Making Risk Flow | The Future of Insurance

Cytora

Making Risk Flow is a podcast powered by Cytora. This insurance podcast is designed to bring clarity, know-how and inspiration in driving digital transformation for commercial insurers, paying particular attention to the automation of risk processing. This podcast, led by industry veteran Juan de Castro as well as insurance change-makers, will showcase their learnings, challenges and solutions that have, or haven’t, worked for them. If you are embarking on leading a transformational project in your insurance company and want to make sense of it all - this podcast is for you. To discover out more about digital risk processing, visit https://www.cytora.com

  1. 5 days ago

    Why Better Data Helps Underwriters Say 'Yes' More Often | Mark Varley & Simon de la Hoyde

    Geospatial intelligence is changing the way insurers assess risk, but better decisions start with better data.  In this episode of Making Risk Flow, Jake Harding is joined by Mark Varley, CEO of Addresscloud, and Simon de la Hoyde, Sales Director, to discuss how building-level data, real-time accumulation visibility, and high-quality address intelligence help underwriters quote faster, select risks with greater confidence, and write more profitable business. They also explore why insurers should focus on data quality before AI, how specialized data platforms outperform in-house solutions, and how responsible AI can enhance underwriting without compromising accuracy, transparency, or governance.  Mark Varley is CEO of Addresscloud, a geospatial intelligence platform serving the insurance industry. With 25 years of experience in insurance and 15+ years specializing in geographic risk assessment, Mark brings deep practitioner insights from his tenure at RSA and Accenture. Simon de la Hoyde is Sales Director at Addresscloud, bringing 17 years of insurance market expertise and a foundational background in geography and GIS applications. With experience across mobile telecommunications, retail site selection, and property insurance underwriting and pricing, de la Hoyde combines technical geospatial knowledge with deep commercial insurance acumen. Fan Mail: Got a challenge digitizing your intake? Share it with us, and we’ll unpack solutions from our experience at Cytora. To receive a custom demo from Cytora, click here and use the code 'Making Risk Flow'. Our previous guests include: Bronek Masojada of PPL, Craig Knightly of Inigo, Andrew Horton of QBE Insurance, Simon McGinn of Allianz, Stephane Flaquet of Hiscox, Matthew Grant of InsTech, Paul Brand of Convex, Paolo Cuomo of Gallagher Re, and Thierry Daucourt of AXA. Check out the three most downloaded episodes: The Five Pillars of Data Analytics Strategy in Insurance | Craig Knightly, Inigo20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek MasojadaImplementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

  2. 9 Jul

    Beyond Automation: The Real Drivers of Underwriting Transformation | Allison Hamilton

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow, Juan de Castro sits down with Allison Hamilton, US Customer Success Lead at Applied Systems, to discuss why underwriting transformation depends on people and processes as much as technology. Allison explains how better data governance, transparent AI, and aligned incentives help underwriters make faster, more confident decisions.  She explores why speed-to-quote has become a critical competitive advantage, how broker integration and third-party data remove costly friction, and why decision-ready workflows, not full automation, will define the winning carriers of 2030. The conversation offers practical insights for insurers modernizing underwriting in an AI-driven world.  Allison Hamilton is Head of US Customer Success for Cytora, a division of Applied Systems, where she leads customer delivery, adoption, and long-term value across North America. She partners with insurers to modernize underwriting through workflow automation, digital risk processing, and operating model innovation. Allison oversees strategic customer programs, drives measurable business outcomes, and works closely with product and go-to-market teams to shape Cytora's US strategy.  Fan Mail: Got a challenge digitizing your intake? Share it with us, and we’ll unpack solutions from our experience at Cytora. To receive a custom demo from Cytora, click here and use the code 'Making Risk Flow'. Our previous guests include: Bronek Masojada of PPL, Craig Knightly of Inigo, Andrew Horton of QBE Insurance, Simon McGinn of Allianz, Stephane Flaquet of Hiscox, Matthew Grant of InsTech, Paul Brand of Convex, Paolo Cuomo of Gallagher Re, and Thierry Daucourt of AXA. Check out the three most downloaded episodes: The Five Pillars of Data Analytics Strategy in Insurance | Craig Knightly, Inigo20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek MasojadaImplementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

  3. 30 Jun

    Property Intelligence at Scale: How Geospatial Data Is Redefining Insurance Underwriting | Izik Lavy and Jacob Grob

