcasting helps build relationships and shape industry perspectives Defining a great guest: why passion, personality and storytelling beat corporate scripts Podcasting as learning: how hosting guests has improved leadership skills and business understanding Behind the mic: tips for being a good guest The power of partnership: how two co-hosts keep things creative, balanced and fun Industry outlook: one prediction each for how AI, customer experience and economic change will shape the year ahead Advocating for diversity:why we need to hear more female voices on insurance podcasts Think big, start small: why building global networks starts with showing up, listening and sharing ideas If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. You can also contact Rob Beller and Lee Boyd on LinkedIn to start a conversation! Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: List the qualities that make a guest engaging and memorable on an insurance podcast. Define the role of podcasting in creating community and promoting innovation within insurance. Specify the differences between UK and US insurance markets from the perspective of claims professionals. If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 351 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

On the "Insurance Coffee House" host, Nick Hoadley welcomes Andy Moss, the CEO and co-founder of Send. Andy provides an insight into his 25-year career, starting in technical his accidental fall into the insurance industry in 2003 after a previous role at BBC Radio Music New Media. He gained broad insurance experience through roles with Xchanging (later acquired by CSC and merged into DXC), the Corporation of Lloyd's, and as a managing agent in the London Market.Andy shares the journey to launching Send alongside his two co-founders, to scratch the proverbial “entrepreneurial itch” in 2018. All with backgrounds as software developers, the initial focus of the platform was on data and integration. Send launched with its first customer in 2019.With clients across the London Market and in the US, the platform provides a variety of benefits. Andy highlights how Send helps bring insurance technology into the modern era, helping clients make better underwriting decisions by understanding the portfolio impact of individual submissions, improve operational efficiencies by automating digital paperwork and unstructured data management, and ensure compliance with rules and regulations.He discusses their business growth, particularly in the US market, noting the larger scale and different go-to-market approach compared to the concentrated London Market. Despite the differences, Andy emphasizes the common challenges in underwriting across both regions. Looking ahead at the next five years, Andy shares a "techie's angle" on evolution within the insurance market. He sees a continued drive to apply automation to increasingly complex product lines, building on the success of digital underwriting for simpler products. Andy discusses the rise of AI and the increasing use of data in underwriting, stressing the importance of 'operationalizing' and integrating new data sources and AI tools within the underwriting workflow to avoid creating more disconnected systems. With around 20% of Send's 100-strong team having a background in insurance, Andy stresses that while insurance knowledge is valuable, they also value the diversity of backgrounds and different perspectives that employees bring. Andy uses the phrase "knowing the art of the possible" to describe the key combination of insurance expertise and technological understanding needed in the insurtech space.He advises insurance executives considering a move to insurtech to recognize the value they already add, particularly those focused on data, process, and automation opportunities. He suggests reflecting on their current skills and job functions and mapping that onto the requirements of insurtech roles, as well as networking at industry events. As closing advice, Andy urges people to "just get involved" in technology initiatives within the insurance industry to improve outcomes. Connect with Andy Moss on LinkedIn or find out more about Send. The Insurance Coffee House Podcast is brought to you by Insurance Search.We are a global Insurance Executive Search Consultancy, supporting Insurance and Insurtech businesses to attract and retain the very best insurance talent.Find out more about showcasing your employer brand as a guest on the Insurance Coffee House Podcast or sign up to our News and...

Today's podcast is one of the most positive and optimistic I think I have ever recorded. Andrew Horton Group CEO of QBE has been in the role long enough to have been able to reap some of the rewards of the changes he has made at the global insurer since he took over the top job. Having dealt with legacy issues and posted some remarkable results that have validated his strategy – the mood from this interview is 100% forward-looking and upbeat. Andrew's QBE has a spring in its step and a growth plan to execute into a global insurance and reinsurance market that seems to be throwing up opportunities almost wherever you look. It certainly helped that this was recorded on a pleasant early spring day in London, with plenty of sun in the sky and blossom on the trees, but the difference between this interview and the last one I did with Andrew two years ago is palpable. Today, Andrew is buzzing with energy and good humour and has audibly grown in confidence. In this discussion we make light work of all the issues of the day, taking in topics as diverse as Reinsurance, D&I, the long-term trends of facilitisation and algorithmic underwriting and their consequences, Lloyd's and the London Market, and insuring the transition. So listen on as we take a world tour of market opportunities and a refreshed and revitalised player looking to seize the moment. If you are feeling jaded and in need a tonic – this is just what the doctor ordered! LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com We also thank audio advertiser, The Insurance Network (TIN), organiser of the highly-successful TINtech events series and Data Jam. www.tin.events

