Instech London Podcast

In this episode, Robin Merttens is joined by Tim Hardcastle, CEO and Co-founder of INSTANDA, to reflect on what it takes to turn a contrarian vision into a global insurtech platform and what the next decade of innovation might look like. Tim left a senior role at Hiscox to build a no-code platform for insurers at a time when most said it couldn’t be done. Ten years on, INSTANDA powers operations around the world and is gearing up for its next big leap. This conversation revisits the early sparks of that journey, including a memorable chat at the Royal Exchange, and dives into the personal and professional lessons Tim has gathered along the way. In this conversation, Tim shares: Why the earliest versions of INSTANDA were built despite zero market demand How a falling out with a boss became the unexpected catalyst for entrepreneurship The reality of scaling a tech company in insurance including a motorbike sale to make payroll Why belief, timing and architecture were crucial to gaining traction How humility sh

In this episode, Robin Merttens sits down with Haris Khan and Arved Pohlabeln, co-founders of Novee, to unpack what’s broken in specialty underwriting — and how AI is finally in a position to fix it. Having met as consultants at Deloitte, Haris and Arved kept encountering the same themes: overworked underwriters, inconsistent submissions, and transformation efforts that rarely made a real difference. That frustration turned into action. Today, they’re building Novee — an AI assistant designed specifically for underwriters, combining insight generation with targeted automation. In this conversation, Haris and Arved share: Why underwriting processes remain complex, fragmented and hard to standardise What makes specialty submissions so variable — and why every case feels like an edge case How Novee delivers value in two ways: by surfacing better risk insights and automating manual tasks Why underwriters are embracing AI tools now — not resisting them What it takes to get live in weeks, not months, with meaningf

In this episode, Matthew Grant sits down with Jonathan Rake, CEO of Risk Data Solutions at Swiss Re, to explore how a major reinsurer is building data and analytics as core capabilities beyond traditional risk‑transfer. Jonathan explains why the shift matters, how analytics are being embedded in real‑time workflows, and what insurers and corporates should focus on as risk becomes more interconnected and dynamic. In this conversation, Jonathan shares: Why Swiss Re launched Risk Data Solutions and how it leverages internal analytics for client value How “certainty of insight” and real‑time decision‑making are redefining insurance workflows The differing risk‑analysis needs of large corporates versus insurers, and what each must prioritise How Swiss Re approaches partnerships: enabling versus enriching, and why you cannot go it alone The acquisition of Fathom (UK) and how model‑blending is raising the accuracy bar in catastrophe modelling His approach to leadership, maintaining balance outside work and keeping

Catastrophe models have come a long way - but are decision-makers keeping up? In this panel from InsTech’s The future of catastrophe risk: where science meets reality, Alice Kaye (Inigo), Caroline McMullan (Verisk) and host Dickie Whitaker (Oasis LMF) confront the challenges of turning sophisticated risk models into clear, actionable decisions. Together, they explore why uncertainty is often more valuable than the average, how human biases still cloud our understanding of extreme events, and what’s needed to close the communication gap between modellers, underwriters and boards. This conversation gets real about the behavioural, structural and cultural shifts the insurance industry must make to better navigate risk in an increasingly volatile world. What you'll learn in this episode: Why point estimates often mislead decision-makers - and how scenarios can bring data to life The role of behavioural bias in catastrophe risk assessment (think hindsight, anchoring and mean reversion) How leading insurers like

In this special episode of the podcast, originally hosted by Indico Data’s Unstructured Unlocked, Matthew Grant, CEO of InsTech, joins Tom Wilde and Michelle Gouveia to discuss how insurers are harnessing third-party data and AI to make more informed, efficient underwriting decisions. With over 25 years in catastrophe modelling and analytics, Matthew shares his view on where the real innovation is happening and where insurers are still facing friction. From the rising value of external data sources to the operational impact of generative AI, the conversation is packed with insights that go beyond the buzzwords. InsTech is sharing this episode to highlight the practical challenges and opportunities facing carriers and reinsurers as they modernise their approach to risk. What you’ll learn Why many insurers still struggle to access the most basic risk data What third-party data needs to prove before it’s trusted in underwriting How AI is changing both the speed and depth of catastrophe modelling When it makes s

