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- Expert Spotlight - Parul Kaul-Green
What is your role now since leaving corporate life? I'm the founder of Eudaimon Consulting, where we help insurance and investment management firms harness AI and digital transformation to drive significant economic value. How long have you been an expert of Camelot? Since January 2024 Have you been a panel expert on any Road Tests? I have been on Panel on Digital Transformation in commercial insurance, Climate modelling, Role of AI and analytics in insurance and E2 Value property underwriting model for North America property risk. Area of expertise? Strategy Digital Transformation, Innovation in Commercial re/insurance Investment management Highest/proudest most recognisable previous role Ex Chief Digital Strategy Officer Liberty Mutual Global Risk Solution- International. Responsible for digital transformation of 30 global insurance/reinsurance markets/countries delivered digital transformation of Underwriting and Distribution across multiple countries. How long have you been doing this subject/area? I have been in the industry for 25 years What is your company name? Eudaimon Consulting Limited What is your LinkedIn profile URL? https://www.linkedin.com/in/parul-kaul-green-cfa-27367833/ Please can you provide some examples of recent projects/professional high points that you’ve worked on? -Inorganic (M&A) strategy development and execution for SAAS company for Insurance sector. -Commercial Insurance Product Strategy development, identifying high value use cases for AI companies in North America. -Go-to-market strategy development and business development advisory for Technology Consulting firm. -Insurance technology AI opportunity assessment for Mid market Private equity company. What is your unique selling point? What makes your business approach unique? I am a former global c- level executive turned strategic advisor with a focus on financial services, insurance, and asset management. I have proven ability to identify, develop and execute transformative strategy, deliver complex M&A deals, harnessing AI and emerging technologies to drive growth and innovation. Do you have a Favourite quote? "The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Abraham Lincoln Any professional goals for the upcoming year? My primary goal is to deliver exceptional value to our technology and business clients operating within the insurance and asset management sectors. I aim to: Develop tailored roadmap of GenAI solutions that address the specific challenges and opportunities faced by our re/insurance clients, driving operational efficiency and competitive advantage. Provide strategic guidance on leveraging digital technologies to enhance revenue generation, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. Foster strong client relationships through open communication, collaboration, and a deep understanding of their business objectives. Stay abreast of emerging industry trends and technologies to ensure our clients remain at the forefront of innovation. And… Last but not least, how does being an expert of Camelot help you/or add value to your business? It is a fantastic network of peers who act as a advisor, sounding board, and referees as I go about my founder journey
- Expert Spotlight - Matt Stirland
What is your role now since leaving corporate life? I’ve established Maple Corner Consulting Ltd where I work with retail financial services businesses to unlock their potential through a focus on streamlining processes and ensuring operating models are optimised. How long have you been an expert of Camelot? I was fortunate to be invited by David to attend the Q1 event in London this year. We had connected earlier in the year, and joined the network the following day. Are you a leader or a member of a Camelot Special Interest Group? I’m not, but I am a Corporate Partner Account Manager for Camelot so I look after a number of the Corporate Partners - working with them to ensure that they are making the most of their membership. It’s a great role as I get to meet some really interesting businesses and fellow experts along the way. Area of expertise:- Operations and Sales Highest/proudest most recognisable previous role:- Director of Later Life Lending at Age Partnership where I led one of the UK’s largest financial advice businesses. How long have you been doing this subject/area? I’ve got nearly 25 years experience within the life & pensions and financial advice sectors. My career has seen me hold a number of senior roles at Aviva including Head of Transformation, Head of Customer Services and Head of Sales before going on to be Director of Later Life Lending at Age Partnership, the UK’s largest Equity Release Broker. What is your company name? Maple Corner Consulting Ltd Do you have a website? Maple Corner Consulting Ltd What is your LinkedIn profile URL? www.linkedin.com/in/matt-stirland Please can you provide some examples of recent