Beyond the Desk with Mark Thomas

Mark Thomas
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THE Insurance Careers Podcast! Hosted by Mark Thomas, one of the UK's leading senior appointments recruiters in the technology, operations, change & transformation space, this podcast brings you exclusive interviews with the most influential names and brightest minds in insurance. Each week, Mark dives deep into the career journeys, pivotal moments, and stories of success and resilience that have shaped the careers of these global insurance technology leaders. You will gain insights, inspiration, and insider perspectives from the leaders who are redefining the industry's future right now! 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJL5z9-RSWJj3BKCKa-MQ6g 💻 Connect with us on Linkedin for more insights and thought leadership www.linkedin.com/company/beyondthedeskpodcast Join the conversation, follow us and explore the fascinating world of insurance careers like never before! Website: https://beyond-the-desk.captivate.fm

  1. 2d ago

    How Technology Is Transforming Insurance with John Wingate

    Episode DescriptionIn this episode of Beyond the Desk, Mark Thomas is joined by John Wingate, Chief Technology Officer at Envelop Risk, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming insurance and why technology should enhance people rather than replace them. John shares his fascinating journey from developing software for Rolls-Royce jet engines and military systems to leading one of the insurance industry's most innovative technology teams. Together, they discuss AI, machine learning, cyber insurance, leadership, communication, and what it really takes to build products that solve meaningful problems. Whether you're interested in technology, insurance, engineering or leadership, this episode offers practical insights into the future of work and innovation. In this episode you'll learn:How John transitioned from aerospace engineering into insurance.Why Envelop Risk has built its own AI-powered underwriting platform.How AI is changing software development and insurance.Why technology should help people make better decisions—not replace them.The biggest opportunities AI presents for insurers.Why communication is an underrated technical skill.What makes a great Chief Technology Officer.How to build high-performing technical teams.Why solving the right problem is more important than solving it quickly. Key TakeawaysGreat technology starts with understanding the problem—not the tool. AI will increase productivity by helping people do more, not simply replacing jobs. Communication is one of the most valuable skills technical leaders can develop. The best CTOs stay close to technology while empowering their teams. Innovation comes from combining technical expertise with deep industry knowledge. Long-term career success comes from choosing interesting problems rather than chasing titles.

    How Technology Is Transforming Insurance with John Wingate

  2. Jul 14

    The Unconventional Road to COO with Carys Lawton-Bryce

    In this episode of Beyond the Desk, Mark Thomas sits down with Carys Lawton-Bryce, Chief Operations Officer at Markel International, to explore her unconventional journey into executive leadership. From growing up in South Africa to leading large-scale operational transformation across one of the insurance industry's leading organisations, Karis shares how curiosity, calculated risk-taking and a commitment to continuous learning shaped her career. They discuss why leadership isn't about having all the answers, how AI is transforming insurance operations, and the qualities that separate great COOs from good ones. Whether you're aspiring to senior leadership, navigating career decisions, or interested in the future of operations and AI, this episode is packed with practical insights. In this episode you'll learn:Why the best careers rarely follow a straight line.How stepping outside your comfort zone accelerates growth.The lessons Karis learned managing teams outside her technical expertise.Why adding value matters more than chasing job titles.How AI is changing the role of the modern COO.Why Markel rolled out Microsoft Copilot across its workforce.The balance between strategic thinking and operational execution.The leadership qualities Karis believes every executive should develop.Practical advice for anyone aspiring to a C-suite role. Key TakeawaysTake opportunities that help you learn even if they don't make perfect sense on paper. Great leaders don't need all the technical answers; they need to ask the right questions. AI should empower people, not replace them. Career progression isn't about climbing a ladder it's about building experience. Humility, curiosity and a willingness to get your hands dirty remain some of the most valuable leadership traits.

    The Unconventional Road to COO with Carys Lawton-Bryce

  3. Jul 7

    What It Really Takes to Become a Chief People Officer with Kirk Southern, Chief People Officer at Howden

    From a working-class upbringing in South Derbyshire to Chief People Officer at Howden, Kirk Southern shares the experiences, lessons and leadership principles that have shaped his career. In this episode of Beyond the Desk, Kirk discusses his unconventional route into HR, why curiosity and humility have been the biggest drivers of his success, and how the role of the Chief People Officer has evolved from operational HR into a strategic business partner. The conversation explores the future of leadership in an AI-driven world, why insurance remains one of the City's best-kept secrets, and what tomorrow's leaders need to succeed. Whether you're aspiring to the C-suite, leading teams today, or simply interested in the future of work, this episode is packed with practical insights. In this episode, you'll hear:Kirk's journey from recruitment consultant to Chief People Officer at HowdenWhy taking a step backwards can sometimes be the fastest way forwardsThe importance of mentorship, curiosity and learning throughout your careerHow the Chief People Officer role has evolved into a strategic leadership positionWhy insurance is one of the most rewarding industries to build a career inHow AI is changing work and why human judgement will become even more valuableThe leadership skills organisations will need over the next decadePractical advice for anyone aspiring to reach executive leadershipWhy commercial understanding is essential for future leadersThe leadership trait Kirk believes matters more than any other: humility Key TakeawaysGreat careers are built through patience, not shortcuts.AI should enhance human capability not replace it.Commercial awareness is one of the biggest differentiators for aspiring executives.The best leaders remain curious, humble and open to feedback.Strong organisational cultures are built by investing in people first. Guest: Kirk Southern Chief People Officer at Howden LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirk-southern-mcipd-01788118/ Host: Mark Thomas Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Invecta Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markthomas0/ Subscribe to Beyond the Desk for conversations with leaders shaping the future of insurance.