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow, Jake Harding sits down with Izik Lavy and Jacob Grob from GeoX AI to explore how property intelligence is transforming insurance underwriting. They discuss how accurate geospatial data, computer vision, and confidence-scored models help carriers move beyond reactive decision-making, accelerate quotes, uncover profitable opportunities, and better manage risk. The conversation explores why deterministic data can outperform probabilistic AI, how deeper property insights reveal hidden value in complex markets, and why specialized technology providers are becoming essential partners for insurers. Discover how real-time property intelligence is reshaping portfolio strategy, pricing, and the future of insurance.  Izik Lavy is the CEO and co-founder of GeoX AI, a geospatial intelligence platform specializing in property data extraction and analysis for the insurance industry. With 15 years of experience in geospatial technology and expertise in building scalable computer vision solutions, Lavy has led GeoX's expansion from the Japanese and Australian markets into the United States. Jacob Grob is the EVP of Sales for US Markets at GeoX, bringing 20 years of insurance data expertise to the conversation. Previously a senior leader at CoreLogic, where he gained deep exposure to building characteristics, catastrophe modeling, and replacement cost data, Grob now focuses on solving critical data blind spots through computer vision and scalable AI. Fan Mail: Got a challenge digitizing your intake? Share it with us, and we’ll unpack solutions from our experience at Cytora. To receive a custom demo from Cytora, click here and use the code 'Making Risk Flow'. Our previous guests include: Bronek Masojada of PPL, Craig Knightly of Inigo, Andrew Horton of QBE Insurance, Simon McGinn of Allianz, Stephane Flaquet of Hiscox, Matthew Grant of InsTech, Paul Brand of Convex, Paolo Cuomo of Gallagher Re, and Thierry Daucourt of AXA. Check out the three most downloaded episodes: The Five Pillars of Data Analytics Strategy in Insurance | Craig Knightly, Inigo20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek MasojadaImplementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

  4. 23 Jun

    Think Slow, Execute Fast: The New Playbook for Vertical AI Transformation in Insurance | Kristoffer Lundberg

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow, Juan de Castro sits down with Kristoffer Lundberg, CEO of Insurtech Insights, to explore how AI is transforming insurance from a story of disruption into one of collaboration. Recorded at InsureTech Insights in New York, the conversation examines what it takes to deploy AI at scale, from defining clear business goals and building the right partnerships to redesigning operating models around automation.  Kristoffer shares lessons from real-world AI implementations, including claims transformation, and explains why insurers must “think slow, execute fast” to create lasting value. The episode reveals how ecosystem partnerships, human-centered design, and measurable outcomes will shape the next era of insurance innovation.  Kristoffer Lundberg is the CEO of Insurtech Insights, a global insurance technology community connecting insurers, startups, investors, and technology leaders to accelerate innovation across the industry. Since joining Insurtech Insights in 2018, Kristoffer has helped grow the platform into a leading global destination for insurance transformation, hosting major conferences across Europe, the U.S., and Asia. His work focuses on bringing industry stakeholders together to explore emerging technologies, collaboration, and the future of insurance.  Fan Mail: Got a challenge digitizing your intake? Share it with us, and we’ll unpack solutions from our experience at Cytora. To receive a custom demo from Cytora, click here and use the code 'Making Risk Flow'. Our previous guests include: Bronek Masojada of PPL, Craig Knightly of Inigo, Andrew Horton of QBE Insurance, Simon McGinn of Allianz, Stephane Flaquet of Hiscox, Matthew Grant of InsTech, Paul Brand of Convex, Paolo Cuomo of Gallagher Re, and Thierry Daucourt of AXA. Check out the three most downloaded episodes: The Five Pillars of Data Analytics Strategy in Insurance | Craig Knightly, Inigo20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek MasojadaImplementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

  5. 16 Jun

    Lead, Follow, or Fall Behind? Positioning for Success in the Insurance Market | Greg Brown

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow, Juan de Castro sits down with Greg Brown, Partner at Oxbow Partners, to explore the strategic choices reshaping the London insurance market. As market conditions soften and technology advances accelerate, Greg explains why firms must clearly define whether they are true leaders, niche leaders, capacity leaders, or followers, and align their operating models accordingly.  The conversation examines how misalignment between market position and business architecture can erode profitability and competitive advantage. Greg also discusses the growing importance of portfolio management, the evolution of facilities from cyclical tools to permanent market infrastructure, and the role of AI in enhancing underwriting decision-making.  Greg Brown is a Partner at Oxbow Partners, a strategic advisory firm focused exclusively on the insurance industry. He specializes in helping Lloyd's and London Market organizations navigate strategic transformation, from underwriter modernization to launching digital business units. Combining expertise in strategy, operations, and technology, Greg helps insurers develop ambitious, practical plans that drive sustainable growth and competitive advantage. Fan Mail: Got a challenge digitizing your intake? Share it with us, and we’ll unpack solutions from our experience at Cytora. To receive a custom demo from Cytora, click here and use the code 'Making Risk Flow'. Our previous guests include: Bronek Masojada of PPL, Craig Knightly of Inigo, Andrew Horton of QBE Insurance, Simon McGinn of Allianz, Stephane Flaquet of Hiscox, Matthew Grant of InsTech, Paul Brand of Convex, Paolo Cuomo of Gallagher Re, and Thierry Daucourt of AXA. Check out the three most downloaded episodes: The Five Pillars of Data Analytics Strategy in Insurance | Craig Knightly, Inigo20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek MasojadaImplementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

  6. 9 Jun

    Beyond Traffic-Light Risk Scores: Building Climate Risk Models That Actually Work | Joan Saladich (Part 2)