projects/professional high point that you’ve worked on? As Head of Customer Services at Aviva, I led a transformation programme that delivered £10m annual cost savings, improved TNPS by 107% and improved colleague engagement by 19% through the delivery of process automation and a new operating model that embedded continuous improvement into the customer facing teams. I’m currently working on a project helping a national financial advice network build a model for continuous improvement and deliver enhancements to customer experience that will enable it to deliver a growth strategy. What is your unique selling point? My approach is to deliver exceptional customer experiences and ensure that processes and operating models are aligned, whilst ensuring costs are managed and revenue opportunities maximised. My two key principles are client first and keep it simple! Do you have a Favourite quote? “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” Charles Darwin Any professional goals for the upcoming year? Cheesy I know, but my goal is to keep growing my business and myself - I started this venture at the start of the year and it’s been a real journey of discovery, there’s been times I’ve questioned what the hell I’m doing and times where I’ve loved every minute of it and everything in between! And… Last but not least, how does being an expert of Camelot help you/or add value to your business? I hummed and hawed about joining Camelot as Insurance per se isn’t necessarily the sector that most of my experience comes from, but when I met David and attended the event in London, I knew it was going to be valuable to me for a number of reasons. Firstly, starting out on my own was daunting and knowing that there were others who’d been through it and willing to share their expertise was great - along with the practical tools that Camelot offers for people like me. Then there’s the networking element, both with other Experts and Corporate Partners - that opened doors and led to introductions I wouldn’t have had without it…you never know what’s going to come from a new connection - the key is to remain curious of the possibilities. There are still aspects of the network that I’m to make the most of such as the road tests and with the advent of Camelot Consulting I think there’s a lot more to come.
- Expert Spotlight - Jackie Skinner
What is your role now since leaving corporate life? Independent Consultant with Faktisk Limited aiming to solve your business problems with technology or process change. Have you been a panel expert on any Road Tests? I was part of the panel for e2Value , an insightful session and ability to give honest feedback in the moment. Area of expertise:- System Implementations, Business Architecture, Process Improvements, Data Migration, Mergers & Acquisitions, Digital Trading, Product Owner, Insurance, Highest/proudest most recognisable previous role:- I successfully implemented a new PAS system as a Business Solutions Manager at Hiscox UK. I ensured alignment with the core platform and transitioned the project into business as usual operations. Additionally, I designed the Target Operating Model for implementing change and took on the role of Product Owner for the IDIT platform and its integrations How long have you been doing this subject/area? 19 years’ experience in Insurance Operations and Change, previous 20 years of general IT roles moving from developer to business analyst. What is your company name? Faktisk Limited What is your LinkedIn profile URL? http://linkedin.com/in/jackie-skinner-b526611 Please can you provide some examples of recent projects/professional high point that you’ve worked on? Business Solutions Manager: Oversaw technical solutions, integrations, and system designs, ensuring alignment with business needs. Technical Change Lead: Transitioned change management to an Agile model, prioritizing and managing changes across various platforms acting as the Product Owner of IDIT. Business Delivery Manager: Led the introduction of a new Policy Administration system, (Sapiens IDIT) ensuring it met business requirements and streamlined processes. What is your unique selling point? Being the ‘Google translate’ between business and technology teams. What makes your business approach unique? Using my technical expertise to provide business solutions combined with process improvements and design using lean techniques for operational efficiency. Alongside the ability to lead change and operational teams using Agile methodologies. Do you have a Favourite quote? “You can’t bounce the bounce if you can’t even pronounce the bounce.” Tiger from Winnie the Pooh Any professional goals for the upcoming year? To work with companies to build that solution that accelerates growth and efficiency. And… Last but not least, how does being an expert of Camelot help you/or add value to your business? Being a part of a community whose focus is to help solve the same problems that every insurance company has to fix to be successful.
