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. 2D AGO

    Beyond Postcodes: Mapping True Exposure | Nick Franz of Altitude Intelligence

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow: Exploring the Ecosystem, host Jake Harding speaks with Nick Franz, founder of Altitude Intelligence, on why traditional underwriting data can obscure true risk exposure. Due to his background in intelligence, Nick has asked that we protect his identity. Nick shares how geospatial and spatial intelligence, rooted in military tradecraft, can transform insurance decision-making. They explore why risk must be understood as a dynamic system, not a static label, and how embedding context at data ingestion enables faster, more accurate underwriting.  From identifying hidden dependencies to avoiding outdated datasets, the conversation reveals how leading insurers are building a durable competitive edge. The takeaway is clear: those who integrate intelligence-driven insights today will outperform, while others risk compounding losses and blind spots. 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

    28 min

  2. MAR 24

    Automating Risk Workflows End-to-End to Eliminate Friction | Sam Lewis of Cytora

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow: Exploring the Ecosystem, host Juan de Castro speaks with Sam Lewis, VP of Product, Engineering, and Data at Cytora, about how agentic AI is reshaping insurance workflows. They explore the shift from manual, fragmented processes to seamless, stateful systems that use memory and context to manage end-to-end submissions. Sam explains why the real barrier to digitization has been behavioral, not technical, and how designing for zero workflow disruption drives adoption among brokers.  The conversation unpacks how AI agents increase underwriting capacity, improve responsiveness, and enable more consistent risk selection. They also discuss routing submissions intelligently, closing data gaps through enrichment, and freeing underwriters to focus on judgment-based decisions. The result is a more scalable, efficient, and accessible insurance ecosystem powered by always-on automation and intelligent orchestration. 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

    42 min

  3. MAR 17

    Most Property Data Is Wrong. Here’s What That Means for Insurers | Jon Francis of Chimnie

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow: Exploring the Ecosystem, host Jake Harding speaks with Jon Francis, Chief Product Officer at Chimnie, about why the future of property insurance underwriting depends on transparent, high-quality data. Jon explains how flawed or overly averaged property data can distort rebuild cost models, misprice risk, and ultimately drive adverse selection across insurance portfolios. He outlines practical methods for validating external data providers at scale, including large-volume testing to uncover hidden discrepancies that vendor samples often miss.  The conversation also introduces a structured approach for transitioning to more accurate data systems while maintaining internal trust and regulatory confidence. From uncovering edge-case property characteristics to enabling frictionless quote journeys, Jon shows how granular property intelligence can become a powerful competitive advantage for insurers willing to modernize their risk data 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

  4. MAR 10

    AI, Agents, and the Power of Connection in Insurance | Bill Harris & Drake Slaikeu-Lawhead of ITC Vegas

    In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro speaks with Bill Harris and Drake Slaikeu-Lawhead of ITC Vegas about how insurance growth hinges less on tools and more on connection. They explore how Insurtech Connect’s “neighbourhood” model helps carriers, brokers, and agents navigate 700+ vendors by organising solutions around real business needs. The conversation dives into AI’s impact on distribution, streamlining ACORD processing, claims, and upstream risk transfer, while reinforcing that independent agents remain essential for trust-based advice.  As pilots shrink from years to months, speed to impact becomes the new competitive edge. Yet in a digital-first era, they argue that face-to-face interaction still drives the most valuable outcomes. Serendipity, not just software, is what truly keeps risk flowing. 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

    39 min

  5. MAR 3

    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, 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

    41 min

  6. 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, 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

    40 min

  7. 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, 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

    34 min

  8. 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, 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

    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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