Today's Episode has a really special feel to it and that's all down to this week's guest. Graham Evans is Executive Vice President and Head of International Insurance at Westfield Specialty Insurance and is bringing all that experience to bear as US Mutual Group Westfield looks to build out a globally diversified specialty operation to complement its core US insurance business. In this podcast we assess the prospects for the London and broader International specialty insurance markets and go into detail about Westfield International's ethos and growth strategy moving forward. Graham has been working in the underwriting rooms of the London Market since the mid-1980s, so has been a London underwriter boy and man through markets of all descriptions. His is the sort of experience that is exceedingly hard to replicate and, listening back to this recording, it's plain that all his answers bring a lifetime of London Market expertise to bear. This makes for a very enjoyable listening experience, particularly when the current prospects for the London Market are looking more exciting than at any other time in Graham's long career. So listen on as Graham explains how the 177-year-old Westfield Group is planning to bring something a little different to the already eclectic mix of the London and International insurance markets. LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com

Today is a first. I've had a many senior industry executives on the show who have started their careers as actuaries, but I've never met anyone who already knew when they left school that they definitely wanted to be one. Martin Burke is different and this is what makes him an excellent podcast guest. In his own words he has walked something of a squiggly career path that has brought him to his current position as Chief Underwriting Officer at Lloyd's stalwart MS Amlin. But having walked all the bends in the road to get where he is now has made Martin an extremely well-rounded CUO. It's obvious none of his time spent on reserving, pricing and in the finance and risk departments has gone to waste. To re-run the cliché, actuaries aren't famous for being great communicators, but that just makes the ones who are stand out. Martin has the gift of the gab and that makes him a high value guest to someone like me. An interviewee who can understand and, more importantly, summarise and explain complicated ideas in a way that laypeople can understand, is podcasting gold dust. And when that person is also responsible for profitably growing a £2bn (US$2.5bn) book in today's market, this makes for a complete and satisfying listen. Here we run through MS Amlin's strategy in an evolving market and take in Martin's views on an eclectic range of topics, including the impacts of the latest major loss activity on insurer and reinsurer appetites, the best applications of technology and Ai, as well as his priorities for where he feels the London Market should be developing as a collective as the leadership regime at Lloyd's transitions. I think you'll find Martin fun to spend time with and full of surprises. LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com

This episode features the first panel session of the day at our Artemis London 2024 conference, which was held on September 3rd. It was our third in-person conference in London focused on catastrophe bonds, insurance-linked securities (ILS), alternative capital and reinsurance-linked investment trends. The first panel of the day was titled "Efficiently accessing returns in the Lloyd's & London market." Participants discussed the various ways that investors and allocators can access insurance and reinsurance-linked returns from the Lloyd's and London insurance marketplace. Moderating the session was: Des Potter, Special Advisor, Lloyd's. Joining him as panellists were: John Francis, Head of Research, Hampden Insurance Partners; Kate Tongue, Executive Director, Argenta Private Capital Ltd.; John Cavanagh, Chairman, Beat Capital Partners; and Bill Cooper, Managing Director, Howden Capital Markets & Advisory. As well as discussing more traditional routes to support Lloyd's syndicates with capital and access returns from insurance and reinsurance underwriting in the Lloyd's and London marketplace, the panel also discussed new initiatives such as the London Bridge structures and ILS style mechanisms to access risk-linked returns more directly. Listen to the full podcast episode to learn more about allocating capital efficiently into the Lloyd's and London markets, to derive insurance-linked returns.