- Expert Spotlight Richard Willshire - October 2024
What is your role now since leaving corporate life? I am the Managing Director of Canterfield Risk Management Ltd. We help firms talk about controls in a way that is practical, proportionate and builds value. How long have you been an expert of Camelot? I joined Camelot in January 2024. Area of expertise:- Controls Advice and Assurance Highest/proudest most recognisable previous role:- Governance, Risk and Assurance Director for PKF Littlejohn How long have you been doing this subject/area? 15 years What is your company name? Canterfield Risk Management Ltd Do you have a website? Canterfield Risk Management Ltd – Advice and practical assurance What is your LinkedIn profile URL? Richard Willshire | LinkedIn Please can you provide some examples of recent projects/professional high point that you’ve worked on? One of my professional highs was working with a leading MGA (managing general agent), we provide the outsourced Internal Audit team covering, Financial, operational and IT risks. We successfully migrated from a compliance cyclic plan to a risk-based assessment and forward looking approach. Another was when we provided Consumer Duty expertise to UK retail insurers focussing on project delivery and consumer outcome assurance. We identified weaknesses in existing control frameworks that would have created unnecessary exposures and regulatory challenges, and recommended proportionate controls to mitigate these risks. Working with insurance intermediaries Pre and Post M&A activities focussed on governance and control frameworks to ensure these remain appropriate, fit for purpose and aligned to peer / market expected practices. What is your unique selling point? What makes your business approach unique? We only do the things we’re good at doing. The people at the meetings understand that the business did the work. Providing experienced resources to deliver assurance builds client trust, accelerates the work, minimises operational impact, and maximises the value added from market insight and practical control application. Do you have a Favourite quote? “Trust is built on telling the truth, not telling people what they want to hear” - Simon Sinek Any professional goals for the upcoming year? Building on our success through 2024 I want to shape the discussion around what great internal audit looks like and how empowering internal audit within your business can unlock value and enhance market credibility, and competitiveness. And… Last but not least, how does being an expert of Camelot help you/or add value to your business? Being a member of Camelot provides a wealth of experience and insight across a wide variety of backgrounds. The combined knowledge and resources available support members through networking, developing skills and insight, and the connections made at senior levels. Camelot excels at bringing excellent people together and supports informed, relevant discussion with excellent in-person and virtual events. Camelot reminds me that, as experts, we are at our best when we collaborate and work together to help businesses succeed and overcome challenges.
- Expert Spotlight - Alex Harari
What is your role now since leaving corporate life? My company is Digisure Enterprises offering consultancy in the Policy Administration Systems space for Insurers, Brokers and MGAs. How long have you been an expert of Camelot? March 2024 Are you a leader or a member of a Camelot Special Interest Group? I am a member of the Transformation Special Interest Group. Area of expertise:- Policy Administration Systems BP2 Highest/proudest most recognisable previous role:- Head of IT Portfolio at Charles Taylor Insurtech. How long have you been doing this subject/area? Over 20 years What is your company name? Digisure Enterprises Do you have a website? Digitaltech Consultancy | Digital Transformation ( digisureenterprises.com ) What is your LinkedIn profile URL? (4) Alex Harari | LinkedIn Please can you provide some examples of recent projects/professional high point that you’ve worked on? BP2 working with Lloyd’s of London to ensure Readiness following the implementation of the new digital platform. MGA Speciality Lines of Business PAS delivery - London Market of £300m GWP Brexit and Part VII delivery - Tier 1 Insurer including Data Transfer through IT systems and Business Change including Underwriting Stamps and PPL Global Programme Transformation Life and Pension Oracle PAS - Leading teams in Bulgaria, Peru, Mexico and London - 27 Products and 32 Integrations including SAP Accounting and RI and Data Migration. Tier 1 Insurer - Scope, Design and implement Specialty PAS of over £70m GWP What is your unique selling point? What makes your business approach unique? I am in the 99th percentile for Emotional Intelligence, this allows me to focus on people to understand the difference between business challenges and people problems to deliver improved outcomes. Do you have a Favourite quote? “I'm trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it.” Morpheus - The Matrix Lana Wachowski Any professional goals for the upcoming year? I am training to become a certified life and business coach. And… Last but not least, how does being an expert of Camelot help you/or add value to your business? My network has been invaluable. Through attending numerous events, I've met people from South Africa, the USA, and London, expanded my business, created different income streams and gained valuable insights from their experiences.
