Innovating Health Insurance with Vita Virtues – An Interview with CEO Miro Fok | FS Brew PodcastJoin us on this episode of FS Brew, the Middle East’s first podcast dedicated to the world of insurance and Insurtech in the UAE and broader Middle East. Hosts Vidya and Renjit welcome Miro Fok, the CEO and founder of Vita Virtues, a pioneering Insurtech firm specializing in digital health insurance solutions. Dive into Miro’s entrepreneurial journey, inspired by his sales background and a unique visi...
Jun 30, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Exploring Insurance Innovation with Koy Nien Lee, CEO of Protego Insurance | FS Brew PodcastWelcome to another episode of FS Brew, the region's first podcast dedicated to insurance and Insurtech in the UAE and the Middle East. In this episode, hosts Vidya and Renjit Philip sit down with Koy Nien Lee, the CEO of Protego Insurance, backed by RAK Bank. Koy shares his captivating journey from engineering in Singapore to leading Protego Insurance in the UAE, highlighting his goals to revolutionize th...
Jun 14, 2025•37 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Welcome to FS Brew, the UAE and Middle East’s first podcast dedicated to insurance and Insurtech.In this episode, Renjit Philip and Vidya Veerapandian sit down with Jonathan Cooper, CEO and Founder of WIS Group (Worldwide Insurance Solutions).Jonathan shares his journey from working in claims at a local insurer to building an innovative Insurtech company offering travel, cyber, pet, and gadget insurance.We dive into: • The rise of personalized travel insurance • How AI is reshaping policy delive...
May 20, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Exploring InsurTech and Innovation with Sabine VanderLinden | FS Brew PodcastWelcome to the FS Brew Podcast, the UAE and Middle East's first podcast dedicated to all things insurance and InsurTech. In this episode, hosts Vidya, and Renjit are joined by Sabine VanderLinden, a renowned corporate strategist and current CEO of Alchemy Crew. Sabine shares her 25-year journey in the industry and discusses her work with Alchemy Crew, a venture lab focused on accelerating innovation in the insurance sec...
May 10, 2025•45 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Innovations & Insights in Middle East Insurance with Howden's Richard Market | FS Brew PodcastIn this episode of FS Brew, hosts Renjit Phillip and Vidya Veerapandian welcome Richard Mockett, CEO of Howden Insurance Brokers for the Middle East and Africa. Discover how Richard transitioned from a DJ to a leader in the insurance industry, and delve into Howden's strategic expansion in the Middle East and Africa. The dialogue covers Howden's approach to cybersecurity and climate risk resilience,...
Apr 25, 2025•42 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Welcome to FS Brew, the UAE and Middle East’s first podcast dedicated to insurance and InsureTech. In this episode, hosts Renjit Philip, a boutique consulting firm partner, and Vidya Veerapandian, founder of Forward, engage in a riveting conversation with Mr. Fareed Lutfi, the legendary Secretary General of the Emirates Insurance Association and Gulf Insurance Federation.With over 40 years of industry experience, Mr. Fareed Lutfi shares his journey into insurance, the pivotal roles of industry f...
Apr 09, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 4
The Future of Insurance: Digital Transformation, Social Media, and Innovation with Dr. Robin Kiera Welcome to FS Brew, the first podcast in the UAE and the wider Middle East focused on insurance and InsureTech. In this episode, hosts Vidya Veerapandian, founder of Forward, and Renjit Philip, a consultant in M&A funding and go-to-market strategies for startups, sit down with Dr. Robin Kiera. Dr. Kiera is a prominent voice in the insurance industry, an advocate for its digital transformation, ...
Mar 15, 2025•37 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Insurtech Innovation & Collaboration: Insights from VC Expert Minh Q. TranWelcome to FSBrew, the Middle East's premiere podcast on insurance and insurtech. In this episode, hosts Vidya and Ranjit Phillip speak with Minh Q. Tran, a seasoned venture capitalist with over 25 years of experience in tech and finance, particularly focusing on Insurtech, FinTech, and PropTech. Minh leads Mandalore Partners which specializes in corporate venture capital as a service, helping insurance companies strat...
Feb 04, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Join us on FS Brew, the UAE's first podcast dedicated to insurance and Insurtech in the Middle East, as co-hosts Vidya Veerapandian and Renjit Philip engage in a deep conversation with Ayman El Hout, CEO of Marsh McLennan in the Middle East. With over 40 years of industry experience, Ayman provides insights into his career journey, the evolution of Marsh McLennan in the region, and the future landscape of the insurance sector. Key topics include the importance of AI, the challenges of medical in...
Jan 31, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 1
In this episode of F S Brew, Vidya and Renjit interview Hasham Piperdy, GM of KSA and Director at Badri Consultancy, discussing the remarkable growth in the KSA insurance market. Hasham shares insights into the factors driving this growth, from an industry valuation of around 36-37 billion in 2020 to a staggering 64 billion last year. This includes the role of regulatory changes, successful campaigns to insure more drivers, and the potential of renewable energy projects. The conversation also co...
