

InsTech - insurance & innovation with Matthew Grant & Robin Merttens
InsTech
Bringing together the best technology and innovation for insurance and risk management together from around the world. Podcast hosted by Matthew Grant.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 10, 2024 • 33min
Chris Temple & Christine Brogan: PwC: ESG - from ambition to action (293)
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 Survey
Hold your nerve to maintain momentum: our 2024 actions for sustainability leaders
Sustainability Reporting in 2024
Banana Skins Survey Report
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 Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme.
By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives:
Describe how generative AI can help implement ESG measures in insurance
Specify what is meant by ESG and its role in insurance
Summarise what companies can do to become Net Zero in the future
If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 293 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast.
To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Mar 3, 2024 • 22min
Tom Wilde, CEO: Indico Data: Better decisions with better data (292)
The podcast delves into the 'decision economy' and how Indico Data's generative AI solution is transforming decision-making in the insurance industry. Topics include the founding of Indico Data, navigating the AI hype cycle, the importance of generative AI as a language, the role of data in commercial insurance, and the company's entry into the UK market with some football anecdotes.

Feb 25, 2024 • 37min
Marty Smuin, CEO: Arturo: Protecting against assuming unsustainable risk (291)
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 reach out to book a demo here.
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 Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme.
By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives:
Describe the methods Arturo uses to make property intelligence more accurate to improve the claims process
Specify how changing climate and weather patterns have a direct effect on property analysis
Identify ways in which generative AI is developing and innovating property risk assessments
If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 291 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast.
To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Feb 18, 2024 • 26min
Tim Rayner, CEO: Verisk Specialty Business Solutions: Innovation in the London Market (290)
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, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme.
By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives:
Describe how the London Market operates and how it can subsequently modernise its processes
Explain what an acquisition is and why they are important for a company
Identify the opportunities for change in the specialty market
If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 290 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast.
To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Feb 11, 2024 • 38min
John Mullen, President and CRO: Guidewire: A view from the top (289)
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 Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme.
By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives:
Specify how community and collaboration can help generate innovation in insurance
Identify the ways insurance can develop and change in the future
Summarise the role of technology in insurance
If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 289 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast.
To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Feb 7, 2024 • 16min
Adrian Coupland, Head of Sales: Earnix: Agile pricing for a world of change (288)
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 InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme.
By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives:
Describe reasons for challenges in the motor insurance industry
Explain the role of technology in enabling business users to make pricing changes quickly.
Identify the impact of regulatory reforms on insurance pricing
If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 288 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast.
To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Feb 4, 2024 • 46min
January news - $73 million funding, ships, war and thunderstorms (287)
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 climate change
Cargo and geopolitics - how marine insurance is affected by political instability across the world
If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn.
In collaboration with Google Cloud, InsTech is hosting an event in New York. We are calling all US insurers, Brokers, and MGAs to join us and discuss the future of underwriting. Supported by Cytora, hyperexponential, Guidewire and Kroll, register now.
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, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme.
By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives:
Specify how insurance technology companies secure funding from investors and venture capital firms
Explain how insurance can help provide solutions for circumstantially difficult events
Identify how geopolitical crises can affect cargo and transportation
If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 287 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast.
To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Jan 28, 2024 • 26min
Sarah Woolliscroft & Wayne Calderbank: Synergy: Passionate about claims management (286)
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.
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, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme.
By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives:
Describe how technology continues to shape and improve the claims management process
Outline how generative AI can be leveraged to analyse customer sentiment
Identify the significance of measurable goals and shared passion within an organisation in achieving business targets
If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 286 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast.
To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Jan 21, 2024 • 42min
James Orchard, CEO: QBE Ventures: Driving strategic value through corporate ventures (285)
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 as hearing about QBE Venures, Matthew and James touch on innovation from Cytora, Sixfold, CGG, GeoSmart Information, Tensorflight, Geosite, Beazley, Chaucer, Tokio Marine, hyperexponential, The Demex Group, and Clara Analytics.
To listen to Cytora's podcast with Andrew Horton, QBE Insurance's Group CEO, click here.
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, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme.
By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives:
Specify the potential developments and challenges the insurtech community will face in 2024
Define what resilience can mean to a company from a strategic perspective, and how investors can help support this
Identify what traits an investor looks for in a company
If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 285 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co to let us know you have listened to this podcast.
To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Jan 14, 2024 • 35min
Garrett Koehn, CRC Brokerage & Gordon Wintrob, Newfront: Brokers using generative AI today (284)
Garrett Koehn, President of CRC Brokerage and AI enthusiast, and Gordon Wintrob, Co-founder and CTO of Newfront, share insights on the integration of generative AI in insurance brokerage. They discuss real-world applications, like using AI to streamline submissions and improve client interactions. The duo explores how AI can enhance underwriting and identify coverage gaps, while also examining the vital build vs. buy decisions for tech solutions. They emphasize the need for brokers to adapt, empowering professionals to thrive in an evolving landscape.