- Expert Spotlight - Roger Lewis
What is your role now since leaving corporate life? I now practice as a Freelance Underwriting Process Architect and Insurance Change Manager, with an enjoyable side hustle moderating insurance events as MC. I also talk to the Market about Underwriting Workbench Design and how to improve user adoption of insurance technology.. something I feel we do really badly as an industry. How long have you been an expert of Camelot? I have been an Expert Since 2021, although it seems far longer. Have you been a panel expert on any Road Tests? Several, including some great F2F (Face to face) road tests alongside some really impressive Camelot Experts. I always recommend to vendors to use case studies, a personal reference and the offer of a point of contact with these, as the best way to get me really interested as a tech buyer. Are you a leader or a member of a Camelot Special Interest Group? Not yet, but I have moderated several Camelot Round Table Breakfasts, usually around underwriting workbench design or policy wording management. Exec Breakfasts are a great way to help Camelot’s Corporate Partners showcase their expertise in front of insurance C-suite buyers. Area of expertise:- Specialty Underwriting Insurance Change Management (APMG qualified) PI, D&O and Cyber Product Design Round Table Event Moderation (MC) Highest/proudest most recognisable previous role 8 years as Chief Underwriting Officer of leading global marine mutual professional indemnity insurer ITIC, managed by the Thomas Miller Group. How long have you been doing this subject/area? 30+ years and still loving it. Having first joined employee owned business Thomas Miller as a marine insurance graduate in 1993, working first in specialty claims then underwriting, I have worked with some really good people over the years. I also enjoy recommending our industry to everyone looking for a career that you will fall in love with. What is your company name? FUSE Consultancy Do you have a website? https://fuse-consultancy.co.uk/ What is your LinkedIn profile URL? https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-lewis-consultancy/ Please can you provide some examples of recent projects/professional high point that you’ve worked on? Helping low code tech provider Netcall PLC enter the market for underwriting workbenches, identifying key underwriter use cases, building a proof of concept and supporting Netcall’s presentation of all of this to clients in the London Market. Building and deploying a Change Management Toolkit for global broker Howden to help drive user adoption of their new Salesforce based Global Broking Platform. Moderating multiple Camelot Round Table Breakfasts connecting my insurance C-Suite network with vendors focused on solving the problems of today…and tomorrow! What is your unique selling point? What makes your business approach unique? I understand first hand what the underwriters of the future will need from their technology…as I used to be one of them. Do you have a Favourite quote? “If you keep doing the same things, you'll end up with the same results” Albert Einstein (or some other genius, also with common sense) Any professional goals for the upcoming year? Creating leisure time to take my Level 3 cricket coaching exams. And… Last but not least, how does being an expert of Camelot help you/or add value to your business? Being part of a community focused on helping solve the same problems that every insurance c-suite has to fix to be successful.
- Asanto Corporate Partner Spotlight - Aug 2024
Website:- https://www.asanto.com/ Linkedin Profile:- https://www.linkedin.com/company/asanto/ Tell us a bit about the history of your company, number of employees, when the company was founded etc:- Asanto is a cloud based, low-code SaaS solution that enables insurers to design, launch and manage financial services products at incredible speed. A brand of TheIdol.com and wholly owned by Legal & General group, Asanto benefits from a wealth of industry expertise and experience. It was designed to serve the travel insurance market, partners using the platform benefit from scalability, security, and speed. The Asanto platform delivers competitive edge in a fast-paced market, and ensures complete regulatory compliance. TheIdol.com provides unparalleled expertise across the Travel market. Founded in 1999 , we provide insurance comparison solutions for market-leading brands, generating 18 million travel insurance quotes per day, and over £1billion of travel insurance premiums arranged since launch. What are the main services you offer your customers? Asanto allows partners to manage their product, pricing and underwriting, and offers a policy administration platform designed for Travel insurers, intermediaries and MGA’s. Serving as the decision-making core of their business, our partners can create instant changes to their proposition for improved risk selection, and empower internal teams to self-serve rather than rely on traditional IT teams to make those changes. One platform, built to support your entire distribution lifecycle, removing reliance on legacy systems. Manage multiple brands and products, increase brand reach, deliver exceptional customer and user experiences, and benefit from data-driven decision reducing risk selection and improving operating ratios. From off-the-shelf to bespoke solutions, mass data migration to new brands, Asanto is completely customisable to suit individual business requirements. Describe your perfect target customer or business