The Voice of Insurance Ep273 Andrew Robinson Skyward Specialty & David Ibeson Apollo: So many opportunities, we have to filter them
Oct 21, 2025
In this lively discussion, Andrew Robinson, CEO of Skyward Specialty, and David Ibeson, CEO of Apollo Underwriting, dive into the recent acquisition of Apollo by Skyward. They share insights on the cultural fit that motivated the friendly sale, emphasizing long-term benefits for stakeholders. The duo explores innovative hybrid capital models, upcoming distribution opportunities, and how AI can enhance underwriting and claims. Their infectious energy highlights the synergy between their companies, promising a bright future in the Lloyd's market.
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Acquisition Built On Partnership
- Skyward's acquisition of Apollo grew from multi-year collaboration and shared strategic fits rather than an active auction process.
- Andrew frames the deal as a way to access Lloyd's via complementary capabilities and to strengthen Skyward's US-Lloyd's presence.
Friendly Sale Over Auction
- Apollo chose a friendly sale to Skyward because of cultural fit and aligned business ethos rather than running an auction.
- David saw Skyward as a partner that appreciated Apollo's model and removed refinancing uncertainty from private equity timelines.
Use Complementary Capabilities Fast
- Leverage complementary tech and talent to scale new products across regions, for example AI liability coverages and US distribution.
- Rebrand unused statutory entities and align capital approaches to deploy solutions faster.