Dec 13, 2024•58 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Digital Transformation in Insurance: Insights from Dark Horse Digital Solutions In this episode of FSBrew, we sit down with the team from Dark Horse Digital Solutions, including Naren, Kishore, and Utkarsh, to delve into their journey and perspectives on digital transformation. They discuss the founding of Dark Horse, the evolving role of IT in business, and the significance of change management. The conversation spans across different sectors with a particular focus on the nuances of digital tr...
Dec 10, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 13
FS Brew: Exploring UAE's New Broker Regulations and Insurtech Innovations In this episode of FS Brew, hosts Vidya and Renjit discuss the latest in the UAE's insurance and Insurtech landscape. They delve into new broker regulations issued by the Central Bank of UAE, focusing on premium collections and outsourcing rules that aim to bring stability to the industry. The hosts also spotlight emerging Insurtechs such as LookInsure and Shory, highlighting their innovations and market strategies. Additi...
Dec 06, 2024•25 min•Season 4Ep. 12
In this episode of FS Brew, we sit down with Gabriel Lazaro, EVP at Chubb Overseas General, overseeing APAC, EMEA, and LATAM regions. Gabriel shares his journey into the insurance industry, the role of Chubb Studio in the group's strategy, and the evolving insurtech landscape. We cover diverse topics, including: - Gabriel’s transition from marketing to insurance - The role of Chubb Studio in embedded insurance and partnerships with insurtechs - How embedded insurance is gaining traction in banks...
Oct 02, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Navigating the Insurance Industry with Ken Maw: Insights and LeadershipWelcome to FS Brew, where we dive into the world of insurance and Insurtech in the UAE and the broader Middle East. In this episode, hosts Renjit Philip and Vidya Veerapandian interview Ken Moore, Managing Director at Al Futtaim Willis. With over four decades of experience in the #insurance sector, Ken shares his unique journey from working in the food industry to becoming a key figure in insurance. He discusses the evolution...
Aug 26, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 10
In this episode of FSBrew, the Middle East's premier podcast on insurance and insurtech, we sit down with Sarbvir Singh, Director & Joint Group CEO of PB Fintech (and PolicyBazaar), India's leading insurance marketplace. Sarbvir shares his journey from investment banking to leading one of India's most successful insurtech companies. He offers unique insights into PolicyBazaar's growth story, from its startup roots to becoming a publicly listed entity. Discover how PolicyBazaar is leveraging ...
Jun 26, 2024•45 min•Season 4Ep. 9
INNOVATING FOR GEN Z & MILLENNIALS 🌎💡 In this power-packed panel, industry leaders explore how organizations, especially in financial services, can drive meaningful innovation to win over Gen Z and Millennial customers and employees. Panelists Prashant Raizada, Preeti Mundra, Suvo Sarkar, and Vikram Krishna unravel the evolving needs of these digitally savvy, socially conscious generations and the innovation gaps holding brands back. Key takeaways: 📈 Moving beyond banking to embedded fina...
May 27, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In this insightful episode of FS Brew, Arijit shares his diverse experience spanning from being a corporate lawyer to leading InsurTech ventures. Discover: ✅ The story behind CoverGenius' cutting-edge embedded insurance solutions for digital giants like Booking.com, eBay, and Shopee. ✅ How CoverGenius leverages AI, NLP, and data science to revolutionize pricing, product innovation, and claims processing. ✅ Arijit's leadership lessons and advice for insurance professionals aspiring to thrive in t...
Apr 25, 2024•48 min•Season 4Ep. 7
In this in-depth podcast interview, insurance legal expert Anand Singh from Al Tamimi & Co. discusses the major new insurance regulations introduced in the UAE in 2023. He provides insights into the context, impacts and implications for insurers, brokers and the overall insurance ecosystem. Key Topics: 1. The 2023 UAE insurance regulations cover basic governance, risk management, business planning, ombudsman - areas where 60% of the market may not be fully compliant currently. 2. Upcoming Op...
Apr 23, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 6
🔥 Insider Insights: Marsh McLennan CEO Unfiltered 🔥 Renée McGowan, CEO of Marsh McLennan for the Middle East, India & Africa, gets candid about leadership, Gen AI's impact on insurance, and tackling climate risks. 🌟 Highlights Include: - Her transparent leadership style that empowers teams - How their innovative 'Len AI' is transforming client solutions - Navigating the diverse regulatory landscapes across regions - The biggest risks facing the world according to their Global Risk Report ...