problem:- A Travel insurance brand, which is either new to market or is already active in the market with a large back book of policyholders (which we can migrate across to Asanto). Both are looking for a cost-effective, simple to use solution to manage distribution lifecycle with ease, at speed. The existing active brand will likely experience higher operating costs due to overstretched resource, reliance on older tech and an IT change stack that stifles innovation and the ability to makesimple changes and create new products. The brands will benefit from direct to consumer and aggregation routes to market. Provide some examples of recent projects/professional high points that you’ve worked on? Recently launched a new travel brand with an MGA, who had not worked with their specific insurer before. Due diligence and extra work required undertaken by Asanto team, so that the brand could launch at target date. Bespoke solution tailored to their and the insurers requirements, with ongoing development work to deliver additional requested features. Adaptation and understanding of benefits for delivery have had a significantly positive impact on our relationship with the brand. Brief details about upcoming projects? We continue to focus on securing new travel partners to our proposition as well as continued focus on the simple UK life market as we look to power this simple term and critical illness panel for a number of major life intermediaries. How do you hear about Camelot and the services we provide? Referral through business partners. Why did you choose to partner with Camelot? We chose to partner with Camelot as we’d heard great things about the network. From the incredible knowledge sharing and guidance from Camelot Experts, to beneficial networking events with Corporate Partners alike, we felt Camelot could unlock growth opportunities for Asanto that would not be found elsewhere. What have been the highlights / benefits of being a member of Camelot? Regular sessions with our dedicated Experts have proven useful in our ongoing development. We have benefitted from being matched with an industry veteran, who knows our target market incredibly well, and has helped contribute to our strategy. Tell us one interesting fact about your company? We are based on the edge of the stunning Lake District National Park, meaning our office has possibly one of the best views in England!
- Iron Mountain - Why IT Asset Refurbishment and Reuse is Good Business.
In the Insurance industry, maximising the lifespan of IT assets through refurbishment and reuse isn't just about sustainability - it's smart business. IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) has evolved to embrace circularity principles, emphasising the refurbishment and reuse of obsolete equipment. Enterprises in the insurance sector understand the drawbacks of maintaining diverse hardware and software configurations. It's costly, time-consuming, and introduces compatibility risks. Instead, they opt for standardised devices, managed through image libraries for swift deployment and consistent software environments. The practice extends beyond large corporations; it's applicable to businesses of all sizes within the insurance sector. By refurbishing and reusing equipment internally, companies can optimise resources and minimise electronic waste. Slow PCs and laptops aren't discarded but revitalised through cleaning, reformatting, and hardware upgrades, extending their usefulness by years. Furthermore, purchasing refurbished equipment is a sound strategy for insurers. It's cost-effective and environmentally friendly, reducing electronic waste while providing access to older models that may still meet operational needs. Reputable refurbishers ensure rigorous testing and offer warranties comparable to new equipment, making it a reliable investment. Even aging equipment that's no longer suitable for office use can find new life as departmental servers or be donated to charities after thorough data sanitisation. Some insurers may even offer older devices to employees for personal use, promoting sustainability while providing value to staff. Circularity in ITAD aligns with the ethos of sustainable organisations. By maximising the value of existing resources, insurers can not only reduce environmental impact but also realise significant cost savings. Leading ITAD providers in the UK insurance industry emphasise circular asset lifecycle management, ensuring that IT investments contribute to both business success and environmental stewardship. When you partner with Iron Mountain, we work with you to develop a program that cares for your assets from deployment and active use to retirement and disposition, supported by our industry-leading data security and sustainability measures—every step of the way. To discover more about how Iron Mountain protects your data, the environment and your bottom line please visit our website or contact Mark Summers
- Corporate Partner Spotlight - Iron Mountain July 2024