Today's episode is the latest in a series of podcasts that are all about highlighting the technology companies that are part of AdvantageGo's ecosystem. And this one is really special because it involves the boss of one of the ecosystem's most essential core partners. Aidan O'Neill is the CEO of DOCOsoft, which is the firm on whose systems around half of the London Market's claims are handled. Aidan has been involved with the London Market for around 25 years and since the advent of the electronic claims file in 2008 DOCOsoft has built a leading market position around claims software. Aidan and Ian are both people who anyone who has been part of the London Market community is likely to know or have met at least once. And because of that in many ways this podcast is a personal embodiment of the ecosystem that Ian and AdvantageGo are trying to build – and this itself is a reflection of the wider ecosystem of collaborating and competing entities that make up the broader London Market that it serves. Ian and Aidan have been collaborating for many years and get on extremely well. So in this fun episode we get an overview of DOCOsoft and all the latest news on the ecosystem, but we also get the benefit of all of Ian and Aidan's collective wisdom looking beyond the upcoming reforms of Blueprint 2 and into a world of straight-through processing and a market where the true benefits of new technologies such as AI are going to be reaped. Greater productivity, better client service and outcomes and a much stronger flow of business into London are some of the prizes that Ian and Aidan can see just over the horizon. It's inspiring stuff and the next half an hour is going to rattle by. LINKS  https://www.advantagego.com https://docosoft.com/

Today's episode is a real treat. With all Voice of Insurance podcasts the aim is to be able to get to a level of comfort and ease with a guest so that what we end up hearing is as close you can get to listening in on a lively conversation between two good insurance market friends in a bar. This week I think we managed it and that's down to my guest, Nick Line, the Chief Underwriting Officer of Markel International. Nick has had a fascinating career, almost all of it at Markel and one of the forerunner companies that it acquired to make its entry into the London Market in the late 1990s. Nick has been through markets hard and soft as well as reserving cycles plump with redundancy followed by equal and opposite inverse periods of insufficiency and strengthening. You could say he has seen most things – and he also seen those phenomena through different lenses as he started his career as an actuary and only more recently took a more public-facing role. Nick's story is Markel International's story too- as well as that of the evolving London and wider international insurance markets over the last 30 years. As the market has become more technically sophisticated and reserving, pricing, capital and risk have to be measured and controlled, it has become perfectly logical that a CUO might not necessarily be someone who has written a risk in anger themselves We cover quite a bit of history but it is the forward-looking parts of this podcast that are the most rewarding because Nick combines all the technical smarts one would expect from an actuary with the communication skills of the best CEOs. His is a vision of the tech-and-data-empowered underwriter and global insurance market of the future, but one where the magic always still happens at the behest of a human insurance professional. Markel International has grown quickly in the hard market of the last few years and this podcast is a record of a business that has found a groove and is firing on all cylinders. We made this recording in Markel's London office only aided by coffee, tea and water with no beer or wine anywhere to be seen. But by the end it's almost as if the champagne were flowing as tongues and jaws were loosened and expansive ideas were unleashed on the world. This makes for a fun listen that is brimming with smart observations and interesting takes from Nick. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. We also thank audio advertiser, The Insurance Network (TIN), organiser of the highly-successful TINtech events series. This week they are advertising their successful TINtech London Market event, which will be happening on 4th February 2025. But before then Data Jam, which is focused on exploring the implications and opportunities of data, analytics, AI and automation in the insurance sector, takes place on 28th November at Convene, 133 Houndsditch, London EC3. I'm going to be there. Get 20% off using the code ‘voice' when you sign up Here