What are we still missing in catastrophe modelling and how can we close the gap? As part of InsTech’s The Future of Catastrophe Risk: Where Science Meets Reality event, this expert panel explored the limitations of current catastrophe models and how the insurance industry can evolve its approach to risk. Hosted by Ludovico Nicotina (Inigo), with insights from Sandra Hansen (Guy Carpenter) and Paul Wilson (Twelve Securis), the discussion focused on where models fall short, how emerging risks are challenging traditional assumptions and what it will take to build more resilient, climate-aware modelling frameworks. In this conversation, the panel explores: What current models overlook — from unmodelled sub-perils to social and infrastructure vulnerabilities How inter-annual clustering and systemic effects drive outsized losses The tension between increasing model flexibility and responsible use of adaptation features Whether vendors are providing enough transparency to support custom views of risk How the indust

In this episode, Robin Merttens is joined by Julian Schoemig, CEO and Co-founder of Diesta, to explore why payments and settlements remain one of the insurance industry’s biggest unsolved problems, and what it will take to fix them. From his early days selling boxing machines to Munich pubs to underwriting aviation at Munich Re, Julian’s career has been shaped by a single truth: business doesn’t count until the cash is in the bank. That mindset now underpins Diesta, a company building the financial plumbing to help insurers, brokers and MGAs move money with greater clarity, speed and control. In this conversation, Julian shares: Why insurance payment flows are so complex — and how that creates systemic risk What makes insurance different from other industries that rely on intermediated transactions The scale of the problem: seven times more money moves than is written in premium How Diesta connects policy systems, banks and documents to create a single source of truth Why traditional reconciliation tools fal

What would happen if the next hurricane wasn’t just stronger but completely off the scale? Are we prepared for a Category 6 event, and would it even show up in our models? In this panel discussion from InsTech’s July evening event The future of catastrophe risk: where science meets reality, supported by Inigo, Ruth Petrie leads a conversation on how insurers are responding to more extreme, uncertain and fast-changing catastrophe risks. Featuring: Emma Watkins, Catastrophe Risk Leader Chris Weller, Head of Exposure Management, Inigo Tom Philp, CEO, Maximum Information Together, they challenge the assumptions behind traditional catastrophe modelling, explore the limits of the Saffir-Simpson scale and ask whether imagination, not just data, will define the future of risk management. In this conversation, the panel explores: Whether the industry should move beyond Cat 5 and how we define “extreme” risk Why flood, surge and rainfall are often more damaging than wind alone How climate change is altering where an

In this episode, Matthew Grant sits down with Matthew Eagle, Head of Global Model Solutions and Advisory at Guy Carpenter, to explore how one of the industry's most respected voices sees the future of modelling, capital management and advisory in reinsurance. With three decades of experience, Matthew reflects on what’s changed — and what hasn’t — in how reinsurers view risk. From the early days of catastrophe models to today’s generative AI agents and open modelling platforms, he shares how his team is helping insurers manage volatility, optimise capital and drive profitable growth. In this episode, Matthew shares: Why flood, wildfire and severe convective storm are the perils to watch — and model — more closely How generative AI is already reshaping pricing, underwriting and actuarial workflows What insurers need to know about build vs buy when it comes to new analytics tools How Guy Carpenter is scaling open-source tech through Oasis and data standardisation What skills are now essential for new analysts e