Apr 20, 2024•43 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Hosts, Vidya Veerapandian and Renjit Philip review four news pieces from the UAE insurance industry: - HAYAH Insurance's app called TRIBE BY HAYAH- a great move by the team, creating a more comprehensive 'fintech' proposition starting with term life, medical insurance, and savings-linked investment products - Sukoon Insurance and WAX partnership- opening up a whole new way of segmenting target audience with a differential proposition- (📣reinsurers, take note of the variety of risks being underw...
Feb 29, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 4
This episode provides an in-depth look at the journey of Mohab Aboueita, co-founder and CEO of Amanleek, a digital insurance brokerage in Egypt, and his insights into the insurance and InsurTech industry. The discussion covers Mohab's accidental entry into the insurance sector, the foundation of Amanleek, challenges faced in scaling the business, strategies for customer acquisition, co-founder dynamics, and the importance of resilience and grit in entrepreneurship. It highlights Amanleek's appro...
Feb 08, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 3
A wide randing conversation with Shady El Tohfa, the CEO of Amenli, a digital broking company in Egypt. Key learning opportunities for an Insurtech founder in the Middle East include: 1. Recognizing the low insurance penetration in the region as an opportunity for digital disruption. 2. Understanding the importance of regulatory compliance and adapting to local insurance laws. 3. Leveraging existing technologies and platforms to build efficient solutions. 4. Focusing on customer education to inc...
Jan 28, 2024•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 2
In this episode, we spoke to Rob Schimek, the Group Chief Executive Officer of bolttech, the fast-growing international insurtech. He is responsible for the company’s development and growth around the world. Before starting bolttech, he held leadership roles with AIG, FWD, and Deloitte, and has an MBA from Wharton School. Rob spoke about the evolution of bolttech, and the varied strategic decisions taken, including their stakeholder mix and acquisitions of companies, as reasons behind its expone...
Jan 04, 2024•52 min•Season 4Ep. 1
In this episode of FS Brew, we explore trending insurance sector stories in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia (KSA). Topics include significant employee benefit changes in the UAE, developments in unemployment insurance, the implications of the BOTIM app acquisition, and the introduction of e-monitoring for car insurance in KSA. The episode also gets into a discussion on the exciting potentials of Gen AI's application to insurance underwriting. Lastly, we delve into the fresh rebra...
Nov 17, 2023•15 min•Season 3Ep. 9
🔍 Exploring Corporate Venture Capital with SE Ventures In a recent episode of the FS Brew podcast, Harald, the head of Venture Building at SE Ventures, shared some insightful perspectives on the role of corporate venture capital in shaping the future of FinTech. SE Ventures, the corporate venture-building arm of Standard Chartered Bank, operates independently, focusing on areas that complement the banking sector. They have invested in about 25 portfolio companies and launched over 30 ventures i...
Jul 27, 2023•31 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Here's the podcast drop of our interview with Preeti Mundhra , CEO of Tree 🌳, a digital insurance company based in KSA. Deep dive into the burgeoning Saudi Arabian market, its young consumers, and the impact on the insurance industry. We spoke with Preeti at length on many aspects, including: 💡 the customer insights that went into creating Tree 🌳and how Millennials and Gen Zs are driving the strategy for the company- affordability and flexibility as their top requirements! 🎯how continuously ...
Jul 27, 2023•47 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Sure, here are some more details about the key highlights and learnings from the interview with Avinash Babur: Focus on the customer. Avinash says that InsuranceMarket.ae has built a strong reputation by listening to customers and constantly improving their products and services. For example, the company regularly surveys its customers to get feedback on their experiences. This feedback is then used to make changes to the company's products and services. As a result, InsuranceMarket.ae has a hig...
Jun 17, 2023•51 min•Season 3Ep. 6
FS Brew has been speaking to #venturecapital firms interested in #insurance and #insurtech space to know more about what it takes to pique their interest. In this episode, we spoke with Shwetank Verma , Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Leo Capital and Co-Founder of India Insurtech Association . He is passionate about insurance and has been championing the cause of insurtechs in his current and previous roles. His VC firm, Leo Capital , invests in some of the leading insurtechs, such as Coverge...
Jun 10, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 6
The emergence of Chat GPT and AI technologies has brought about a revolution in the insurance industry. These tools offer promising solutions to the complexity of data-driven insurance operations. Chat GPT, a large language model, can create chatbots that can process claims, answer customer inquiries, and even underwrite policies. AI, on the other hand, can assist insurers in analyzing data, identifying patterns, and making informed decisions about pricing and risk. The integration of these tech...
May 23, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 7
FS Brew has been speaking to #venturecapital firms interested in #insurance and #insurtech space to know more about what it takes to pique their interest and get the fund in! In our first chat with a #venturecapital firm, we spoke with Ahmed Elgabri, an investment professional from Shorooq Partners, a leading #abudhabi based #vc firm with offices across #MENA and #pakistan. It was a super insightful conversation, and we even got to know the whole application process for an insurtech start-up to ...
Apr 19, 2023•33 min•Season 3Ep. 6