Today's guest is quite out of the ordinary for the Voice of Insurance. Normally guests on the podcast can recount multi-decade careers in insurance from the time they fell into the industry up to the present day. Today's guest is extraordinary because he is someone of vast experience in his field but who has only just been recruited into the insurance industry. John Mason is the CEO of London Market electronic placing provider PPL and can boast a glittering career running the core systems and platforms that support hugely important global financial markets in other financial sectors outside of insurance. From this encounter I can tell you straight away that I think that we have a lot more to learn from John than he does from us. But thankfully for us John is not the sort of outsider who has come to lecture us on how to drag our antiquated trading systems into line with markets that fully digitised decades ago. John is an experienced leader and the type of communicator who understands that a market that syndicates bespoke structured insurance coverage across the globe is bound to throw up many unique complications and challenges He gets the tone just right – he is here to do an important job and he has a clear vision of how to go about it, but he is very conscious of the need to meet us where we are and show how tech is going to make the way we already work way more efficient and higher added value, rather than try and force us to completely change the way we do business. And that's where this extraordinary podcast adds its value. John is easily the most eloquent leader running a core insurance technology platform I have ever interviewed. He knows where the pitfalls lie and has the experience to know how to execute large, complicated, transformational projects. He hasn't been with us long, but the ideas we discuss in the time that follows are highly impressive and are set to transform frontline brokers' and underwriters' day-to-day relationship with the technology they use to carry out their jobs. They could unleash a wave of productivity and creativity that would completely re-set the market's relationship with itself and with the rest of the world. It's extraordinary stuff – but as I said at the beginning, John is very much out of the ordinary. LINKS: We mention a video that PPL has produced outlining the vision behind its recently-announced partnership with Microsoft. I highly recommend a view: https://vimeo.com/1017109828  https://placingplatformlimited.com

TRANSCRIPT HERE With a career spanning more than 30 years, today's guest is a senior executive who has the London insurance market well and truly in his blood. John Fowle has changed employer since his last appearance on this podcast just under three years ago and with a year under his belt as CEO of Atrium Underwriters, now seemed the perfect time to get him back on the show. Atrium is a Lloyd's blue-chip performer, respected in the market for its agility and underwriting skill across the cycle, and ability to punch well above its weight. As Lloyd's and Atrium are experiencing some of the best market conditions and underwriting results in their histories, this was a meeting with an executive at a business with great prospects in a market that is openly supportive to growth and innovation. With the world effectively Atrium's oyster, there are many doors and options currently open to this carrier. With so many potential choices available, the conversation that follows reveals a lot about John and Atrium's singular view of the insurance world – a view that has stood them both in good stead over the last 30 years. We talk about the prospects for pricing and continued business flow into the London Market, a new-found maturity over collaboration, smart distribution and innovation and get specific updates on some of the classes in which Atrium is recognised as a leader. John is a straight-talking guest who doesn't duck any of my more sensitive questions, but for me it's his deep understanding of how the market fits together and what it does best, coupled with a senior manager's knowledge of how to get the best out of high-performing underwriters that really shines through this Episode. Listen on and I think you'll see what I mean. LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com We also thank audio advertiser, The Insurance Network (TIN), organiser of the highly-successful TINtech events series. They are advertising their new London-based event, Data Jam, which is focused on exploring the implications and opportunities of data, analytics, AI and automation in the insurance sector. It's on 28th November at Convene, 133 Houndsditch, London EC3. I'm going to be there. Get 20% off using the code ‘voice' when you sign up Here

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Ola Jacob, Business Development Director for the UK & Ireland at Descartes Underwriting, a specialist Parametric Insurance MGA and Insurer. On today's episode, Ola will provide an educational deep dive into the world of parametric insurance. He'll explain what parametric insurance is, how it differs from traditional insurance, and why it is gaining traction as a data-driven solution to cover risks like natural catastrophes.  Ola will share real-world examples of how parametric insurance has provided significant value to corporate clients and industries adopting this innovative approach as part of their risk management strategies. KEY TAKEAWAYS When I started in insurance I didn't know much about it, but when you strip it down to its bare bones it's the idea of making good on your promise. That was a big draw for me because it felt altruistic. When it's done right, and someone receives their cheque for the claim after it's all gone smoothly is the best feeling in the world. The stigma we get from the bad experiences is what damages the image of insurance. The best solutions are ones that people don't know about, and ones that don't get in the way and make things better. If you're going to create a solution that helps it should have another login or portal, something clunky that gets in people's way, it should be cool and slick like a Rolex. Innovation can't be done on your own, when I won the Insurance Times Technology Champion of the Year Award, it was a reflection of the whole industry and all the people I've met on my journey that have been open to change. I don't think we've done it yet, I think there's so much more change to be had and I'm excited to see how we can push further. The biggest problem in parametric insurance is the name, because it sounds so complicated. But it's actually the simplest form of insurance there is. The Mantra behind all parametric policies is: When a pre-agreed parameter is met then a pre-agreed pay out is made. This forms the backbone of all parametric contracts. That differs from indemnity because indemnity is a promise to put you back in the same condition you were in before the loss, parametric is pretty much black and white. BEST MOMENTS ‘If you add parametric to indemnity it could really be a game changer that could change the face of how we do insurance forever.' ‘I've always wanted to come in and do something to help change insurance for the better with technology.' ‘In parametric products, the parameters must be measurable and independent, something that's not controllable by somebody else, like weather.' ‘Clients recover, using parametric insurance, with 10X less limit than they'd previously because of the speed of payout. And they'd planned how they would use that payout because they already knew what they were going to get if this event happened.' ABOUT THE GUEST Ola Jacob is the Business Development Director for the UK & Ireland at Descartes Underwriting, a specialist Parametric Insurance MGA and Insurer covering Natural Catastrophe exposure globally.  With over 12 years of experience in the London Market Insurance Sector, Ola has worked on UK Retail, Product Recall, Terrorism, Onshore Energy and Parametric insurance. Ola's background in Human-Computer Interaction and Psychology has fueled his passion for developing new approaches to risk transfer and managing risk for clients. As one of the pioneers of parametric insurance, Ola helped build a distribution strategy for one of the first successful parametric solutions in the London Market. In 2024, he was named Insurance Times Technology Champion of the Year for his innovative work. LinkedIn ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook  TikTok Email Website

