In this episode of Making Risk Flow , host Juan de Castro is joined by Jean-Jacques Henchoz (JJ), Non Executive Director, Brit Insurance and a non executive director across the insurance value chain, to explore the future of insurance. With over 25 years of industry experience, JJ shares his perspectives on how insurers can remain relevant by addressing protection gaps, improving affordability, and embracing cultural and technological transformation. The discussion highlights how AI, automation,...
Sep 16, 2025•28 min•Season 7Ep. 4
In this episode of Making Risk Flow , host Juan de Castro speaks with Bilge Mert , Chief Technology and Transformation Officer at Brit Insurance, about what it takes to drive meaningful digital transformation in commercial insurance. Bilge shares her approach to standardising processes across lines of business, leveraging AI to unlock efficiency, and building scalable technology foundations that support long-term innovation. Discover how combining insurance expertise with cross-industry experien...
Sep 02, 2025•33 min•Season 7Ep. 3
In this episode of Making Risk Flow , host Juan de Castro sits down with Greg Hendrick , CEO of Vantage Risk Companies , to unpack what it takes to build a modern underwriting company from the ground up, right in the middle of a pandemic. Greg reveals how Vantage has grown to $1.2B in equity by combining the best of traditional underwriting expertise with a business-driven risk data technology strategy. From creating an “Opportunity Score” to prioritise submissions, to fostering collaboration be...
Aug 19, 2025•39 min•Season 7Ep. 2
In this panel episode of Making Risk Flow , host Juan de Castro dives into the transformative power of generative AI in insurance with three industry experts: Allison Thornicroft , VP and Business Solutions Lead at Arch Insurance Group, Neeren Chauhan , Chief Innovation and AI Officer at Tokio Marine, and Yaemish Rughoo , Information Technology Program Director at Everen. Together, they explore how AI is slashing submission clearance times from days to hours, achieving 95–97% data extraction acc...
Aug 05, 2025•17 min•Season 7Ep. 1
In this special panel edition recorded at the InsureTech Insights 2025 the panel, including Cytora's Head of North America Zaheer Hooda, have a forward-looking conversation on the evolution of the industry from InsurTech 2.0 to 3.0. Joining him in the panel are Nicholas Chen (MD Financial Services, Accenture), Camilla Serna (Global Revenue Officer at Chubb), Ben Madick (CEO Co-founder of Matic) and Fred Blumer (CEO and Co-founder of Mile Auto & Porsche Auto Insurance). Together, they break d...
Jul 01, 2025•35 min•Season 6Ep. 12
Welcome to Cytora’s Practitioner’s Guide, a new series from Making Risk Flow. In each episode, we sit down with experts from Cytora’s global team to explore practical strategies, real-world applications, and emerging insights from the front lines of risk digitization and underwriting transformation. In this episode, Juan de Castro is joined by Rich Lewis, Cytora's Sales Director, and Zaheer Hooda, Head of North America, for a deep dive into what makes proof-of-concept (POC) initiatives in risk d...
May 27, 2025•28 min•Season 6Ep. 11
In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro sits down with Cassandra Vukorep, Chief Data and AI Officer at Lloyd’s of London, to explore the impact of data and AI on commercial insurance. They discuss Lloyd’s role as an ecosystem platform for over 100 syndicates, the importance of data standardisation, and efforts to streamline operations through the Core Data Record (CDR). With only 8% of insurers adopting AI across multiple functions, Cassandra highlights key challenges, including...
Apr 08, 2025•29 min•Season 6Ep. 10
In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro speaks with Carl Bach, CEO of Hartford Underwriting Agency, about how a 200-year-old insurer is modernising for the future. They discuss Hartford’s brand refresh, maintaining its historic stag emblem while evolving its global identity. Carl outlines the strategic transformation of the company’s Global Specialty business, which began in 2019, focusing on streamlining operations and ramping up specialisation in marine, energy, and financial ...
Mar 25, 2025•31 min•Season 6Ep. 9
In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro welcomes Jonathan Spry, CEO and co-founder of Envelop Risk, for an insightful discussion on how AI and advanced analytics are transforming cyber insurance. They explore Envelop Risk’s “data flywheel” strategy, emphasising the power of data-driven decision-making in risk assessment. Jonathan shares how AI-driven underwriting has evolved over the past eight years, shifting from industry scepticism to widespread adoption. They also discuss "a...