In this episode, Matthew is joined once again by Richard Hartley to reflect on a major milestone in Cytora’s journey: its acquisition by US-based Applied Systems. But as Richard makes clear, this isn’t the end of the road. It’s a platform for scale. Listeners will hear how Cytora evolved from tackling political risk to transforming how risk flows through commercial insurance. Richard shares practical lessons from scaling into the US, explains why they rebuilt their platform around large language models and outlines why being agnostic to input but opinionated on risk output is a game changer. They also explore the cultural and technical alignment with Applied, the value of blending insurance expertise with external product thinking and what it really takes to make hard pivots, including knowing when to throw away what you’ve built. In this episode, Richard shares: Why Cytora rebuilt its platform around large language models — and what they threw away to make it work How “decision-ready risk” became a guiding

Jonathan Spry, CEO and co-founder of Envelop Risk, joins Robin Merttens for a deep dive into how data science, AI and portfolio-level modelling are transforming cyber reinsurance. As one of the earliest voices in the industry championing machine learning and systemic risk analysis, Jonathan shares what he's learned over nine years of building Envelop into a leading hybrid underwriter operating across London and Bermuda. In his own words, this episode is about building smarter ways to understand, underwrite and capitalise on emerging risk — with cyber as just the starting point. What you'll learn: Why Jonathan and his team focused on cyber risk and portfolio-level underwriting from day one The rationale behind favouring systemic insights over individual vulnerabilities How causal inference provides a leap forward in predicting tail events Why AI liability is already creating new market opportunities The need for creative, multi-source data strategies beyond traditional claims Why Envelop steers clear of SaaS

What happens when a major US insurance tech player sets its sights on Europe? This week, Robin Merttens speaks with Chris Quirk, VP and General Manager at Insurity, to unpack the drivers behind the company’s international expansion and what it signals for the wider market. Chris brings a unique cross-market perspective, working with carriers, MGAs and brokers on both sides of the Atlantic. He shares how Insurity is navigating the challenges of scaling legacy systems into modern, cloud-native platforms and why interoperability and open ecosystems are now critical in a post-consolidation world. Key themes include: Why the US market is looking to London and Europe for growth The role of private equity and M&A in shaping cross-border expansion Common pitfalls when exporting US tech to the UK and how to avoid them How Insurity is balancing tried-and-tested functionality with modern scalability The growing importance of structured data in preparing for agentic AI Strategic partnerships with Viper, Coherent and

In this special edition of the InsTech podcast, Robin introduces listeners to new colleague Chris Eberly, Insurance Practice Lead at Datos Insights, following Datos’ recent acquisition of InsTech. Chris brings more than 30 years of carrier experience and a unique practitioner’s perspective on the forces shaping insurance today. Together they explore what this new chapter means for InsTech members, the wider insurance ecosystem, and why Datos’ blend of advisory, research and community makes a timely fit. Along the way, Chris shares why operational efficiency is top of the agenda, how underinsurance is being tackled, and why AI is no longer just hype but a genuine driver of transformation. This conversation is part industry briefing, part fireside chat. Listeners will come away with a clearer view of the challenges and opportunities ahead — from regulatory pressure to CIO priorities — and hear how InsTech and Datos plan to deliver value together. Robin also uncovers Chris’s surprising background outside insuran

What will the specialty insurance market look like a decade from now? Will we still be talking about legacy systems and manual processes, or will the model itself have changed? In this panel discussion from InsTech’s Outpace. Outprice. Outperform event, Robin Merttens leads a conversation with four senior experts on the future of the market and the forces that could reshape it. Featuring: Paul Carroll, Editor-in-Chief, Insurance Thought Leadership Toby Kovacs, Account Director, Google Cloud Andy Yeoman, CEO and Co-founder, Concirrus Tracie Thompson, Global Head of Strategic Clients, Cytora Together, they examine how emerging technologies, shifting client expectations and economic realities are pushing the market to rethink long-held assumptions about distribution, underwriting and talent. In this conversation, the panel explores: Whether brokers, underwriters and annual renewals will still have a role How capital and distribution are bypassing traditional intermediaries Why outsourcing is being redefined i