Today's a really enjoyable episode because I am talking to someone of vast insurance market experience who is getting a shot at putting that deep knowledge and acquired wisdom into really useful practice Greg Massey has had an insurance career spanning four decades that culminated as Head of Programs at Zurich North America. On his retirement in 2022 he became an adviser to VIPR to help the company with its US expansion plans. This is a great match because in this role Greg is able bring his experience to bear to introduce US Delegated authority and programme management industry peers to the products and solutions that VIPR has been providing to that same community in the London Market for almost 15 years. Greg is a great professional and this podcast is a masterclass on best practice in the application of technology for solving core operational problems and generating a genuine data-driven edge in this burgeoning market segment. Greg is also excellent company and is incredibly open and generous with his insights. Half an hour with him will fly by and give you a large number of practical ideas you can apply to your own business. LINKS https://www.viprsolutions.com/

This week we are combining youthful enthusiasm with sage wisdom on the podcast, as Robin Merttens speaks to InsurX's CEO, Gilbert Harrap and Chairman, Michael Watson. InsurX is a platform that enables insurers and brokers to undertake portfolio underwriting, automated contract binding, algorithmic underwriting and instant risk matching. Touching on the importance of driving digitisation in the London Market, Michael also shares highlights from his distinguished career, with a focus on his success at Canopius and his reasons for joining InsurX.  An important episode for all those interested in digital trading, algorithmic underwriting and the future of the London Market. Key talking points include: The Hot Topic - digital trading solutions and an introduction to  Never close to being at the “end” of a career - looking back at career achievements Wise owls and youthful enthusiasm - the perfect pairing? Plans for fundraising  Development in the London Market - where are we at? The tension between centralised infrastructure and entrepreneurs What is next for InsurX and the potential to bring digital trading beyond portfolio underwriting If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Describe what is a digital trading platform in insurance and why is it important in the context of the London Market Explain why bringing new tools is difficult in a centralised infrastructure like insurance, and how companies can work around this issue Identify reasons why it is valuable to mix young entrepreneurs with industry veterans when building out a new tool If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 321 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Next month, Martin Reith will mark 40 years in the London Market. As he approaches this significant milestone, we sat down with him to discuss his journey into the industry, his most notable achievements, his decision to become Chairman of Artificial Labs, and his thoughts on the challenges of modernising the London Market. We also explored his strong advocacy for algorithms and the advice he has for the next generation of industry leaders. Key talking points: Starting 40 years ago Founding Ascot Underwriting and receiving backing from AIG  What has gone well in the Lloyd's Market and what can be improved? Is there a good time to invest in technology Smart Follow - a term often misunderstood The world of algorithms Martin's advice for anyone thinking about entering the Marketplace The London Market - it works on people If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Explain what Smart Follow is in the context of insurance Identify ways in which the London Market place can take advantage of innovation Summarise what an algorithm is and how it can be implemented in insurance If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 318 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

