Instech London Podcast

Root provides platforms and API for insurers, MGAs, brokers to build, launch and manage digital insurance products and embedded experiences in South Africa and the UK. Matthew Grant caught up with Louw Hopley on the opportunities and challenges in the insurance industry, focusing on the role of embedded insurance in adapting to changing customer demands. Discover all from the emerging areas Root is planning to tap into, to the company’s appointment of a new CEO and regional manager.  Key talking points: A year of progress and expansion The development of insurance distribution The future of embedded insurance Root’s journey: leadership and company growth Innovations in insurance: from digital assets to angry AI If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episod

Swiss Re Reinsurance Solutions was launched two years ago to make Swiss Re’s unique knowledge and tools available across the insurance value chain. Swiss Re’s strongest point of knowledge is property - around which we centre this podcast. Robin Merttens spoke to CEO of Reinsurance Solutions Russell Higginbotham on approaching climate-related risks in the insurance industry as well as managing the balance between data accuracy and inclusivity of insurance products for customers. Key talking points: The implication of climate change on property insurance If you are running an insurer now - what should you be focusing on? What should the whole ecosystem be doing with climate change? Planning the future Understanding ‘uninsurability’  Partnerships with Google X, the moonshot factory and acquiring Fathom If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or c

McKenzie Intelligence Services (MIS) helps accelerate disaster relief and economic recovery for insurers. Matthew Grant spoke to Rosina, Chief Product Officer for MIS, who shares insights from her MBA dissertation's findings on the adoption of technology in insurance, highlighting the necessity of collaboration between insurtechs, insurance companies, and other stakeholders to drive innovation and effectively address the insurance protection gap.  Key talking points include: Transitioning from working for a large organization to the world of startup and scale up MBA Dissertation - the process of writing and publishing  Managing biases - reconsidering the issue with the protection gap Collaboration and disruption - where do you stand as an insurtech? Evolving approaches for insurtechs What you should avoid in partnerships To read Rosina Smith’s dissertation ‘Barriers to Adopting Insurtech in Natural Catastrophe (Re)insurance’ you can reach out to her on LinkedIn. If you like what you're hearing, please leave

KatRisk is a catastrophe modelling company providing global inland flood, storm surge and windstorm loss assessments for some of the largest insurers, reinsurers and brokers in the world.  Taking a macrocosm approach, the company’s models offer an open software architecture, allowing users to better understand correlated risks and to make modifications to suit specific needs. Matthew Grant caught up with Dag Lohmann and Brandon Katz on the company’s development such as taking on strategic investment from TA Associates, and the challenges that come with modelling correlated risks such as tornadoes, tornadoes, straight-line winds and more. Key talking points: The journey to strategic investment Innovating catastrophe modelling with advanced technology Client collaboration and transparency: a core ethos Leveraging high-resolution models for underwriting and risk assessment The future of catastrophe modelling and climate reporting Looking ahead: expansion and new developments If you like what you're hearing, ple

From episodes 68, 227 and now episode 299, InsTech has consistently caught up with Cytora and followed the company’s growth and expansion.  Alongside Google, Cytora supported InsTech’s March event in New York, after which Matthew Grant caught up with Richard Hartley on the company’s growth, entering the US market and its impact on the insurance industry. Cytora focuses on data integration, partnering with numerous data providers to enhance the underwriter's workflow and ultimately transform manual insurance processes into digital ones. Key talking points include: Developing the vision as the technology develops Digitizing risk - rendering it decision read Collating the team - collaging different backgrounds in Cytora Case studies - real-life examples of how Cytora helps carriers including Markel and Allianz Heterogenous data in a homogenous view - ecosystems Judgement and data - subjectivity If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on Li

Optalitix was borne out of the need for ‘optimization’ and ‘analytics’, as Co-founder and Director Dani Katz realized the biggest blocker for insurance companies was converting spreadsheets. Having now expanded beyond spreadsheets, Optalitix offers three software products to UK (re)insurers and MGAs.  Robin Merttens spoke to Dani about the spreadsheet polemic, innovation in the London Market and the permeability of finding solutions to difficult problems in both work and personal life. Key talking points include: Growing out a company - solving challenges for insurers To spreadsheet or not to spreadsheet Reflecting on how far digitisation has come in the industry Suns and roofs - best moment to innovate Underwriting workbenches - where to start? - Find out in InsTech's recent report Joining Google Cloud Marketplace Founding a charity Read Matthew’s tips on being a panel host here. If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Dani Katz or Matthew Grant on

