InsTech - insurance & innovation with Matthew Grant & Robin Merttens

Andy Yeoman, Founder & CEO: Concirrus: Bringing the joy back to underwriting (389)

In this episode, Robin Merttens is joined by Andy Yeoman, CEO of Concirrus, to unpack how a key player in marine insurance tech has reinvented itself as a core platform provider for the specialty market, and what that transformation says about where the industry is heading. 

Andy shares the thinking behind Concirrus’ pivot from ship tracking to full risk lifecycle processing, what it takes to build end-to-end technology in just 18 months, and why underwriters, not just CTOs, are now leading the charge on system change. 

In this conversation, Andy shares: 

• Why marine was just the beginning and why modern platforms must serve multiple lines with depth, not just breadth 
• What today’s insurers really want from core systems: speed, interoperability and business outcomes 
• How Concirrus became an AI-first company and what that’s meant for product delivery, talent and culture 
• The rise of the tech-fuelled MGA and why they’re now the “risk entrepreneurs” to watch 
• How verticalised platforms are winning over underwriters by solving for class-specific nuance 
• What the shift from admin-heavy roles to empowered underwriting means for job satisfaction and talent retention 
• Why managing change is as important as building tech and what Concirrus learned from its own internal AI adoption 
• What’s next for insurance infrastructure as constraints fall away and innovation accelerates

If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Robin Merttens on LinkedIn. 

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David Wood, JBA Risk Management & Jochen Papenbrock, NVIDIA: Showing the world how to revolutionise modelling (388)

How can AI weather models improve the accuracy and scale of catastrophe modelling?

Matthew Grant is joined by David Wood, Managing Director at JBA Risk Management, and Jochen Papenbrock, Head of Financial Technology (EMEA) at NVIDIA, to explore how accelerated computing is unlocking new ways to simulate and manage flood risk.

JBA has long been a pioneer in flood modelling, while NVIDIA’s GPU technology has helped drive the recent breakthroughs in AI and generative modelling. Together, they discuss how high-resolution simulations, new ensemble methods and open-source tools are pushing the limits of what’s possible in climate and catastrophe analytics.

Key Talking Points:

• The early bet – how JBA’s adoption of GPU computing over a decade ago made national-scale flood mapping possible
• From gaming to GenAI – how NVIDIA's evolution from graphics to AI led to the development of physics-informed weather models
• Ensemble power – why running 1,000+ simulations helps capture more extremes than the historic record ever could
• Event sets reimagined – how AI models are enabling richer, more diverse flood scenarios for Europe and beyond
• Real-time relevance – the potential to use AI models to simulate how a flood might unfold, as it’s happening
• Making AI usable – how Earth-2 Studio and open-source frameworks are opening up generative models to catastrophe modellers
• Proving value – how NVIDIA and JBA worked together to quantify the benefits of faster, more flexible modelling approaches
• Looking ahead – why cross-sector collaboration will be essential to turn acceleration into real-world impact

If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. 

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Where is the industry today? - a view from the C-suite (387)

In this episode, Robin Merttens is joined by Dr Thomas Kuhnt (HDI Global SE), Ed Ackerman (Qover) and Vincent De Ponthaud (AXA) for a rare C-suite perspective on Agentic AI — what it is, how it's being deployed and why senior leaders are walking a tightrope between bold innovation and operational risk.

Agentic AI promises transformative value, but for decision-makers at the top, it also brings real uncertainty. What do you build vs. buy? How do you prove ROI? And how do you prevent over-trusting agents that are inherently probabilistic?