As one of the oldest insurtechs and thirty years in the business - what can we learn from Insurity? Robin Merttens spoke to Chris Lafond, CEO of Insurity - a P&C insurance software provider offering cloud-based solutions to help companies focus on profitability. After a series of acquisitions in 2019, Insurity continue to execute their thesis from five years ago in embracing the cloud and providing the industry with out-of-the-box technology solutions. It is currently trusted by 12 of the top 15 managing agents in London.  Tune in to hear Robin and Chris discuss Insurity's expanding presence in the London Market and whether the term “insurtech” is a helpful word.  Key talking points include: Celebrating three decades in the industry GI Partners and expanding Insurity  Looking back at Insurity's thesis in 2019 The need for underwriting workbenches in the London Market Is AI the ‘data warehouse' of our time? To ‘insurtech' or not to ‘insurtech'? The future of acquisitions for Insurity The curse of past technology decisions - the problems that occur with legacy systems If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Specify how an underwriting workbench can help users Explain what the cloud is in insurance and how it can help users  Summarise why mergers and acquisitions (M&A) can be beneficial for a company If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 313 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Today's Podcast is all about innovation and today's guest has been responsible for doing more of it than most. James Slaughter is Chief Underwriting Officer at Apollo Group, a Lloyd's business that has been behind collaborations and new product launches galore in recent times. Be it exploring semi-automatic underwriting and the application of artificial intelligence, the development of its own ibott syndicate, helping launch a parametric syndicate, or other specialist start-ups focusing on risks as diverse as Cyber, Drones, employee parental benefits or unlocking new business from Africa, Apollo has become one of the go-to market enablers for innovation in the London Market in recent times. James is always incredibly direct as an interviewee – and what you see is what you get – I find he's exactly the same person whether the microphones are switched on or off. And that's why this Episode is such a treat, James always says what he thinks - and it's clear he thinks a lot more than most. Listen on and you'll learn a lot about what is coming down the track, how some of the vanguard technologies are best being exploited and which of the newest developments at the insurance cutting edge James is most excited about. It's breathless stuff – I had a lot of fun recording this one and I think you'll enjoy a listen.   NOTES: Abbreviations: UNL – Ultimate Net Loss. In this context it is shorthand for traditional contract-of-indemnity insurance versus a parametric insurance structure. GUA – the General Underwriters Agreement, which is a leading underwriters agreement designed to govern and streamline how amendments to subscription market placements can be carried out, often allowing a leader or leaders to bind on behalf of following markets. ICX and TCX – Lloyd's class of business codes for innovation and the energy transition respectively. LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com

Today's guest carries out an incredibly important role representing the whole London Market in the UK's corridors of power. That means looking out for a market that wrote over $100bn in core gross written premium and controlled just under $160bn in all in 2022, increasing its global market share to over 8 per cent. That also means representing a market that now employs some 60,000 people and produces two percent of UK GDP and eight-and-a-half percent of London's GDP. Caroline Wagstaff, CEO of the London Market Group, was born to do a job like this. She's passionate and very difficult to say no to, but she's also a great communicator and is very good at reading a room and understanding a collective mood. The London Market Group (or the LMG) allows Lloyd's, Liiba, the IUA and the LMA to speak with one voice on broad London Market-related topics and in this Episode we dissect the LMG's latest London Matters Report and catch up with what is now top of the LMG's busy agenda. The Report is an essential companion to this episode and there will be a link to it in the Notes – I highly recommend a read – it isn't long and is packed full of very useful facts about the London market's place in the global risk ecosystem, as a well as its direction of travel. Caroline is on excellent form in this discussion and the podcast is crackling with energy. I for one am extremely glad that we have been able to get someone of her calibre to represent us as an industry. London has been doing relatively well of late but listening back to this recording it's clear that there is zero complacency at the LMG. It's clear that Caroline is not going to rest until the UK government and regulators are working harder to make it do even better. NOTES: The Latest London Matters report can be found here: https://lmg.london/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/London-Matters-2024-Data-Pack.pdf LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com/

