The Underwriting Intelligence Podcast

In this episode of The Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Scott Stephenson, former Chairman, President and CEO of Verisk, and currently Chairman to One Inc. to explore what it really takes to build enduring data and analytics businesses in insurance and why the rules of competitive advantage are rapidly changing in the age of AI.Drawing on more than two decades leading one of the world’s most influential insurance data companies, Scott shares a masterclass on data moats, trust, vertical software, and the new pace of technology innovation. From the realities of assembling proprietary datasets to the future of insurtech competition, the conversation dives deep into how insurers and technology companies should rethink strategy in a world where software creation is becoming dramatically faster and cheaper.In this episode, Amrit and Scott dive into:Why the strongest data moats are built over decades, not overnightHow Verisk earned the trust required to steward highly sensitive insurance dataWhy proprietary data has become harder to assemble in today’s marketThe strategic implications of AI on vertical SaaS and insurtech competitionWhy insurers increasingly buy outcomes rather than isolated “point solutions”Why companies must “re-underwrite” the pace at which they operate in an AI-driven worldWhether you’re an insurer, founder, investor, or technology leader, this episode offers a sharp and deeply practical perspective on the future of insurance technology and what it takes to build lasting competitive advantage in a rapidly changing market.

In this episode of The Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with James Orchard, CEO of QBE Ventures, to explore how insurance investments in technology can really work, and why most approaches fall short.Drawing on his journey from private equity into corporate strategy and ultimately leading the venture arm of one of the world’s leading insurers, James shares a candid perspective on what it really takes to build meaningful partnerships between insurers and startups. At the heart of the conversation is alignment; how successful innovation isn’t driven by investment alone, but by deeply understanding business problems and working backwards from them.In this episode, Amrit and James dive into:Why there is no “playbook” for insurance technology investing and why copying other industries doesn’t workThe importance of emotional intelligence over traditional credentials when building investment teamsHow QBE Ventures avoids “spray and pray” investing in favour of fewer, deeper strategic partnershipsWhy most insurers struggle to scale technology and how to remove friction from experimentationHow to align startups and underwriters by building trust, empathy, and shared incentivesWhat the rise of AI means for insurance transformation and why traditional approaches may no longer applyWhether you’re an underwriter, founder, investor, or insurance leader, this episode offers a practical and refreshingly honest look at how innovation actually happens and how to make it work in a complex, evolving market.

In this special episode of The Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Mark Geoghegan, founder of The Voice of Insurance podcast, to explore the intersection of journalism, insurance, and how the industry really works beneath the surface.Drawing on his unique journey from Spanish-speaking broker to leading insurance journalist, Mark shares how he “accidentally” found his way into the industry before ultimately building one of its most trusted media voices. At the heart of the conversation is perspective; how stepping away from the day-to-day grind of underwriting and broking reveals the bigger picture of how the market functions, evolves, and occasionally breaks.In this episode, Amrit and Mark dive into:How Mark transitioned from insurance into journalism and why he ultimately came back to cover the industryThe difference between working in the market versus observing it from aboveWhat makes great insurance journalism, and why trust and human relationships still sit at its coreWhy podcasts and new media formats are reshaping how insight and intelligence are shared across the marketWhether you’re an underwriter, broker, insurance executive, or simply curious about the forces shaping the industry, this episode offers a candid, wide-angle view of insurance through the eyes of someone who has spent decades asking the questions others don’t.

In this episode of The Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Gilbert Harrap, Co-Founder and CEO of InsurX, to explore how technology is reshaping the way insurance risk is traded; from slow, manual processes to a future of real-time, data-driven decision making.Drawing on his journey from frustrated underwriter to insurtech founder, Gilbert shares the origin story behind InsurX and the structural inefficiencies that inspired it. At the heart of the conversation is the evolution from “slow follow” to “smart follow,” and ultimately toward a broader vision of “smart trading,” where brokers and insurers can seamlessly connect, match, and transact risk using structured data and algorithmic insights.In this episode, Amrit and Gilbert dive into:Why the traditional “follow” model in insurance has been so inefficient, and how smart follow is transforming itHow AI and data structuring are unlocking value from unstructured submissionsThe tangible benefits for brokers and insurers, from faster placement times to improved underwriting performance and lower expense ratiosHow freeing up time and capacity could lead to better products, increased market capacity, and solutions to underinsuranceWhether you’re an underwriter, broker, insurance executive, or building in insurtech, this episode offers a forward-looking perspective on how data, technology, and smarter workflows are unlocking a more efficient and dynamic insurance market.