Website:- https://www.ironmountain.com/uk Linkedin Profile:- https://www.linkedin.com/company/iron-mountain Tell us a bit about the history of your company, number of employees, when the company was founded etc: Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM) is a global leader in information management services. Founded in 1951 and trusted by more than 240,000 customers worldwide, Iron Mountain serves to protect and elevate the power of our customers’ work. Through a range of services including digital transformation, data centers, secure records storage, information management, asset lifecycle management, secure destruction, and art storage and logistics. Iron Mountain helps businesses bring light to their dark data, enabling customers to unlock value and intelligence from their stored digital and physical assets at speed and with security, whilst also helping them meet their environmental goals. What are the main services you offer your customers? We offer a suite of lifecycle management solutions to meet today’s complex business challenges. Digital transformation: It’s rare to find an organisation today with 100% paper usage in the workplace, but many leaders are taking important steps to digitise their files and processes. Iron Mountain digital transformation solutions: > Document scanning and digital storage > Legacy records cleanup > Entertainment and media archives > Intelligent document processing and workflow automation Workplace evolution: In response to a variety of business disruptors, organisations continue to modify how they conduct work, rethinking the use of their physical locations as they adopt hybrid working models. Moving or renovating your workspace? Iron Mountain assesses your current space, manages the clean-out process, and offers practical advice on how to best manage your information and assets moving forward. Cleaning up your legacy records? Commingled files, disorganised records, and boxes with incomplete information aren’t just a nuisance. They’re a liability that can inflate storage costs and increase litigation risks. Iron Mountain has simple solutions that allow you to make sense of what’s stored in your record boxes and make quick and defensible disposition decisions. Navigating a challenging supply chain environment? Forward-thinking leaders are focused on building a more agile logistics function to quickly respond to changing market conditions, while limiting the impact on the business and end customers. Iron Mountain workplace evolution solutions: Workplace transformation assessment Records and storage management Warehousing and logistics IT asset lifecycle management Data IT & Security Protecting your organisation’s reputation has become more important than ever, and this means being aware of both internal and external risk factors such as loss or misuse of records and data, cyber attacks, and mismanagement of IT assets. Looking to lower your risk? At Iron Mountain, we provide sustainable solutions designed to mitigate your risk by enabling continuity of service, securely destroying all media and IT assets, and providing expert advice related to compliant lifecycle management for data, records, and physical assets. Iron Mountain data and IT security solutions: > Colocation data centers > Cloud data management > Secure shredding > IT asset lifecycle management Describe your perfect target customer or business problem: Our ideal customer includes departments such as the C-suite (COO, CFO, CIO, CDO, CEO), information workflow owners (insurance agents/brokers, claims management, fraud prevention, office managers/administrative staff, facilities, accounts payable/finance), and records and information management (RIM) professionals (data owners, innovation/customer experience, information governance, security, and compliance). These customers typically belong to SMEs and enterprise-size companies. They are focused on: Prioritising digitalisation, sustainability, and resilience Adopting a 'cloud first' or 'technology as a service' IT strategy Prioritising digital transformation and workflow automation. Restructuring their workforce to promote remote/hybrid work environments. Implementing initiatives around governance, privacy, and/or compliance. Addressing the need for audit tracking across content due to new compliance regulations. Developing growth strategies, including mergers and acquisitions. Downsizing or actively closing office spaces. Meeting ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) targets and focusing on sustainability. Managing budget cuts while requiring greater operational efficiencies. Provide some examples of recent projects/professional high points that you’ve worked on? Challenge: The insurance provider faced issues managing both physical and digital claims processing files, risking mistakes and inefficiencies. Needs: Integrate physical and digital documents, expedite claim processing, and improve clarity on inventory and transit statuses. Solution: Implemented Digital Mailroom with Iron Mountain InSight® to handle 50,000 physical files, store 3 terabytes of data, and streamline document processing. Outcome: Achieved faster claim processing, improved customer service, eliminated a costly third-party consulting firm, and plans to implement AI and machine learning capabilities. Processing time reduced from weeks/months to days. Why did you choose to partner with Camelot? Iron Mountain have partnered with Camelot Network to enhance brand awareness and build valuable relationships within the UK insurance market. This partnership supports Iron Mountain’s strategic expansion,
- Expert Spotlight - Tony Tarquini