In this conversation, Thomas, Ed and Vincent share:

• Why Agentic AI is different from past tech trends and why this one feels real
• The cultural and leadership challenge of balancing excitement with governance
• How AXA and HDI are enabling safe experimentation at scale across complex organisations
• How Qover is building 20+ AI agents to automate claims micro-tasks — and when they build vs. buy
• What customers really think about AI agents  and why nearly none opt out
• The risks of shadow AI and why IT needs to move faster than ever
• Why “human in the loop” is flawed and how user trust in AI could become a blind spot
• What’s missing: industry standards, agent evaluation tools and new roles like “agent managers”
• The case for cautious iteration, deep collaboration and constant re-evaluation

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How insurers can better evaluate cat models in a multi-vendor world (386)

In this episode, Claire Souch is joined by Tom Philp, CEO of Maximum Information; James Lay, AVP of Product Management at Verisk; and Stephen Martin, Head of Catastrophe Modelling at Westfield Specialty, for a timely discussion on the future of catastrophe model evaluation, and why it's no longer enough to simply trust what’s in the black box.

As new specialist model vendors emerge and market expectations evolve, the panel unpacks a growing demand for transparency, interoperability and smarter ways to adopt models that fit real-world portfolios. At the heart of the conversation is a shared belief: the industry doesn’t just need more models, it needs better ways to evaluate and use them.

In this conversation, they explore:

• Why traditional model validation no longer meets the needs of modern risk teams
• The shift from 'black box' outputs to meaningful model evaluation that supports business decisions
• How tools from Maximum Information and Verisk’s Model Exchange reduce the burden on small or lean teams
• The role of Oasis as a framework for opening up access across multiple model vendors
• Why standardisation and open data formats are essential for meaningful interoperability
• The growing role of niche vendors in reshaping perceptions of model transparency
• How automation is changing the regulatory and investor reporting game
• Why this is more than a tech upgrade—it's a cultural reset in catastrophe modelling

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The rise of niche model vendors (385)

In this episode, Brian Owens is joined by Dana Foley (Head of Catastrophe Research at Chaucer), Joss Matthewman (Chief Revenue Officer at Reask) and Olivia Sloan (Head of Catastrophe Products at Fathom) to explore the growing influence of specialist model vendors in catastrophe risk modelling and why they’re anything but “niche”.

With decades of combined experience across underwriting, model development and scientific research, the panel discusses how climate change, regulatory pressure and the need for portfolio-specific insight are pushing insurers to reconsider single-platform dependency. They explore how new vendors are filling gaps left by traditional models offering science-led, transparent and highly customisable solutions tailored to specific business needs.

Drawing on their respective roles across the risk ecosystem, the panellists explain why the return to multi-modelling is gaining momentum and how platforms like Oasis are helping democratise access to emerging tools.

In this conversation, the panel explores:

• Why “niche” models are proving critical in underserved perils, regions and use cases
• The evolution from black-box outputs to transparent, collaborative frameworks
• How science-first models enable faster innovation and user-driven risk views
• What’s enabling and blocking wider adoption of multi-modelling approaches
• How Fathom and Reask are using AI and machine learning to improve model fidelity
• Why regulatory scrutiny and climate change demand a more agile modelling approach
• The role of open platforms like Oasis in supporting innovation and vendor access
• What insurers need to consider when building a tailored, future-ready modelling strategy

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Jack Miller, Co-founder & CEO: nettle: Reinventing risk engineering with AI (384)

Introduction

In this episode, Robin Merttens is joined by Jack Miller, CEO and Co-founder of nettle, to explore how generative AI is being applied to one of insurance’s most complex and resource-constrained challenges: risk engineering. Jack shares how his work at McKinsey, leading AI transformations for insurers, exposed him to the inefficiencies in assessing commercial property risks and how that inspired Nettle’s founding.

From mass retirements of risk engineers to the reality that most properties are never physically assessed, Jack outlines why the status quo is unsustainable and how AI can help underwriters make faster, more informed decisions without sacrificing depth or judgement. He explains how nettle is already working with insurers like Allianz to roll out configurable, production-ready tools that reduce manual burden, unlock previously inaccessible insights and integrate directly into existing underwriting platforms.