In this episode of The Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Andrew McMellin, President of Markel International, to explore how underwriting is evolving in an increasingly data-rich, technology-enabled world.Drawing on nearly four decades across the insurance ecosystem, from broking and underwriting, to leadership roles in both the London Market and the US, Andrew shares a candid perspective on the changing craft of underwriting. At the centre of the conversation is the increasingly well-accepted belief that the best underwriters don’t just assess individual risks, they manage portfolios. As data, analytics, and AI tools become more embedded in the underwriting workflow, the real opportunity lies in using technology to augment judgment rather than replace it.In this episode, Amrit and Andrew dive into:Why modern underwriting requires a portfolio mindset, not just individual risk selectionHow data and technical pricing can support better decisions without undermining underwriting expertiseThe practical ways AI is already improving underwriting productivity, from document analysis to proactive client outreachThe growing importance of intangible risks and what they mean for the future of insurance products and marketsWhether you’re an underwriting leader, insurance executive, actuary, or insurtech builder, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how the underwriting profession is evolving; blending experience, data, and technology to navigate a world of increasing uncertainty.

In this episode of The Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Ben Gower, Partner at Elixirr, to unpack why so many insurance transformations fail and what it actually takes to make them succeed in the age of AI.Drawing on his journey from one of the Big Four to helping build a challenger consultancy, Ben offers a refreshingly candid perspective on extractive consulting models, misaligned incentives, and the cultural blind spots that derail even the best-funded transformation programmes. At the heart of the discussion is a powerful idea: actions are downstream of mindset and without addressing how people think about change, no amount of technology will deliver results.In this episode, Amrit and Ben dive into:Why traditional consulting incentives often undermine long-term client outcomesThe real reasons digital and AI transformations fail in insuranceWhy mindset change must come before behaviour, tooling, or operating modelsHow insurers can move away from five-year transformation fantasies toward shorter, value-driven horizonsWhat it means to “eat your own cooking” when deploying AI internallyHow to build genuine partnerships between insurers, consultancies, and insurtechsWhether you’re an insurance executive, underwriting leader, consultant, or insurtech founder, this episode offers a grounded, experience-led view on transformation, cutting through the hype to focus on culture, incentives, and practical delivery in a rapidly changing industry.

In this episode of The Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Ben Laidlaw, Managing Director at Carbon Underwriting, to explore how a tech-first approach, data-driven decision making, and a career growth centred culture are redefining delegated authority underwriting in the Lloyd’s market.Ben shares insights from his journey building Carbon from an MGU startup to a full Syndicate, and how the company’s proprietary Graphene platform empowers underwriters, quants, and technologists to work together seamlessly. He explains why early investment in technology, hiring outside-the-industry talent, and embedding data into everyday workflows have been critical to scaling Carbon while maintaining agility, culture, and innovation.In this episode, Amrit and Ben dive into:How Carbon combined underwriting expertise with a tech-first mindset to build GrapheneThe challenge of bridging technical and underwriting teams, and why culture drives adoptionHiring strategies for hybrid talent and creating a “21st century underwriting grad scheme”How data, platforms, and people intersect to drive better decisions, partner relationships, and long-term growthWhether you’re an insurance executive, insurtech founder, or tech leader in financial services, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at building a modern, data-driven, and people-centred insurance business that balances innovation, scale, and operational excellence.

In this episode of the Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Nigel Walsh, Global Head of Insurance at ServiceNow, to explore the evolving role of technology, AI, and workflows in the insurance industry, and why orchestration, focus, and execution matter more than hype.With deep experience spanning consulting, Big Tech, and enterprise software, Nigel brings a unique perspective from both sides of the table. He has led large-scale insurance transformations at Deloitte and Capgemini, guided insurers through cloud and AI adoption at Google, and now helps organisations leverage ServiceNow’s platform to modernise complex workflows, orchestrate systems, and unlock real business value.In this episode, Amrit and Nigel dive into:What a workbench is todayHow insurers can balance software flexibility with operational realities, and when to orchestrate versus build from scratchLessons from big tech on experimentation, risk-taking, and fostering innovation at scale in highly regulated industriesThe evolution from AI experimentation to focused, workflow-driven adoption, and the future of AI agents as part of teamsThe enduring challenge of designing workflows that respect the complexity, heterogeneity, and evolving nature of insuranceWhether you’re an insurance executive, insurtech founder, enterprise software leader, or investor navigating AI and transformation, this conversation offers a grounded, experience-led perspective on how technology, workflows, and culture combine to deliver real impact in the insurance industry.