In this milestone edition of Partners Chat, Robin and Matthew sit down for their first episode since InsTech's transition to new ownership. With nearly 11 years of leadership behind them, they reflect candidly on founding and growing the business, navigating a sales process and what lies ahead under Datos Insights. Listeners will get rare insights into what it actually takes to sell a company: what they learned, what caught them off guard and how it’s changed their understanding of fundraising and Private Equity partnerships. This episode offers honest takeaways for any founders or leaders thinking ahead to their own exit. Robin and Matthew also tackle one of the most polarising trends in insurance tech today: Agentic AI. Is it a game-changer or just another label? They unpack how it's being adopted (quietly or loudly) across insurers, and why some businesses are embracing it at full throttle while others remain unconvinced. They also share what they’ve seen in the climate and catastrophe modelling space, whe

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-found

Insurers have had fair warning: the hard market is softening, and those still relying on legacy tech may soon feel the chill. So what does it take to stay competitive as conditions turn? In this episode, Robin Merttens is joined once again by Dani Katz, Co-founder and Director of Optalitix, for a sharp analysis of what’s changed since their last conversation and why now really is the time to fix the roof. Dani brings a clear message: the winners in this market cycle will be those with disciplined pricing, strong data infrastructure and the ability to move fast. And while AI is starting to play a role, it's the fundamentals (clean data, integrated platforms, empowered underwriters) that remain essential. In this conversation, Dani shares insights on: Why too many firms delayed digital upgrades during the boom The signs of market softening and what that means for pricing teams What “minimum viable tech” looks like in 2025 How underwriters can be brought on the journey, not left behind The difference between au

At its best, parametric insurance delivers clarity when volatility strikes. But scaling that promise takes more than models: it takes real claims data, market feedback and the ability to solve for both reinsurers’ confidence and cedents’ earnings risk. In this episode, Matthew Grant speaks with Matt Coleman, Chief Risk Officer at The Demex Group, a reinsurance MGA using a new modelled loss index to reshape how the market covers severe convective storms, one of the fastest-growing sources of weather-driven loss. Our conversation picks up where our previous webinar left off, and explores how Demex has grown distribution, secured broker support and validated its approach in a live risk environment. In this conversation Matt touches on: Why 2025 has already seen above-average tornado, wind and hail activity and how recoveries are already flowing How Demex’s RCR Re cover mimics indemnity but pays out on a modelled index Why omitting sensors and relying on robust weather and claims data reduces basis risk The adva

What does it take to rebuild after disaster as a business leader, a homeowner and a policyholder? Garret Gray has spent his career trying to improve how insurers and property owners respond to damage. As President of Insurance Solutions at Cotality (formerly CoreLogic) and founder of Next Gear Solutions, he’s been at the centre of building tools for claims, risk assessment and recovery. But this year, the conversation became personal. A wildfire tore through Garret’s neighbourhood in California, forcing an emergency evacuation and leaving his home heavily damaged. That experience has shaped the way he thinks about risk, resilience and the urgency of modernising the systems we rely on. In this episode, Matthew Grant speaks with Garret about what he’s learning, not just from running a technology platform, but from living through the very risks his business is built to address. Garret reflects on: What the industry often underestimates about “secondary” damage and long-tail claims Why speed not just coverage is

Why has claims innovation taken off in personal lines, but still lags behind in specialty? It’s a question that many in the market have asked and in this episode, a panel of senior experts set out to answer it. Hosted by Andrew Pedler, Vice President at Reserv, this special discussion brings together three experienced voices from across the claims and consulting landscape: Chris Payne (Partner, EY), Andy Stevenson (Consultant Director, PwC), and Patrick Hayward (Claims Lead, Altus Consulting). Together, they examine why some of the biggest efficiency gains in motor and home claims haven’t yet translated into specialty and what needs to change to unlock that value. In this conversation, the panel explores: Where personal lines have succeeded: distribution, automation,and data enrichment Why claims in specialty remain complex, fragmented and harder to automate The structural and cultural barriers to innovation including litigation risk and lack of direct customer engagement How changing expectations and regula