I can't believe it's been three-and-a-half years since I had Alex Maloney on the podcast for a full episode to himself. We've had brief catch-ups at Monte Carlo and when we bump into each other in the London Market, but I haven't had time with Alex properly devoted to understanding what he and the Lancashire Group is thinking. A huge amount has happened since we last spoke, not least Lancashire's entry into the Casualty Treaty arena and its decision to open up a new operation in the US Excess & Surplus lines market. Alex is a great guest because he is one of the most direct and straight-talking people I have had on the show. What you see is what you get. And what we get here is a tour of global insurance and reinsurance market opportunities and what Lancashire is doing to make the most of them, with a minimum of fuss. We also get a distillation of Lancashire's strategy of managing selective growth while trying to preserve a small company mindset and culture and at the same time pitching something slightly different to industry talent. It's all substance and no spin. Listen on and I promise you'll learn an awful lot in a very short amount of time. You'll also get to meet probably the straightest shooter running a public company in our sector. NOTES: I let the abbreviation TIV sneak through. It is a property term and stands for Total Insured Values. LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com

Today's podcast is one of the most eclectic and far-reaching I have produced since founding the Voice of Insurance over four years ago. And that is entirely down to today's guests. Ian Summers Global Business Leader of AdvantageGo (pictured top) is a well-known figure to anyone who has worked in the Global Insurance Market and has a full career of pioneering market modernisation behind him from within the market as Global Information Officer at Aon and serving the market at major Software companies. And if were possible, Bill Pieroni (pictured bottom) has had an even more all-encompassing career to date than Ian. Starting outside the industry at top consultancies, a senior role at State Farm and five years as Global Chief Operating Officer at Marsh followed. For the last eight years Bill has headed up global insurance data standards body ACORD. But if you thought that meant our chat would be limited to global data standards, you'd be completely wrong At their core what Bill and Ian do is provide the tech and the utilities to help insurance get on and do what it does best. Bill and Ian have only been so successful so far because they understand the industry inside and out and that means this podcast is far more wide-reaching than you would imagine. For instance, you wouldn't expect tech experts to commission a historical study on the efficacy of M&A for the insurance industry, would you? But these two have, principally because they are so embedded into the sector that their level of understanding matches most of the most seasoned Executives and analysts. So get ready for a real feast. The winners and losers in insurance M&A, really-detailed insights into the best applications for Artificial Intelligence, the real reason why insurance is so hard to transform and the prospects for the London Market if its latest digital reforms are successful are all to come. And the style of delivery may surprise you. If Ian is a strong and forthright character, Bill is almost off the charts in the energy and passion that he brings to this discussion. I had a real blast and learnt a huge amount. Listen on and so will you. NOTES: The M&A study we discuss can be downloaded here. I highly recommend a read – it's fascinating stuff (and could potentially save you $billions!)

Today's guest is well on the way to cracking a problem that has been vexing the market for thirty years and something I have been writing about specifically for the last twenty. We all know that the process of syndication of risk in the London and other international insurance and reinsurance markets is full of inefficiencies and ripe for reform. But just because a problem has been around for a long time and has been well documented, it doesn't make finding and implementing a solution any easier. I have lost count of the number of insurance and reinsurance exchanges I have seen launch and then wither and die over the last two decades. Gilbert Harrap, the CEO of InsurX is someone who is setting out to change all of this. Many exchanges failed either because they were founded by people with little understanding of complex insurance or they alienated their potential users, particularly the brokers, who often rightly or wrongly perceived them as a threat to their businesses. InsurX is different because Gilbert is someone with market experience who is focusing on building a utility that could help both underwriters and brokers increase volumes and improve margins. This is a fascinating conversation with someone running a business that has already gained significant traction in two classes of business and is looking to expand across the board. Gilbert is one of us and I think that's a big part of why InsurX has been well received. He is laser-focused on helping brokers serve customers better while allowing underwriters to diversify in smart new cost-effective ways. He doesn't want to be an underwriter or a broker – he just wants to be the one connecting them using intelligent new methods that add value to both parties. I really enjoyed my time with Gilbert and left feeling that InsurX might be one of the first exchanges to make it in the complex syndicated risk space. I also ended this conversation feeling much more optimistic about the future of the London Market and its prospects of increasing its global share of high-quality insurance business.   LINKS: We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com/