Mar 04, 2025•37 min•Season 6Ep. 8
This episode of Making Risk Flow is a recording of an event hosted by Cytora and InsTech to bring industry stakeholders, including clients and key industry executives, to the table to discuss how they are approaching digitisation. Juan is joined by James Platt, Henry Withinshaw, and Jonathon Gray to explore how digital transformation is reshaping commercial insurance, tackling challenges like reducing quote turnaround times, improving data accuracy, and enhancing broker service. The panel shares...
Feb 18, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 7
In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro is joined by Laurent Rousseau, CEO of Global Capital Solutions at Guy Carpenter, to discuss leadership, success, and the evolving role of insurance in society. Laurent reflects on his career journey from equity analyst to CEO, sharing his personal definition of success: one that prioritises inner fulfilment over external expectations. Together, Juan and Laurent also discuss the insurance industry’s role as a key enabler of societal good an...
Feb 04, 2025•28 min•Season 6Ep. 6
In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro is joined by Marcus Ryu, Co-founder of Guidewire, to explore his fascinating entrepreneurial journey and the transformative role of technology in the insurance industry. Marcus reflects on his nearly two decades of experience building Guidewire into a company that revolutionised insurance. From his early career at McKinsey to founding a startup in a traditionally conservative industry, Marcus shares his thoughts on overcoming the challenge...
Jan 22, 2025•56 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Here it is, the moment we’ve been counting down to! As we wrap up our Top 5 Most Downloaded Episodes of 2024 , we’re thrilled to re-release the No. 1 episode of the year. In this standout conversation, host Juan de Castro sits down with Andrew Horton, Group CEO of QBE Insurance, a global leader operating in 26 countries and ranked among the world’s top 20 insurance and reinsurance companies. Andrew’s insights captivated audiences, making this the most downloaded episode of the year. During their...
Dec 31, 2024•36 min
We’re nearing the top of our countdown! As we celebrate the Top 5 Most Downloaded Episodes of 2024 , this week we’re revisiting the conversation that landed at No. 2. In this episode, host Juan de Castro is joined by James Platt, Co-Founder and Operating Partner at Trimstone Partners. James brings a wealth of experience in operational transformation and technology innovation, with a career that spans senior roles at Boston Consulting Group and Aon, where he served as CEO of Digital Solutions. Th...
Dec 24, 2024•38 min
The countdown continues! As we approach the end of 2024, we’re revisiting the Top 5 Most Downloaded Episodes of the Year on Making Risk Flow. This week, we’re diving into No. 3, a thought-provoking conversation with Jacob Palmer, Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). With over 13 years of experience in consulting, risk management, and insurance, Jacob works with global insurers to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in a rapidly evolving industry. Whether you’re revisiting this conve...
Dec 17, 2024•40 min
The countdown continues! As we approach the end of 2024, we’re revisiting the Top 5 Most Downloaded Episodes of the Year on Making Risk Flow . This week, we’re diving into No. 4, a fascinating conversation with Clive Buesnel, former CEO of Tysers and current Managing Partner, International at Insurance Advisory Partners. Whether you’re revisiting this conversation or hearing it for the first time, it’s an episode packed with forward-thinking insights that remain as relevant today as when it was ...
Dec 10, 2024•27 min
Welcome to a special end-of-year series on Making Risk Flow! As we count down the final weeks of 2024, we’re revisiting the Top 5 Most Downloaded Episodes of the Year. Each Tuesday, we’ll re-release one standout episode, starting with the fifth most popular and building up to the fan favourite at No. 1. To kick things off, we’re thrilled to revisit a milestone moment: our 50th episode featuring Bob James, Chief Operating Officer of Lloyd’s. This conversation captured the attention of thousands o...
Dec 03, 2024•36 min
In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro speaks with Johan Slabbert, an Independent Senior Advisor for Insurance Advisory Partners, to delve into the transformative impact of AI and data analytics on the insurance industry. With over 30 years of international experience, Johan has held key executive roles, including CFO for Latin America and the Caribbean at AIG and CEO positions at Augustus Specialty, Chaucer Group, MS Amlin, and MSIG Holdings. Johan’s global journey has undoubt...
Nov 19, 2024•32 min•Season 6Ep. 4
In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro speaks with Jillian Slyfield, the Chief Innovation Officer at Aon, a global leader in risk management and insurance solutions, helping organisations tackle complex risks with innovative, data-driven approaches. With years of experience at the forefront of technological change, Jillian has a unique perspective on how data is reshaping the insurance landscape and driving new opportunities for clients and insurers alike. Together, Juan and Ji...