In this conversation, Jack shares:

• Why risk engineering is facing a capacity crunch and how that affects underwriting quality
• The surprising statistic that sparked nettle’s creation: 97.5% of properties are never visited
• How generative AI can enhance, not replace, expert judgement in high-value underwriting
• Why depth, not breadth, is the key to building meaningful AI solutions in insurance
• Lessons from building a product insurers can implement in weeks not years
• The importance of involving underwriters in AI adoption from day one
• What most insurers get wrong about pilots, procurement and “proper” GenAI strategies
• How nettle’s partnership with Allianz helped shape a scalable, enterprise-ready product
• Why commercial P&C is the perfect proving ground for next-generation InsurTech

If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Jack Miller or Robin Merttens on LinkedIn.

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Richard Gunn, President & CRO: hyperexponential: What it takes to scale insurtech across markets (383)

In this episode, Richard Gunn, President & CRO at hyperexponential, joins host Matthew Grant to share the inside story of hyperexponential's expansion journey from the UK to the US, and how the company is reshaping pricing and underwriting in the insurance sector.

Richard reflects on seven years at hyperexponential, starting as the first non-engineering hire to now leading a fast-growing US team in New York. He explains how hyperexponential has evolved from a pricing platform into a broader decision infrastructure provider, with tools spanning triage, portfolio intelligence and AI-powered underwriting support.

In this conversation, Richard shares:

• Why hx's "pro-code" platform sits between build vs buy, offering flexibility without compromising enterprise-grade credibility
• How the team landed major US clients before even setting up a US office
• The strategic lessons behind building trust with US insurers, from culture to communication
• The practical impact of generative AI and "vibe coding" in hx's product development and internal operations
• Why hx believes AI isn't about replacing roles but redrawing their boundaries to boost effectiveness
• What it's like to move across the Atlantic with a young family while scaling a tech business
• How New York's transient tech culture supports rapid networking and hiring
• His predictions on shifting insurer priorities from growth to profitability

Resources & Mentions:

• AI Daily Brief (podcast recommendation)
• Book: Papillon by Henri Charrière
• Previous guests: Amrit (hyperexponential Co-founder & CEO), Marcus Ryu (Co-founder and Chairman at Guidewire and Partner at Battery Ventures)

If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Richard Gunn or Matthew Grant on LinkedIn.

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Tim Hardcastle, CEO & Co-founder: INSTANDA: What it really takes to change insurance from the inside out (382)

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 shaped both leadership style and product design
• What it means to lead through survival, scale and reinvention
• His view on legacy, moonshot AI and the importance of letting go
• What’s fuelling his passion ten years in and where the next decade might lead

This one is part retrospective, part roadmap and full of insight for anyone thinking long-term about change in insurance.

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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 early challenges of launching a no-code insurance platform in a sceptical market.
• Explain how belief, architecture and timing contributed to INSTANDA’s success and scalability.
• Define the role of humility in effective insurtech leadership and product design.

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 382 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.

Haris Khan & Arved Pohlabeln: Novee: Redesigning underwriting for the specialty market (381)

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 meaningful value
• The real-world impact of extracting information from unstructured submissions
• How they raised £1.6 million in seed funding and what they’re doing with it
• Why verticalised AI is outperforming generic solutions in insurance
• What it means to redesign underwriting interaction patterns — and why inbox to insight is the future
• The case for using AI before you fix your data, not after

Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.

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 real-world challenges underwriters face when working with inconsistent, unstructured submissions.
• Define the concept of verticalised AI in the context of specialty underwriting and how it differs from generic AI solutions.
• List the specific ways Novee supports underwriters through both insight delivery and task automation.

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 381 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.

Jonathan Rake, CEO, Risk Data Solutions: Swiss Re: The case for certainty and real-time insight in insurance (380)

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 pace with change
• A bold prediction for 2026 — and the book he recommends to anyone interested in adventure, risk and innovation 'A Voyage for Madmen' by Peter Nichols

If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Jonathan Rake or Matthew Grant on LinkedIn.

Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.

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 tools and workflows that allow insurers to consume insights directly within underwriting platforms.
• Measure the business case for embedding analytics in risk workflows versus maintaining separate data functions.
• Produce a clearer understanding of how large insurers are operationalising resilience through data, modelling and partnerships.

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 380 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.