    What It Really Takes to Become a Chief People Officer with Kirk Southern, Chief People Officer at Howden

  4. Jun 22

    Why the Future of Insurance Will Be Orchestrated, Not Built with Nigel Walsh, Global Head of Insurance at ServiceNow

    In this episode of Beyond the Desk, Mark Thomas is joined by Nigel Walsh, Global Head of Insurance at ServiceNow. Nigel shares his journey from writing 210 letters trying to secure his first position at the start of his career to key leadership positions at some of the world's leading firms, including Capgemini, Deloitte, Google and his current position at ServiceNow. The conversation explores Nigel’s early route into technology, his move into insurance, the lessons he drew from consulting and global technology organisations, and what it was like to help shape Google Cloud’s approach to the insurance market. Mark and Nigel also discuss the next phase of AI in insurance, why the industry is moving beyond isolated pilots, and how agents, workflow orchestration and automation could reshape underwriting, claims and operations over the next 12–18 months. Guest: Nigel Walsh Global Head of Insurance at ServiceNow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelwalsh/ Host: Mark Thomas Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Invecta Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markthomas0/ Subscribe to Beyond the Desk for conversations with leaders shaping the future of insurance.

    Why the Future of Insurance Will Be Orchestrated, Not Built with Nigel Walsh, Global Head of Insurance at ServiceNow

  5. 07/08/2025

    The Evolution of the CDO Role in Insurance & Navigating the AI hype with Chris Pearce, CDO at esure

    In this episode of Beyond the Desk, Mark Thomas is joined by Chris Pearce, Chief Data Officer at esure. Chris shares his fascinating journey from a childhood love of video games to leading one of the UK’s most advanced data and AI transformations in the insurance industry. We explore Chris’s academic path from mathematics to a PhD in epidemiology, his early career spanning banking, automotive, and aggregators, and his progression into insurance leadership. Along the way, Chris gives a brutally honest view on the evolution of the CDO role, the hype and reality of AI in production, and how esure has embedded over a dozen generative AI use cases into the frontline of its business. Key topics discussed: Why video games sparked Chris’s interest in problem-solving and led to a career in dataWhat a PhD in epidemiology taught him about resilience, research, and learning how little you knowHis early career in banking, Mercedes-Benz, and MoneySuperMarket and how each built his leadership toolkitEntering insurance with Hastings Direct and building data science teams across pricing, fraud, and claimsBecoming CDO at esure and building an enterprise-wide data and AI capabilityThe differences between 1st-gen and 2nd-gen Chief Data Officer rolesWhat most people misunderstand about driving value from data scienceHow to thrive as a leader without losing your technical edgeWhat 16 GenAI use cases in production actually looks like in practiceWhere the CDO role is heading, and why agentic AI is next This is a brilliant insight into the mindset and career history of a modern, new CDO and what's next for data leaders in the insurance sector. Connect with us: Mark Thomas on LinkedIn: Connect HereFollow Beyond the Desk on LinkedIn: Follow HereWatch Full-Length Video Episodes on YouTube HereChris on LinkedIn: Connect Here If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with colleagues who might find it valuable! New episodes drop every Tuesday. Stay tuned for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of insurance and InsureTech. Thanks for tuning in - see you next time on Beyond the Desk! 🎧 Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Invecta Search, the brand new leadership search product from Invecta Group, which leads the insurance industry in building best-in-class technology and transformation leadership teams.

