What can we learn from the people shaping the future of insurance?

In this special highlights episode of Beyond the Desk, Mark Thomas brings together some of the most insightful moments from conversations with senior leaders across the global insurance industry.

Across the series, guests have explored everything from leadership and career development to AI, underwriting, talent, culture and the changing insurance market.

This episode brings those conversations together, highlighting some of the biggest ideas, lessons and predictions from the people working at the forefront of the industry.

In this episode, you'll hear insights from:

• Nigel Walsh: on the leap of faith it took to move his family to New York for an opportunity at Google and how AI is reshaping underwriting and claims.
• Christopher Barclay: Imposter syndrome stepping into a CEO role and the moment he realised that being himself was the key to leading successfully.
• Kirk Southern: on leadership, career development, the evolving role of the Chief People Officer and how businesses can use AI to empower their people.
• Carys Lawton-Bryce: sharing perspectives on people, culture and the changing world of work.
• John Wingate: exploring technology, AI and the opportunities emerging from rapid technological change.
• Sally Peace: discussing culture, leadership and building successful businesses as organisations grow.
• Simon Jackson: from the Underwriting mini-series, exploring the future of underwriting and the changing role of technology.
• Talbir Singh Banes: on underwriting leadership, talent and the evolution of the MGA market.
• Mark Fellows: sharing lessons from a career in underwriting, building teams and developing underwriting businesses.
• Scott Bailey: discussing underwriting, AI and why human expertise and relationships will continue to matter.

Key themes explored

Leadership & career development

Why curiosity, humility and a willingness to learn can be more valuable than trying to accelerate your career too quickly. Kirk, for example, reflects on the importance of learning the foundations of a role and the people who helped shape his career.

The future of AI

How AI could transform the way insurance businesses operate, while still leaving human judgement, relationships and expertise at the heart of the industry.

Underwriting

What makes a great underwriter, what makes a great underwriting leader, and how technology can augment rather than replace underwriting expertise.

Talent & culture

How insurance businesses can attract, develop and retain the people they need as the skills required across the industry continue to change.

The changing insurance market

From the growth of MGAs and delegated authority to changing market cycles and the evolving role of technology, the series explores where the industry could be heading next.

Human expertise in an increasingly automated world

One recurring message throughout the conversations is that technology can remove repetitive work and enhance decision-making, but insurance remains fundamentally a relationship-driven business.

The big question

As technology transforms the way insurance works, what will remain uniquely human?

From leadership and culture to underwriting expertise and broker relationships, this episode brings together the ideas that could shape the next chapter of the insurance industry.