    What if your climate risk assessments could predict the future with greater accuracy than historical data alone? In part two of this conversation on Making Risk Flow, Jake Harding continues his discussion with Joan Saladich, Founder of Geoskop, exploring how insurers can move beyond static climate risk models and embrace a more sophisticated, forward-looking approach to decision-making. Joan explains why annual climate model updates can create misleading conclusions, how vegetation and soil dynamics reshape wildfire risk, and why relying on single-source data leaves carriers exposed to blind spots.  The conversation also examines the role of AI and large language models in processing complex climate datasets, emphasising that technology should enhance, not replace, human judgment. Joan outlines a practical framework for combining historical data, future climate projections, alternative statistical models, and socioeconomic context to generate more accurate, explainable, and actionable climate risk intelligence.  Fan Mail: Got a challenge digitizing your intake? Share it with us, and we’ll unpack solutions from our experience at Cytora. To receive a custom demo from Cytora, click here and use the code 'Making Risk Flow'. Our previous guests include: Bronek Masojada of PPL, Craig Knightly of Inigo, Andrew Horton of QBE Insurance, Simon McGinn of Allianz, Stephane Flaquet of Hiscox, Matthew Grant of InsTech, Paul Brand of Convex, Paolo Cuomo of Gallagher Re, and Thierry Daucourt of AXA. Check out the three most downloaded episodes: The Five Pillars of Data Analytics Strategy in Insurance | Craig Knightly, Inigo20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek MasojadaImplementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

  7. 2 Jun

    Beyond Traffic-Light Risk Scores: Building Climate Risk Models That Actually Work | Joan Saladich (Part 1)

    What if the climate risk data you're using to underwrite policies is fundamentally flawed? In this first of two-part episode of Making Risk Flow, host Jake Harding speaks with Joan Saladich, CEO and co-founder of Geoskop, about why traditional climate risk scores often fail insurers and what a more sophisticated approach looks like. Joan explains how deterministic ratings and traffic-light systems oversimplify complex climate realities, making them unsuitable for underwriting decisions. He explores the value of probabilistic climate modeling, AI-powered analysis, and uncertainty quantification in assessing evolving risks.  The conversation also examines changing reinsurance dynamics, which are pushing more climate-related exposure onto commercial insurers. Joan discusses the importance of validating climate models through measurable accuracy and transparency, while highlighting how outdated scenario assumptions can distort risk assessments. Together, they show how embracing data complexity can create a meaningful competitive advantage in modern insurance underwriting.  Fan Mail: Got a challenge digitizing your intake? Share it with us, and we’ll unpack solutions from our experience at Cytora. To receive a custom demo from Cytora, click here and use the code 'Making Risk Flow'. Our previous guests include: Bronek Masojada of PPL, Craig Knightly of Inigo, Andrew Horton of QBE Insurance, Simon McGinn of Allianz, Stephane Flaquet of Hiscox, Matthew Grant of InsTech, Paul Brand of Convex, Paolo Cuomo of Gallagher Re, and Thierry Daucourt of AXA. Check out the three most downloaded episodes: The Five Pillars of Data Analytics Strategy in Insurance | Craig Knightly, Inigo20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek MasojadaImplementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

  8. 26 May

    Why Climate Data is Forming the Risk Intelligence Blueprint for Commercial Insurance | Caroline Grey

    What if the data you needed to price complex agricultural risks were available in near-real time instead of months later? In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Jake Harding speaks with Caroline Grey, co-founder and CRO at Treefera,  about how satellite imagery, AI, and scientific modelling are reshaping the future of insurance risk assessment. Caroline explains why the industry is moving beyond broad regional assumptions towards plot-level intelligence that enables faster underwriting, more accurate pricing, and entirely new insurance products.  The conversation explores how insurers can use near-real-time agricultural and climate data to reduce claims exposure, improve operational efficiency, and respond proactively to supply chain volatility. Caroline also shares practical guidance on structuring complex datasets for different business stakeholders, building scalable partnerships, and validating new solutions through low-risk pilots. This episode offers valuable insight into how data-driven underwriting is creating a competitive advantage across commercial insurance markets.  Fan Mail: Got a challenge digitizing your intake? Share it with us, and we’ll unpack solutions from our experience at Cytora. To receive a custom demo from Cytora, click here and use the code 'Making Risk Flow'. Our previous guests include: Bronek Masojada of PPL, Craig Knightly of Inigo, Andrew Horton of QBE Insurance, Simon McGinn of Allianz, Stephane Flaquet of Hiscox, Matthew Grant of InsTech, Paul Brand of Convex, Paolo Cuomo of Gallagher Re, and Thierry Daucourt of AXA. Check out the three most downloaded episodes: The Five Pillars of Data Analytics Strategy in Insurance | Craig Knightly, Inigo20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek MasojadaImplementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

About

Making Risk Flow is a podcast powered by Cytora. This insurance podcast is designed to bring clarity, know-how and inspiration in driving digital transformation for commercial insurers, paying particular attention to the automation of risk processing. This podcast, led by industry veteran Juan de Castro as well as insurance change-makers, will showcase their learnings, challenges and solutions that have, or haven’t, worked for them. If you are embarking on leading a transformational project in your insurance company and want to make sense of it all - this podcast is for you. To discover out more about digital risk processing, visit https://www.cytora.com

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