What is your role now since leaving corporate life? I am MD of 5189 Limited. I do two things: I chair at insurance/insurtech conferences around the world interviewing senior and C-suite insurance executives to understand what they are doing in the leading edge challenges of the day. I work with vendors to improve their ability to communicate with insurers and articulate their propositions in order to secure insurer engagement, build pipeline and win more business. After 35 years of seeing how badly it can be done, then talked through this with insurance executives in detail, I now have a methodology for helping insurtech sales and marketing to do it better. How long have you been an expert of Camelot? 3 years. Have you been a panel expert on any Road Tests? Yes, several. Listening to the pitch and providing some high level corrections which guide the sales and marketing functions within insurtechs to better engage with the insurance executives they have spent so much money, time and resources securing a meeting with. Area of expertise:- Insurer Strategy, especially through tech enablement Insutech sales, marketing and go to market planning Hosting events (breakfasts, lunches, dinners, webinars, podcasts and conference sessions) Highest/proudest most recognisable previous role Head of Insurance Strategy and Go to Market for insurance across EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) at Pegasystems. Winner of Insurance Times IT initiative of the Year which created a multi-million pound market. How long have you been doing this subject/area? 35 years in insurance IT and consulting What is your company name? 5189 Limited. Nobody guesses the reason why but everyone is welcome to ask! What is your LinkedIn profile URL? https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-tarquini-2b92a/ Please can you provide some examples of recent projects/professional high point that you’ve worked on? Chaired the Underwriting Network conference in London recently. This was an invitation only conference for +250 Underwriters where, across four panel sessions, I interviewed 12 Chief Underwriting Officers on the most critical subjects facing their profession today. What is your unique selling point? What makes your business approach unique? My unique selling point is my +35 years experience in the industry and my previous career in international sport. I work as a thought leader, advisor, mentor, conference speaker and chairman. Co-author of The InsurTECH Book (an Amazon best-seller), I apply lessons learned in success and failure from an early life as an international athlete competing against the world’s elite, to forge a successful, high profile career in insurance IT and consulting. I have won industry awards for IT innovation and created an extensive network of contacts and a strong reputation amongst the major players in the business Academically, I am a graduate in Economics and Accountancy from the University of Dundee and the advanced leadership programs of both INSEAD and Henley Business School. Do you have a Favourite quote? “Nothing succeeds like Success” This illustrates that when you work hard to get your quick wins, the detractors fall away, the supporters crowd around you and you have a platform to scale up what you do. I learned this lesson in my sporting days and have never forgotten it. Any professional goals for the upcoming year? To help improve insurers ability to fulfill the potential benefits of insurtech relationships. Specifically: Help them create better insurtech ecosystems More effectively and efficiently capture business challenges Publish those challenges via appropriate channels Find the best insurtech solution/partner/investment Also, I would like to improve the reputation of the insurance industry and make it a go-to industry for the best people to want to work in. And… Last but not least, how does being an expert of Camelot help you/or add value to your business? Exposure to a fantastic group of people who are inclusive, helpful and mutually supportive.
- The Data Revolution in Insurance
The landscape of the insurance industry is rapidly evolving, driven by the unprecedented explosion of unstructured data. To stay ahead, insurance companies must learn to harness this data to maximise profitability and efficiency. Our recent event, in partnership with Camelot: "Maximising Profitability and Efficiency: Harnessing the Proliferation of Unstructured Data in Insurance," brought together industry leaders, data experts, and technology innovators to explore the immense potential of unstructured data. In a series of engaging discussions, we delved into identifying opportunities arising from this data explosion, focusing on enhancing customer experience and boosting operational efficiencies. Together we discussed a wide range of relevant data oriented topics, the advantages and also the barriers to adoption. Here are my key takeaways and insights from this event, providing a roadmap for insurance companies to capitalise on the proliferation of unstructured data and secure a competitive edge in the market. 1. AI for Data Entry, Extraction, and Augmentation In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionised the insurance industry. Insurers are leveraging AI algorithms to streamline data entry, extract relevant information from documents, and enhance data quality. Whether it’s policy details, claims forms, or customer records, AI-powered tools are automating mundane tasks, reducing errors, and improving efficiency. 2. Liberating Time from Mundane Tasks By automating routine processes, insurers free up valuable time for their employees. Instead of spending hours on manual data entry, professionals can focus on higher-value tasks - such as analysing risk profiles, developing personalised insurance solutions, and building stronger client relationships. 