In this week's episode of Beyond the Desk, Mark Thomas sits down with David Greenwood, Chief Operating Officer at IQUW, a leading Lloyd's specialty underwriter. David shares a rich account of his extensive career, from his early days at the National Rifle Association to his pivotal roles at PA Consulting, Barclays, Tesco Bank, and beyond. Known for his expertise in transformation, David dives into the essential elements that drive successful change, effective leadership, and continuous learning in the fast-evolving insurance industry.

Key Topics Covered:

• Early career experiences and foundational moments
• The journey from project management to executive leadership
• Lessons learned from roles across diverse sectors, including insurance, banking, and consultancy
• Insights on effective transformation and change management
• Navigating the move from interim roles to permanent executive positions
• The future of insurance: Technology, AI, and market differentiation
• Importance of networking, relationship-building, and maintaining curiosity
• Advice for professionals aiming for senior leadership roles

Connect with us:

• Mark Thomas on LinkedIn: Connect Here
• Follow Beyond the Desk on LinkedIn: Follow Here
• Watch Full-Length Video Episodes on YouTube Here
• David Greenwood 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 at www.invectagroup.com

In this week's episode of Beyond the Desk, Mark Thomas sits down with Al Robertson, CTO of ICE InsureTech, to discuss his journey from a passionate developer to an influential technology leader in the insurance sector. Al shares candid stories from his early days at John Lewis Partnership and RSA, through to taking the leap into the startup world and building transformative insurance platforms. With over two decades at ICE InsureTech, Al reveals the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the lessons learned along the way, and his vision for technology's role in the future of insurance.

Key Topics Covered:

• Transitioning from mainframe programming to modern tech stacks.
• Al’s experience moving from corporate roles into the startup environment.
• The critical role of continual learning and personal development.
• Building and scaling technology platforms in the insurance industry.
• Lessons learned through challenging mergers and acquisitions.
• The impact and future of AI in insurance.
• Balancing innovation with governance in a regulated industry.
• Advice for tech professionals considering a move into leadership roles.

Connect with us:

• Mark Thomas on LinkedIn: Connect Here
• Follow Beyond the Desk on LinkedIn: Follow Here
• Watch Full-Length Video Episodes on YouTube Here
• Connect with Al 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 at www.invectagroup.com

In this episode of Beyond the Desk, host Mark Thomas speaks with Nicki Tang, Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Tokio Marine HCC. Nicki shares her fascinating journey into insurance technology leadership, key career decisions, lessons from overcoming challenges, and invaluable advice for aspiring leaders.

• Nicki’s early career decision-making and initial reluctance to enter the IT field
• Her experience at the Bank of England, working on critical systems during Y2K and the Euro implementation
• Transitioning from a technical role to leadership and management, and lessons learned along the way
• Moving across sectors, including roles at EDF Trading and Dentsu Aegis, and what she learned from diverse industries
• The pivotal moment in joining Tokio Marine HCC and ascending to CIO
• Insights into transitioning effectively into a CIO role and how sponsorship from mentors influenced her career path
• Thoughts on the importance of broad experience and flexibility in technology leadership roles
• Challenges balancing motherhood and a demanding career, emphasizing the importance of resilience and perspective
• Nicki’s views on diversity and inclusion within insurance technology
• Practical thoughts on the future of insurance tech, including the impact of AI, automation, and legacy system modernization

Connect with s:

• Mark Thomas on LinkedIn: Connect Here
• Follow Beyond the Desk on LinkedIn: Follow Here
• Watch Full-Length Video Episodes on YouTube Here
• Connect with Nicki 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 at www.invectagroup.com

In this episode of Beyond the Desk, host Mark Thomas sits down with Reno Daigle, CIO and Head of Business Transformation at CNA Hardy. Reno shares an inspiring journey from his early ambitions of practising law to becoming a global leader in insurance technology and transformation. He discusses pivotal career moments, how an MBA shifted his career trajectory, and the vital role of embracing change, technology, and transformation in driving organisational success.

Reno also delves into the evolving insurance landscape, highlighting the profound impacts of AI, automation, and data analytics on the industry's future. He emphasizes the human element in insurance, reminding us of the industry's crucial role in protecting and rebuilding lives.

Whether you're navigating your career or looking to understand technology - driven transformation in insurance, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.

Connect with Us:

• Mark Thomas on LinkedIn: Connect Here
• Follow Beyond the Desk on LinkedIn: Follow Here
• Watch Full-Length Video Episodes on YouTube Here
• Connect with Reno 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 at www.invectagroup.com

In this episode of Beyond the Desk, host Mark Thomas sits down with Matt Griffiths, Head of Cloud at Pheonix Group to explore his fascinating career journey from retail banking to becoming a leader in cloud and technology within the insurance sector.