In this episode of the Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Robby Allen, Principal at Vertical Scale and former CRO of AgentSync, to unpack what it really takes to sell, scale, and deliver technology in the insurance industry and why execution, trust, and long-term thinking matter more than hype.With deep experience from within an insurtech unicorn, and now as an advisor to carriers, insurtechs, and venture-backed vertical software companies, Robby brings a rare perspective from both sides of the table. He works closely with leadership teams on distribution, underwriting innovation, AI adoption, and more, with a particular focus on the people, culture, and operating realities of highly regulated markets.In this episode, Amrit and Robby dive into:How insurers are moving from AI experimentation to tangible value, and what’s actually working todayLessons learned from selling enterprise software into insurance, including why empathy and alignment are critical to successWhy playing the long game is essential for vendors selling into industries that think in decades, not quartersThe rise of forward-deployed engineers, pilots, and proof-of-value in the AI era; and what buyers should now expect from vendorsThe enduring power of vertical software in insurance, and why deep domain focus beats horizontal generalisation in regulated marketsWhether you’re an insurance executive, insurtech founder, enterprise software leader, or investor navigating AI and transformation in regulated industries, this conversation offers a grounded, experience-led perspective on how real progress happens and how to avoid the traps along the way.

In this episode of the Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Jerad Leigh, CEO and Co-founder of Supercede, to explore the realities of modern reinsurance, building trust in technology, and how AI is reshaping workflows without replacing the human relationships that drive the market.With nearly a decade of hands-on reinsurance experience before founding Supercede, Jerad brings a rare combination of traditional industry insight and tech-driven vision. At Supercede, he works to digitize the reinsurance placement process, helping cedants, brokers, and reinsurers connect, share data securely, and make faster, smarter decisions.In this episode, Amrit and Jerad dive into:Why trust remains the cornerstone of reinsurance and how technology can enhance, rather than replace, human relationshipsThe challenges of building multi-party platforms in a highly sensitive industry and lessons from scaling Supercede’s networkThe evolving role of AI in enterprise workflows, and how thoughtful delegation can improve productivity and decision-makingWhether you’re a reinsurer, broker, technology provider, or simply curious about how AI and trust intersect in high-stakes, relationship-driven markets, this conversation offers a candid, practical look at what works, what doesn’t, and what’s coming next.

In this episode of the Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Owen Whelan, Managing Director at Calibrant, to unpack the realities of delegated underwriting today and what it really takes for MGAs and carriers to build sustainable, data-driven, high-performance partnerships.With decades of experience across actuarial, underwriting, and technology-led transformation, Owen brings a rare multi-stakeholder perspective. At Calibrant, he helps both carriers and MGAs modernize their delegated portfolios, improve data flows, sharpen underwriting performance, and create contractual structures that actually align interests.In this episode, Amrit and Owen dive into:Why data remains the biggest barrier to effective MGA oversight and how to break out of the spreadsheet-and-email trapThe shift from broker-led to underwriter-led MGAs, and what that means for profitability, governance, and market behaviourHow to design MGA systems and workflows with principles to avoid long-term operational debtWhat softening markets reveal about incentives, commissions, and underwriting discipline in delegated portfolios.How carriers and MGAs can build long-term, multi-year partnerships with clear expectations, reciprocal accountability, and smarter contractsWhether you're an MGA founder, a carrier underwriting leader, or simply curious about the future of delegated authority, this conversation offers a candid, practical look at what works, what doesn’t, and what’s coming next.

In this episode of the Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Karen Dayal, Chief Underwriting Officer for Commercial Lines at Aviva UK and Ireland, to explore how data, technology, and human judgment are transforming commercial underwriting.Karen brings over 20 years of experience as a pricing actuary and a track record of driving data-led, technology-enabled underwriting transformation. At Aviva, she’s championing initiatives like next-generation pricing platforms, renewable portfolio growth, and embedding DEI principles into core operations.In this episode, Amrit and Karen dive into:How combining human intuition with advanced data analytics is reshaping underwriting decisions.Strategies for building trust between actuarial and underwriting teams to drive better outcomes.Lessons from crossing the actuarial–underwriting divide and developing future-ready underwriting leaders.Practical tips for implementing change and driving adoption of new tools in large organizations.The role of cyber risk, climate change, and ESG considerations in shaping modern underwriting.

In this episode of the Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with James Slaughter, Chief Underwriting Officer at Apollo, to explore the cutting edge of underwriting, AI, and leadership.James is a market veteran with decades of experience, but he’s far from a traditionalist. At Apollo, he’s driving innovation across technology, operations, and strategy- building on initiatives like their groundbreaking ibott platform.In this episode, Amrit and James dive into:How starting small and aiming for quick wins can build trust before scaling AI initiatives.Why robust data infrastructure is the foundation for successful AI adoption.How augmented underwriting empowers underwriters to enhance their work rather than replace them.Insights into the future of underwriting: predictive, collaborative, and fast-moving.