3. The Data Element in Everything The future of insurance is undeniably data-centric. From underwriting decisions to claims management, data plays a pivotal role. Insurers analyse historical data, real-time market trends, and customer behaviour to make informed choices. As technology advances, we’ll see even more sophisticated data models driving insurance processes. 4. Human Touch in Emotional Moments While AI streamlines operations, it’s essential to recognise the human factor. Moments of emotion - such as filing a claim after an accident or loss - require empathy and understanding. Insurers are blending AI with human expertise, ensuring that clients receive personalised support during critical times. 5. Adoption and Cultural Shift Implementing data-driven solutions isn’t just about technology; it’s about changing mindsets. Insurers must win hearts and minds within their organisations. Setting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure data-driven improvements helps drive adoption and cultural change. 6. Standards Beyond Systems While technology matters, so do standards. Insurers need consistent guidelines for data handling, privacy, and security. Standardisation ensures interoperability, facilitates collaboration, and builds trust across the industry. 7. A Common Language Within large insurance companies, different business units often operate in silos. Establishing a common language - both in terms of data terminology and strategic goals - promotes cohesion and alignment. Internal standards bridge gaps and enhance overall efficiency. Conclusion In summary, the UK insurance landscape is evolving rapidly, fueled by data-driven innovations. As AI becomes more integral, insurers must balance automation with empathy, embrace cultural shifts, and adhere to robust standards. By doing so, they’ll navigate the dynamic future of insurance successfully. To learn more about how Iron Mountain is supporting digital transformation in the Insurance industry visit our webpage Kevin Shepherd Iron Mountain
- Expert Spotlight Ichun Lai
What is your role now since leaving corporate life? I founded Propel Global Advisory LLC in New York focusing on moving companies and individuals in financial services forward with artificial intelligence technologies responsibly. How long have you been an expert of Camelot? I first joined in 2021 when Gary Nuttall introduced me to David; and became more actively engaged in 2023 when I found myself having to rethink my next professional move. Have you been a panel expert on any Road Tests? Yes. It was a while back so I don’t remember the details, but I recall the satisfaction of sharing finance executive perspectives that seemed helpful to the startup founder. Area of expertise:- Finance (except M&A and Tax) Strategy Execution BA/PM DEI Leadership Highest/proudest most recognisable previous role “Starter Consultant” of a well-regarded consultancy, being strategically placed with new clients to create further business opportunities because of my “exemplary” work. How long have you been doing this subject/area? Six years in total as a consultant completing 9 projects for 5 clients. Consulting allowed me to venture into banking, brought me closer to technology, and taught me how to engage with stakeholders quicker focusing on delivering tangible results. What is your company name? Propel Global Advisory LLC Do you have a website? www.Propel-Global.com What is your LinkedIn profile URL? Ichun Lai | LinkedIn Please can you provide some examples of recent projects/professional high point that you’ve worked on? I was brought in to turn around a stalled project at a top-tier firm that was six months in but going nowhere. It was in a field entirely new to me – information management surrounding real estate projects. The client was too important to fail. Applying the same discipline required to deliver tangible results, I learned the subject quickly from experts, created consensus among senior executives, and engaged key stakeholders in designing new roles and processes enabled by newer technology. The project piloted in Paris and London and rolled out in time for major construction projects in India. The client was very satisfied, and I learned a lot. What is your unique selling point? What makes your business approach unique? I have continuously taken on new challenges in new areas, connecting the dots and bridging across functions and cultures to deliver results, often influencing without authority. I make sure the key stakeholders at all levels are engaged and invested in the outcome so what the project delivers is sustainable. Do you have a Favourite quote? ‘The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” William Arthur Ward. Being an optimist by nature, this quote helps me stay grounded. Any professional goals for the upcoming year? Yes. Continue to think through the business implications of AI/ML technology, its capabilities, current limitations, and future potential – it’s still evolving and advancing quickly. Expand my network to include enterprise and niche providers that do solid work. Help my clients cut through noise and hype and deploy AI to stay competitive and relevant through execution and partnership, responsibly. It would be nice to get paying clients along the way… And… Last but not least, how does being an expert of Camelot help you/or add value to your business? Camelot has given me the community and the support I need to take the plunge to go independent. I am truly humbled to be part of this network of accomplished professionals who genuinely want to make a difference for each other and the bigger world.