Insurtech UK Launches New Advisory Panel to Strengthen UK Insurtech Sector

Insurtech UK has launched a new Advisory Panel convening senior leaders from across the insurance industry to progress strategic priorities for the future growth of UK insurtech. As insurtech matures, the new Advisory Panel represents the next step in this important undertaking that was first initiated by Tech Nation’s Insurtech Board and established by HM Treasury. Building on these strong foundations, the new Advisory Panel integrates the ambitions of this previous Insurtech Board into the core aims of Insurtech UK - to make the UK a global leader for insurtech innovation - and strengthens the collective voice of the insurtech community. Working together to address industry challenges and to amplify opportunities, the Advisory Panel will define and deliver projects in key areas that will have the greatest impact on the insurtech sector’s ongoing development. The Panel’s programme of work includes:

• Partnerships: promoting productive pilots and partnerships between insurtechs and insurers, including hosting a dedicated Partnerships Day to bring both sides together, and compiling a Directory of insurer and broker Innovation leads
• Access to Finance: encouraging increased investment into UK insurtech start-ups and scale-ups, through greater education and visibility on the investment opportunities insurtech presents, and engaging with future funding channels so they are accessible and appropriate for insurtechs to benefit
• Access to Capacity: exploring available capacity for innovation within the UK insurance market, to understand market pressures and opportunities, to identify barriers to issuing new or expanded capacity, and connecting potential providers with new, innovative products
• Access to Talent: securing and strengthening insurtech sector skills, expertise and experience through encouraging new entrants to the sector, and increasing knowledge exchange between insurtech and insurance professionals
• Scaling beyond the UK: supporting UK insurtechs to realise their international ambitions through providing informative, up-to-date briefings on priority jurisdictions and opportunities for building expert contacts in new markets

Panel Members include:

• Graham Davis, Head of Propositions & Distribution Intelligence, Ageas
• Suzanne Lawson, Aviva Ventures Partnerships Manager, Aviva
• Blake Redrup, Strategy consultant Aon Inpoint, Aon
• Phil Evans, Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives & Innovation, Applied Systems
• Ed Gaze, CEO and co-founder, Innovative Risk Labs
• Melissa Collett, CEO, Insurtech UK
• John Warburton, Co-founder, Konsileo
• Tobias Taupitz, CEO and co-founder, Laka
• Rosie Denée, Lloyd’s Lab Accelerator, Lloyd’s
• Leda Zaharieva, Partner Insurance Private Equity, McKinsey
• Eloise Morgan, Director of UK FI, Paragon
• Louise Birritteri, CEO and founder, Pikl
• James Orchard, CEO, QBE Ventures
• Peta Kilian, UK Head of Strategy and Partnerships, QBE Ventures
• Goncalo de Vasconcelos, CEO and founder, Rnwl
• Ruta Mikiskaite, Head of Client Solutions P&C (UK&I), Swiss Re
• Rob Onoufriou, Head of Client Solutions L&H (UK&I), Swiss Re

The Panel will be supported by Victoria Roberts, who previously directed Tech Nation’s Insurtech Board sponsored by HM Treasury. To hear more about upcoming projects, explore potential collaborations, or enquire about joining the Panel, please contact secretariat@insurtechuk.org Melissa Collett, CEO Insurtech UK, said: “I’m delighted Insurtech UK can serve as an accelerant for leading institutions to work with scaling firms on a mission to drive insurance innovation forward further and faster. Alongside our recent Roadmap of policy recommendations for the new government to support the sector, the Panel demonstrates how industry itself is showing proactive leadership in its approach to advancing insurtech. The Advisory Panel’s key themes - from partnerships and capacity, to finance, skills and scaling - are all essential to unlocking future insurtech growth across the UK.” Jon Warburton, Co-Chair Insurtech UK & CEO Konsileo, said: “UK insurtech has come a long way from the early days of Tech Nation championing a nascent sector with the backing of HM Treasury. The industry has grown to support 60,000 jobs across the UK, and the UK has produced more insurtech unicorns than the rest of Europe combined. Given the pivotal role of Insurtech UK in convening insurtechs and insurers, I’m excited to see how the new Advisory Panel of senior leaders from across the ecosystem can spur on the next phase of insurtech success.” Tobias Taupitz, CEO & Co-Founder Laka, said: "Building a thriving insurance ecosystem in the UK means bringing together a wide range of insights and experiences. The UK market is full of knowledge and perspectives, and I'm excited to see this panel spark conversations here at home and on the international stage." Suzanne Lawson, Aviva Ventures Partnerships Manager, said: “I am delighted to represent Aviva on the Advisory Panel and am looking forward to using the collective energy of the members to scale-up and improve partnerships between insurtech founders and large corporates. Developing these strong links with the start-up eco-system will enable greater exploration of new tech, new markets, new products and new customer groups.” Rosie Denée, Head of Innovation and the Academy, Lloyd’s said: “The Lloyd’s Lab recognises and remains committed to the pivotal role InsurTech plays in accelerating innovation and transforming our industry. I am thrilled to join the InsurTech UK Advisory Panel, where I look forward to driving forward exciting and impactful solutions to facilitate and support a more dynamic insurance landscape.” Eloise Morgan, Director of UK FI, Paragon Brokers said: “I am delighted to be a part of this fantastic collective who share the same passion and commitment to redefine the insurance landscape and remove barriers that accelerate innovation. I am looking forward to working with my fellow panel members to help drive Insurtech UK mission of making the UK a global leader for Insurtech innovation.” Phil Evans, Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives & Innovation, Applied Systems said: “Technology is key to unlocking the potential of the insurance market and as a key player in the broking sector in the UK, Ireland and in the US, we are delighted to be able to support this exciting new initiative. In addition to our intimate understanding of the UK insurance market’s ecosystem, we can bring knowledge and insight from across our international operations which will prove invaluable in the panel’s quest to help UK insurtechs expand outside of these shores.”