Matt shares insights into the evolution of his career, the challenges he has faced, and the key lessons learned along the way.

Key Topics Discussed:

• How Matt transitioned from customer-facing roles in banking to strategic technology leadership in insurance.
• The impact of the Northern Rock financial crisis on his career and the valuable lessons it taught him.
• Insights into cloud adoption and AI implementation in insurance and financial services.
• The challenges of digital transformation in both the P&C and life & pensions sectors.
• Key advice for professionals looking to pivot into more technical and strategic roles in insurance technology.
• The significance of a strong, diverse team culture in delivering successful transformation projects
• Future challenges and opportunities in cloud, AI, and digital transformation within insurance

Connect with Us:

• Mark Thomas on LinkedIn: Connect Here
• Follow Beyond the Desk on LinkedIn: Follow Here
• Watch Full-Length Video Episodes on YouTube Here
• Connect with Matt 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 at www.invectagroup.com

In this episode of Beyond the Desk, host Mark Thomas sits down with David, a seasoned Chief Data Officer with a rich background in consulting and insurance. David shares his professional journey, the pivotal decisions that shaped his career, and his thoughts on the evolving role of data in the insurance sector.

From his early days in South Africa to leading data strategy in major insurance firms across the UK and Bermuda, David offers an insider’s perspective on how data-driven decision-making is transforming the industry. We also discuss the impact of AI and GenAI, how organizations are navigating the data landscape, and why structured, trusted data is more critical than ever.

David’s Career Journey – From starting in IT to becoming a CDO, including his experiences in South Africa, the UK, and Bermuda.

Transitioning from Consulting to Industry – The pros and cons of both worlds and why he ultimately chose to settle in the industry.

Data & AI in Insurance – How AI and machine learning are being leveraged in the sector, the importance of structured data, and the challenges of implementing AI-driven solutions.

The Evolution of Data Governance – Why companies are moving away from data silos and back toward a centralized approach.

Leadership & Career Advice – David’s insights on taking risks, building a strategic career plan, and the importance of exposure to different facets of the business.

Connect with Us:

• Mark Thomas on LinkedIn: Connect Here
• Follow Beyond the Desk on LinkedIn: Follow Here
• Watch Full-Length Video Episodes on YouTube Here
• Connect with David 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 at www.invectagroup.com

In this episode of Beyond the Desk, host Mark Thomas sits down with Andrew Passfield, CEO and co-founder of ICE Insuretech, to discuss his remarkable journey from trainee underwriter to leading a successful InsurTech business.

Andrew shares his career story, pivotal moments, lessons learned, and insights on how ICE became a key player in the insurance technology space. They also explore how ICE grew through strategic customer partnerships, the importance of trusting your instincts, and the evolving role of AI in insurance.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Andrew's early career in underwriting and transition into technology
• How playing squash with an IT manager led to a programming career
• Building ICE from scratch after redundancy
• The strategic decision to develop ICE's claims and policy products
• Pivotal wins, including the transformative RSA deal
• The role of AI in shaping the future of insurance and ICE's product evolution
• Advice for aspiring CEOs from a technology background

Connect with Us:

• Mark Thomas on LinkedIn: Connect Here
• Follow Beyond the Desk on LinkedIn: Follow Here
• Watch Full-Length Video Episodes on YouTube Here
• Connect with Andrew 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 at www.invectagroup.com

In this episode of Beyond the Desk, host Mark Thomas interviews Sandra Lewin, a transformation and operations expert, consultant, and host of the successful 100 Women in Insurance podcast.

Sandra shares her fascinating career journey, from growing up in Poland to navigating the Lloyd’s market, moving from broking to transformation, and eventually launching her own consulting career.

They discuss the challenges of change within the insurance sector, the impact of technology on the market, and why embracing diverse career paths is essential for growth. Sandra also dives into her passion for community-building and advocating for women in the industry.

Key Topics Covered:

✅ Sandra’s unconventional route into insurance and transformation

✅ Transitioning from broking to operations and project management

✅ The evolution of technology in insurance & the future of transformation

✅ How insurance can better market itself to attract top tech talent

✅ Why personal branding and networking are career game-changers

✅ The inspiration behind 100 Women in Insurance and the impact it’s making

✅ How businesses can balance flexible working with networking and career development

Connect with Us:

• Mark Thomas on LinkedIn: Connect Here
• Follow Beyond the Desk on LinkedIn: Follow Here
• Watch Full-Length Video Episodes on YouTube Here
• Sandra on LinkedIn: Connect Here
• Check out 100 Women in Insurance on Linkedin Here - also available on Apple/Spotify

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with colleagues who might find it valuable!

Thanks for tuning in—see you next time on Beyond the Desk! 🎧