The Insurindex Podcast

In this episode of The Insurindex Podcast, host Ben Bolton, MD of Gracechurch, is joined by Mike Bottle, Managing Director of Arch Insurance UK, and Janice Mullan, Regional Manager South & Thames Valley.The conversation explores how Arch has built a fast-growing UK regional insurance business by combining London Market underwriting expertise with strong local broker relationships.Mike and Jan discuss the importance of accessibility, empowered underwriters and local trading in a market increasingly shaped by automation, digitalisation and AI. They also reflect on the role of claims, talent development and apprenticeships in building long-term trust with brokers and customers.

In this episode of The Insurindex Podcast, host Ben Bolton, MD of Gracechurch, is joined by Simon Doggett, Design and Product Lead at Ki Insurance, the world’s first fully digital follow-only syndicate at Lloyd’s. The conversation explores how design thinking, digital product development and algorithmic underwriting are reshaping the broker experience, and what the London Market must do to attract technology talent and remain competitive in the age of AI.

In this episode of The Insurindex Podcast, host Ben Bolton is joined by Georgina Peters-Venzano, Chief Marketing Officer at Beazley, to explore how one of the most distinctive brands in insurance has been built and sustained. The conversation examines brand authenticity, creativity in a conservative market, and why long-term brand thinking matters more than ever for growth, talent and trust in specialty insurance.

In this episode of The Insurindex Podcast, host Ben Bolton is joined by Henry Nelson, Chief Underwriting Officer – UK & MENA, and Zara Ismail, Global Head of Client & Broker Distribution – Claims at Liberty Specialty Markets. The discussion explores the central role of claims in today’s insurance value proposition, from pre-loss engagement and risk mitigation through to post-loss response and long-term partnership. Ben, Henry and Zara examine how evolving risks, technology and data are reshaping claims, why service and responsiveness are now essential, and how claims teams are increasingly influencing renewal, reputation and growth. The conversation also touches on talent, culture, AI and the continued importance of empathy in an increasingly complex market.

In this episode of The Insurindex Podcast, our host, Ben Bolton, sits down with Andrew Gibbons (‘the lad from Bolton’), Managing Director of Mason Owen Financial Services, ahead of the BIBA 2025 Conference where Andrew is chairing a discussion at the conference about partnering to deliver successful claims outcomes. Within the framework of the five key pillars that claims underpins, namely Trust, Reputation, Regulatory Impact, Consumer Scrutiny and Customer Value, the discussion highlights the positive improvements in claims service in recent years whilst also recognising that much more can be done to show the value of insurance through the claims lens. In this wide ranging discussion Ben and Andrew also touch both on the dual edge sword of technology, and on the vital importance of talent development and the importance of claims to brokers' commercial success. Andrew also sings the praises of the annual BIBA Conference and its Manchester take over!

In this episode of The Insurindex Podcast, our host, Ben Bolton, sits down with Jon Lombardo, former Head of LinkedIn’s B2B Institute and the co-founder of Evidenza, to delve into Lombardo’s journey from Hartford, Connecticut, the ‘home of Insurance’, to his current work in synthetic research. From the 95-5 rule to distinctive assets and synthetic research, this insightful, fast-paced and often witty discussion considers the power of brand strategy, AI and the future of B2B marketing. 

In this episode of The Insurindex Podcast, our host, David Melvin, sits down with David Morris, Director of Underwriting at IQUW, to delve into how IQUW achieved the 2025 Gracechurch Underwriting Service Quality Marque. During the insightful discussion, Morris highlighted the company's innovative and technological approaches, while ensuring that the customer remains at the center of everything they do.

In this episode of The Insurindex Podcast, our host, David Melvin, sits down with David Casement and Tom Reynolds to explore how branding has played a key role in the development of a med-mal MGA. This episode inquires into the MDU brand, how they effectively established trust, its brand evolution, and how it became recognised as a key player within the medical indemnity insurance space.

In this episode of The Insurindex Podcast, our host, David Melvin, sits down with Mark Wheeler and Rosemary Jones to explore how branding has influenced Mosaic's emergence as a challenger in the (re)insurance market. The podcast delves into Mosaic's distinct brand identity, emphasising the integration of claims and underwriting to build transparency and customer loyalty.

In our debut episode, our host Insurindex Managing Director David Melvin, dives into the London specialty market with Ben Bolton, Managing Director of Gracechurch, and Julian Steedman, Chairman and Managing Director of the Brandex Group. They explore the essence of brand in this unique market and unpack why it plays such a critical role in shaping perceptions, fostering relationships, and driving business outcomes.