Making Risk Flow | The Future of Insurance

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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. 4D AGO

    Adapt or Fall Behind: Why Cultural Evolution Equals Competitive Edge | Bryan Falchuk

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Jake Harding speaks with Bryan Falchuk, author of the Future of Insurance series, about why insurance’s next competitive edge lies in intelligence, not efficiency. Bryan argues that carriers focus too heavily on operational optimisation when profitability depends on understanding and managing loss ratios. He introduces the “how might we” mindset as a way to break through cultural resistance and reframe constraints as opportunities.  The conversation explores AI as a bridge between legacy systems and modern analytics, enabling transformation without massive system overhauls. Bryan also examines how misaligned incentives, complacency, and leadership hubris quietly undermine long-term strategy. Ultimately, he makes the case that curiosity, humility, and proactive risk intelligence will define the insurers that thrive in an era of rapid technological change. 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, Inigo 20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek Masojada Implementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

    41 min

  2. FEB 24

    Re-Architecting Insurance for Speed, Data and Resilience | David McMillan, Jensten

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro speaks with David McMillan, former CEO of esureGroup, to unpack how a mid-sized insurer reinvented itself under private equity ownership. Facing COVID-19, reserve pressures, a soft market, and geopolitical disruption, the company leaned into culture, clarity, and modern technology to outpace larger rivals. David shares why building a high-performing team starts with shared values, how blending insurance expertise with external digital talent accelerates innovation, and why cloud-native, API-driven architecture is essential for real-time decision-making.  He also explains how to shift boards from traditional ROI forecasts to agile, outcome-based governance. It’s a candid conversation about resilience, leadership under pressure, and why staying smaller, more agile, and hence, faster can be a lasting 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, Inigo 20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek Masojada Implementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

    40 min

  3. FEB 17

    Finding the 20–40% Your Portfolio Is Missing | Greg Johnson & John Petricelli, Confianza

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow: Exploring the Ecosystem, host Jake Harding speaks with Greg Johnson, CEO of Confianza, and Chief Data Officer John Petricelli about the hidden profitability most carriers overlook. They explore how legacy data strategies leave 20–40% of premium and portfolio value untapped, and why context-driven, niche data sources are reshaping underwriting and renewals. From tenant risk and household composition to commodity-linked replacement costs and behavioural indicators, Greg and John explain how richer inputs create sharper risk selection and pricing accuracy.  The conversation also highlights portfolio optimisation as a powerful growth lever, identifying leakage, misclassified exposures, and cross-sell opportunities already within the book. It’s a practical discussion on engineering discipline in analytics and building a 360-degree view of risk to unlock measurable 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, Inigo 20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek Masojada Implementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

    34 min

  4. FEB 10

    Making Risk Flow Across the Insurance Value Chain | Richard Hartley, Cytora (Applied Systems)

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow, recorded live at the ITC London 2026 event, host Juan de Castro speaks with Richard Hartley, CEO and Founder of Cytora (now part of Applied Systems), about what it really takes to digitize risk across the entire insurance value chain. They explore why transformation fails when insurers focus on isolated workflows instead of interconnected pain points across agents, brokers, and carriers.  Richard breaks down how agentic AI is reshaping underwriting, why risk data must be treated as dynamic rather than static, and how channel-agnostic operating models unlock scale. The conversation offers practical insights on automation, buy-vs-build decisions, and what risk digitization will demand in 2026. 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, Inigo 20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek Masojada Implementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

    24 min

  5. FEB 3

    Unlocking Hidden Opportunities in Advanced Climate Modelling | Dave Wood, JBA Risk Management

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow: Exploring the Ecosystem, host Jake Harding speaks with Dave Wood, Managing Director at JBA Risk Management, about how AI and deep learning are reshaping catastrophe risk modeling. Dave explains how neural networks can simulate extreme climate scenarios that fall outside historical records, helping insurers better understand compound and tail risks.  The conversation also explores why model transparency and rigorous validation are essential as AI adoption accelerates, and how insurers can scale advanced weather simulation without sacrificing accuracy. Dave also shares practical guidance on integrating best-in-class AI tools into existing risk platforms, rather than building everything from scratch  in-house.  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, Inigo 20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek Masojada Implementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

    35 min

  6. JAN 27

    How Precision Climate Data Is Rewriting Insurance Risk Pricing | Duško Radulović, Climatig

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow: Exploring the Ecosystem, host Jake Harding speaks with Duško Radulović, Founder and CEO of Climatig, about how high-resolution climate intelligence is reshaping insurance underwriting and portfolio strategy. Duško explains why moving beyond regional averages to meter-level precision allows insurers to identify true physical risk and price policies more accurately and reduce loss volatility.  The conversation explores how machine learning fills critical data gaps for perils like hail and landslides, why climate forecasts must align with policy durations rather than long-term averages, and how transparency and validation build trust in predictive models. The episode offers practical insights into using data-driven climate risk assessment as a competitive advantage for underwriters, MGAs, and portfolio managers.  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, Inigo 20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek Masojada Implementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

    26 min

  7. JAN 20

    Why Operating Model Beats Portfolio Strategy in Insurance | Antonio Grimaldi, McKinsey

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro speaks with Antonio Grimaldi, Partner at McKinsey, about how London Market carriers can unlock growth by redesigning their operating models, not just optimising portfolios. They explore why execution drives the majority of performance, how underwriting workflows must be reimagined to free up judgement-led work, and what the shift towards facilities, MGAs, and alternative distribution means for competitive differentiation.  The conversation cuts through the AI hype, outlining a pragmatic buy-versus-build framework and the real cost of “POC purgatory”. Antonio also reframes relationship-based service for 2026, arguing that speed, clarity, and decisive underwriting strengthen broker relationships more than manual processes; especially in a softening market. 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, Inigo 20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek Masojada Implementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

    40 min

  8. JAN 13

    Why Claims Accuracy Is Insurance’s Biggest ROI Lever | Evgeny Aleksandrov, PilotBird

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Jake Harding speaks with Evgeny Aleksandrov, Founder and CEO of PilotBird, about why claims accuracy, and not speed, is the biggest lever in modern insurance. Evgeny explains how open-source intelligence and lifestyle analytics help insurers validate claims earlier, uncover organised fraud networks, and avoid costly post-payout recovery. The conversation explores how curated data can mislead adjusters, why a “trust and verify” approach is essential, and how early-lifecycle intelligence delivers outsized returns, often 14–56x ROI.  They also discuss how better data tools improve adjuster satisfaction and retention, and what insurers must do to responsibly adopt emerging data sources at scale to future-proof their risk infrastructure. 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, Inigo 20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek Masojada Implementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

    24 min
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Ratings & Reviews

2
out of 5
4 Ratings

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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