  6. 07/01/2025

    From Corporate Tech Leader to Independent: How David Clamp took to leap and ended up building The Camelot Network

    In this episode of Beyond the Desk, Mark Thomas is joined by David Clamp Founder of The Camelot Network, a network of independent consultants serving the insurance sector. From apprentice electronic engineer to insurance transformation leader and founder of a thriving network of 150+ independent experts, David Clamp’s career path has had some key milestones and changes in direction. In this episode, David shares the pivotal moments that shaped his journey, the birth of The Camelot Network, and his mission to reinvent what it means to be an independent advisor in insurance. We dive into: Leaving corporate life and embracing risk at 50Building The Camelot Network from a pub meetup to a market forceBridging the gap between insurance and insurtechWhat makes a successful independent consultantThe future of AI, data, and operating models in insurance Connect with us: Mark Thomas on LinkedIn: Connect HereFollow Beyond the Desk on LinkedIn: Follow HereWatch Full-Length Video Episodes on YouTube HereDavid on LinkedIn: Connect Here If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with colleagues who might find it valuable! New episodes drop every Tuesday. Stay tuned for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of insurance and InsureTech. Thanks for tuning in - see you next time on Beyond the Desk! 🎧 Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Invecta Search, the brand new leadership search product from Invecta Group, which leads the insurance industry in building best-in-class technology and transformation leadership teams. Find out more: www.invectagroup.com

  7. 06/24/2025

    Not Your Typical CTO - Taking a different path to insurance tech leadership with Daren Rudd, VP Insurance Consulting at CGI

    In this episode of Beyond the Desk, Mark Thomas is joined by Daren Rudd, Head of Insurance Business and Technology Consulting at CGI. Daren is a self-proclaimed "non-traditional CTO" whose route into insurance technology started not with a computer science degree, but a geography course and a job in marketing. Daren's path is a masterclass in curiosity, resilience and leadership that prioritises strategic impact over ego or titles. We delve into the pivotal moments that have shaped his 30+ year career, including a decade at Hiscox, a stint at Brit, the leap into consulting, and his current leadership role at CGI. Along the way, we explore how insurance businesses are tackling modernisation, the risks of layering AI on legacy, and why tech leaders need to stop pretending they have all the answers. Whether you're a current or aspiring leader, Daren's story offers an honest and refreshingly practical view on what good leadership actually looks like in insurance tech today. Key topics we cover include: Why Daren swapped marketing for tech (with no formal background)What makes a great BA and why it's not just a stepping stoneLeading without being the expert: lessons in facilitationThe danger of "AI as a silver bullet" for legacy systemsWhat today’s insurance clients really need: clarity, resilience, and pragmatism Connect with us: Mark Thomas on LinkedIn: Connect HereFollow Beyond the Desk on LinkedIn: Follow HereWatch Full-Length Video Episodes on YouTube HereDaren on LinkedIn: Connect Here If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with colleagues who might find it valuable! New episodes drop every Tuesday. Stay tuned for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of insurance and InsureTech. Thanks for tuning in - see you next time on Beyond the Desk! 🎧 Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Invecta Search, the brand new leadership search product from Invecta Group, which leads the insurance industry in building best-in-class technology and transformation leadership teams. Find out more: www.invectagroup.com

  8. 06/17/2025

    Exploring the evolution of the insurance CTO with Paul Butler, CTO at Hiscox Re & ILS

    In this episode of Beyond the Desk, Mark Thomas by Paul Butler, newly appointed CTO of Hiscox Re & ILS and former CTO of Hiscox London Market. Paul’s journey is anything but typical. From writing code as a teenager on a ZX Spectrum to launching tech for startups in Borough Market and leading reinsurance innovation at one of the most recognised names in the London Market, his story is full of surprises, learnings, and sharp insights. We dive into: Why coming from outside insurance gave Paul the right tools for success inside itHow he scaled a startup from 10 to 350 people while battling burnoutThe pivot from project to product thinking at HiscoxHow hiring for attitude (not just skillset) helped him build high-impact teamsWhat he learned from selling data products to hedge fundsThe future of insurance automation and why underwriters still matter Plus, Paul shares his take on flow engineering, embracing multi-cloud, and loads more. Connect with us: Mark Thomas on LinkedIn: Connect HereFollow Beyond the Desk on LinkedIn: Follow HereWatch Full-Length Video Episodes on YouTube HerePaul on LinkedIn: Connect Here If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with colleagues who might find it valuable! New episodes drop every Tuesday. Stay tuned for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of insurance and InsureTech. Thanks for tuning in - see you next time on Beyond the Desk! 🎧 Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Invecta Search, the brand new leadership search product from Invecta Group, which leads the insurance industry in building best-in-class technology and transformation leadership teams. Find out more: www.invectagroup.com

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About

THE Insurance Careers Podcast! Hosted by Mark Thomas, one of the UK's leading senior appointments recruiters in the technology, operations, change & transformation space, this podcast brings you exclusive interviews with the most influential names and brightest minds in insurance. Each week, Mark dives deep into the career journeys, pivotal moments, and stories of success and resilience that have shaped the careers of these global insurance technology leaders. You will gain insights, inspiration, and insider perspectives from the leaders who are redefining the industry's future right now! 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJL5z9-RSWJj3BKCKa-MQ6g 💻 Connect with us on Linkedin for more insights and thought leadership www.linkedin.com/company/beyondthedeskpodcast Join the conversation, follow us and explore the fascinating world of insurance careers like never before! Website: https://beyond-the-desk.captivate.fm

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