Nov 05, 2024•42 min•Season 6Ep. 3
In this special episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro engages an esteemed panel of insurance industry experts during InsTech’s recent Beyond Theory event in London. The panel features James Wright, Head of Technology at Beazley; Henrik Bjørnstad, Managing Director of National Markets at Markel International; and Jason Howes, Chief Transformation Officer at Allianz Insurance. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of commercial insurance, with a particular focus on digital trans...
Oct 22, 2024•38 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Making Risk Flow is back for its sixth season! In the first episode of the new series, host Juan de Castro speaks with Bettina Dietsche, Chief People and Culture Officer at Allianz Group, one of the world's largest and most diversified insurance and asset management companies. Bettina is a global executive with over 25 years of international experience in leading and managing business, sales, and operational divisions in the financial services, insurance, and IT industries. Together, Juan and Be...
Oct 08, 2024•38 min•Season 6Ep. 1
While we take a seasonal break over the summer, we're excited to bring you a special series of Greatest Hits episodes! These episodes highlight the most impactful discussions from past seasons of Making Risk Flow; offering both new listeners a chance to catch up on the essential conversations that have shaped our industry, and long-time followers an opportunity to revisit the insights that continue to resonate today. We hope you enjoy revisiting these highlights, and we look forward to bringing ...
Sep 24, 2024•39 min
While we take a seasonal break over the summer, we're excited to bring you a special series of Greatest Hits episodes! These episodes highlight the most impactful discussions from past seasons of Making Risk Flow; offering both new listeners a chance to catch up on the essential conversations that have shaped our industry, and long-time followers an opportunity to revisit the insights that continue to resonate today. We hope you enjoy revisiting these highlights, and we look forward to bringing ...
Sep 10, 2024•36 min
While we take a seasonal break over the summer, we're excited to bring you a special series of Greatest Hits episodes! These episodes highlight the most impactful discussions from past seasons of Making Risk Flow; offering both new listeners a chance to catch up on the essential conversations that have shaped our industry, and long-time followers an opportunity to revisit the insights that continue to resonate today. We hope you enjoy revisiting these highlights, and we look forward to bringing ...
Aug 27, 2024•45 min
In the final episode of Season 5 of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro sits down with James Platt, Co-Founder and Operating Partner of Trimstone Partners, a boutique strategy consulting business focused on supporting major strategic change in the insurance, asset and wealth management industries. James has an illustrious career in operational transformation and technology innovation, having played pivotal roles as a consultant and partner at Boston Consulting Group and as the CEO of Digital S...
Jul 09, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 14
In this episode of Making Risk Flow, Juan de Castro speaks with Bob Gadaleta, Executive Vice President at Twin Maples Speciality, a new division of Starr Insurance designed to focus on serving mid-market businesses through wholesale brokers in the US. Bob joined Starr to assume this newly created position, bringing over 29 years of insurance industry experience in underwriting and field sales leadership, including stints at Hiscox and AIG. Over the course of their conversation, Juan and Bob disc...
Jun 25, 2024•24 min•Season 5Ep. 13
In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro speaks with Stephane Flaquet, the Group Chief Operations and Technology Officer at Hiscox. Stephane is a financial services professional with broad experience in all aspects of operations, technology, and change management. Stephane’s love for the industry spawns from the social purpose of insurance, and the responsibility of protecting clients' assets, as well as the industry's ability to be a great place to combine people and technology....
Jun 11, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 12
In this milestone 50th episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro is joined by Bob James, the Chief Operating Officer of Lloyds. Bob is a seasoned senior insurance executive who has left an indelible mark on the insurance industry. He’s held C-suite positions in leading U.S. and International insurers, and is member of the Board of Trustees for The Institutes, a leading provider of insurance education. During the course of their conversation, Juan and Bob delve into the evolving nature of ...
May 28, 2024•36 min•Season 5Ep. 11
In the latest episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro speaks with Emmanuel Clarke. Emmanuel wears many hats, including serving as Chairman of the Board at the BMS Group and Compre Group, and as a Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Company. Industry insiders speak of Emmanuel as a living legend in the insurance sector. With over 30 years of experience in the industry and multiple enterprise leadership roles, Emmanuel is a performance-driven, strategic, and execution-focused leader with a p...
May 14, 2024•34 min•Season 5Ep. 10
In this episode of Making Risk Flow, host Juan de Castro is joined by Arslan Hannani, a Vice President at Travelers, to discuss the role culture plays in driving innovation in the insurance industry. With Travelers being a 165-year-old global insurance company, Arslan firmly understands the importance of evolving in the space. Together, the pair discuss how the innovation team works closely with business units to achieve growth, ways to get over the challenging innovation hurdles of capacity and...
Apr 30, 2024•36 min•Season 5Ep. 9