Robin Merttens is joined by Ben Ruddle, Senior Principle in Strategy at Publicis Sapient, to discuss how technology can help insurers cater to customers outside the typical insurance model. The discussion covers the concept of 'Beyond Beige,' focusing on the opportunity to serve individuals and businesses with unique or specialized needs that standard insurance products don't cover. Key talking points include: The rise of comparison sites What is ‘Beyond Beige’ - the opportunities in the market Publicis Sapient's expansion into insurance  Addressing the issue of underserved markets If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Ben Ruddle or Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co 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 C

HDI TH!NX was founded in 2019 by Verena Brenner, initially operating within the German insurer HDI Global, as an incubator for IIoT solutions.  Now providing software to support risk management applications for insurers and insurance clients, tune in to hear Verena discuss the mechanics behind founding a startup within an insurer and the company’s development in providing varying solutions for their customers. Key talking points include: Why HDI TH!NX was launched - from a PhD in global supply chains to utilising the impact of IIoT solutions The centrality of the customer Advice for launching a startup - innovation is not a hobby Growing into the ESG space - evolution in the company’s direction Helping insurers understand their risk better If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Dr Verena Brenner or Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co Continuing Pr

How would your clients describe you?  This week on the podcast we have taken a slightly different approach and brought Previsico’s clients, Zurich Muncipal and Donaldson Timber, to discuss how Previsico has helped them with flood risk management. Previsico provides real-time flood forecasts, as part of its mission to reduce global flooding impact, by developing technologies that offer early warning systems for surface water flooding. Discover the importance of collaboration by hearing from Dr Avi Baruch and his work with Allison Whittington at Zurich Municipal and Mark Murphy at Donaldson Timber. Key talking points: The start of Previsico: a PhD research project  Client Insights: Zurich Municipal's approach to flood resilience Exploring the impact of floods and the importance of early warning systems The role of insurance in flood risk management and resilience building Operational challenges and solutions in flood risk management Exploring the complexities of Sustainability and ESG Commitments The role of in

Groundwater flooding poses a great risk to properties in the UK but remains much less widely modelled than other types of flooding.  This week, Matthew Grant caught up with Mark Fermor at GeoSmart, a company specializing in flood data analytics in the UK. They discuss GeoSmart's role in providing detailed flood risk assessments, leveraging their advanced modelling tools that cover all sources of flooding and how they are helping other organisations access and understand open-source data. Key talking points: Discovering the hidden cause of flood risk What problems are GeoSmart helping insurers to solve Different ways to experience a flood The issue of groundwater beyond the UK Open-source data - how GeoSmart can help If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast E

PwC’s Chris Temple and Christine Brogan join Matthew Grant to discuss transformation in insurance, specifically steering organizations towards achieving their ESG goals.  The conversation covers the role of technology and AI in driving change in insurance as well as building resilient business models for the future. This episode is a great introduction to how ESG operates in the financial sector and how transformation in insurance is made possible through collaboration. Key talking points: Understanding ESG - what are the main priorities business need to consider to be successful in the future Transforming insurance - how AI can help The importance of strategy driven by data How the Life Insurance sector got it right Balancing commercial gain with progress Defining “baseline” - current carbon output The biggest driver of innovation is regulation FSTE 100 and sustainability Our upcoming Investor Networking event sponsored by PwC For more information, please see the following PwC reports: PwC UK 2024 Energy Su

“This economy we are heading into [...] we are referring to as the decision economy”.  Robin Merttens spoke to Tom Wilde, CEO of Indico Data on how the company's intelligent intake solution is shaping the decision-making process in the insurance industry by structuring unstructured data.  Data is important in our current 'decision economy'. Indico Data applies generative AI to help insurance companies handle complex and high-volume data challenges, particularly in commercial and specialty lines.  Covering the AI hype cycle, the concept of hallucinations and avoiding hyperbole, tune in to hear Tom Wilde discuss generative AI and why it is an important language for insurers to utilise. Key talking points: Founded by undergraduates - how Indico Data started In the hype cycle - avoiding hyperbole and thinking rationally Defining generative AI - not an application but a language Indico Data's role in the insurance industry - the data problem Programmed with the user in mind Specialising in commercial insurance Ind

Arturo is a property intelligence company which combines multispectral imagery, geographic data and customer portfolio insights with machine learning models in a single platform. A lot has developed in property intelligence since we last spoke to Arturo on the podcast. Matthew Grant caught up with CEO Marty Smuin about how generative AI is adding a new dimension to property analysis. Arturo knows that it is expensive to be wrong in insurance. Find out how Arturo is aiming to tackle relying on outdated public records, incomplete tax assessor data and more in this episode. Key talking points include: Using third-party data to reveal greater insights Driving innovation - Smuin’s background in technology Partnering with Suncorp in Australia  The power of high-resolution data in underwriting property - how Arturo is tapping into new sources of data The impact of generative AI on property risk assessment For more information on Arturo and how they can help, you find more information about the platform here and rea

Robin Merttens is joined by CEO and President of Verisk Specialty Business Solutions (VSBS), Tim Rayner. The discussion covers VSBS’s acquisitions such as Rulebook and Whitespace for a broader digital ecosystem, and the challenges of decision-making and procurement in the London market.  Key talking point: Growth and opportunities in the specialty market Acquisitions and the role of Whitespace and Rulebook The impact of London Market modernisation on Verisk The importance of providing solutions rather than products A challenge to the market to innovate 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. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening,

Since its start in 2001, the insurance platform provider Guidewire has grown to be used by more than 540 insurers in 40 countries. Guidewire's President and Chief Revenue Officer, John Mullen, spoke to Matthew Grant about the company's journey as it continues to grow, the climate of the insurance industry and what are the driving forces of innovation in the company. Key talking points: Why standardisation of critical functions is important in the upcoming year How insurers can find ways of being innovative Collaboration - working with other corporates The value of experimentation Supporting InsTech’s New York Event in March 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. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episod

In this mid-week special, Matthew Grant speaks to Adrian Coupland at Earnix, a software provider to global insurers and banks. They discuss how the nature of risk in the insurance industry is rapidly changing, presenting new challenges in areas like motor pricing and supply chain management. The podcast ends with a discussion about Earnix's new product 'Underwrite-It' aimed at changing the underwriting process. Key talking points: What challenges are Earnix solving for the insurance industry Changes to the auto insurance sector - increasing repair costs and the impact of pricing regulation Underwrite-ItTM - an automated underwriting platform 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. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co Continuing Professional Development This InsT

After the popularity of our first episode, InsTech is back with another analysis of what happened in insurance in the past month.  If you are curious to know what is going on behind the news items you read about in insurance or technology - we’re bringing together experts, founders, insurers and some well know figures to tell us the news items that are capturing their attention – and why. Matthew Grant CEO of InsTech is once again joined by Nigel Walsh, Managing Director, Insurance, Google Cloud US, alongside Martha Notaras, Managing Partner at Brewer Lane Ventures and Charlotte Halkett, Senior Consultant at Milliman.  In addition to this week’s discussion, we have a special feature with the Co-founder and CEO of hyperexponential ​Amrit Santhirasenan as he discusses with Matthew the completion of their Series B funding round.  The news we’re discussing this week: Raising $73 million USD: record funding for hyperexponential in Series B Kicking up a storm - how is property insurance changing as a result of cli

In this episode, Matthew Grant sits down with Sarah Woolliscroft, Group Head of Operations & TPA and Wayne Calderbank, Group Data and Performance Director at Claims Consortium Group (CCG) for an exploration of the importance of technology in the claims industry and CCG's journey into the world of artificial intelligence. Synergy originated as a solution developed internally by CCG to enhance its claims management processes but has evolved since its launch into a platform that streamlines the claims handling process to support customer service and business performance. Key Talking Points Include: The role of technology in the claims industry The significance of passion and shared goals within an organisation How measurable goals and targets within a platform can add value The benefit of understanding the nuances of customer communication Where Synergy is focusing its AI efforts next If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn

This week James Orchard, CEO of QBE Ventures, joins the podcast and discusses the shift in insurers' appetite for innovation, partnerships with startups, and the importance of collaboration in achieving strategic goals.  The conversation covers how QBE Ventures is making strides in data and AI, resilience, and growth in emerging markets, with interesting prospects for cyber coverage and embedded insurance. James also reveals his predictions for 2024, foreseeing consolidation and challenges in investment as well as a focus on AI and strategic partnerships.  An immensely packed episode, for everyone curious about how investing and insurance intersect. Key talking points: Exploring QBE Ventures and its investment strategy The strategy and focus of QBE Ventures The challenges and opportunities in the insurtech space How QBE can become a start-up partner Using AI for resilience  What QBE looks for - the culture of collaboration Coalition of the willing  Predictions and expectations for 2024 in insurtech As well a

This week, we return with Henry Gale as he caught up with Garrett Koehn, President of CRC Brokerage, and Gordon Wintrob, Co-founder and CTO of Newfront. The discussion covers the potential of generative AI for insurance brokers, with real-world examples of brokers using AI right now. Garrett and Gordon talk about how generative AI can improve the customer experience and discuss which AI solutions are better to build or buy.  Listen to this episode to find out more about how “we are all going to become tech companies”. Talking points include: Exploring the use of AI in insurance brokerage - real-world examples Using AI to direct risks to the underwriters most likely to write it How brokers using generative AI helps underwriters Using AI to spot gaps in coverage from contracts with insurance requirements The future of jobs in the insurance industry - supercharge your professionals Updates on insurance and AI start-ups you should know If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platfo