InsTech - insurance & innovation with Matthew Grant & Robin Merttens

Jack Miller, Co-founder & CEO: nettle: Reinventing risk engineering with AI (384)

Introduction In this episode, Robin Merttens is joined by Jack Miller, CEO and Co-founder of nettle, to explore how generative AI is being applied to one of insurance’s most complex and resource-constrained challenges: risk engineering. Jack shares how his work at McKinsey, leading AI transformations for insurers, exposed him to the inefficiencies in assessing commercial property risks and how that inspired Nettle’s founding. From mass retirements of risk engineers to the reality that most properties are never physically assessed, Jack outlines why the status quo is unsustainable and how AI can help underwriters make faster, more informed decisions without sacrificing depth or judgement. He explains how nettle is already working with insurers like Allianz to roll out configurable, production-ready tools that reduce manual burden, unlock previously inaccessible insights and integrate directly into existing underwriting platforms. In this conversation, Jack shares: * Why risk engineering is facing a capacity crunch and how that affects underwriting quality * The surprising statistic that sparked nettle’s creation: 97.5% of properties are never visited * How generative AI can enhance, not replace, expert judgement in high-value underwriting * Why depth, not breadth, is the key to building meaningful AI solutions in insurance * Lessons from building a product insurers can implement in weeks not years * The importance of involving underwriters in AI adoption from day one * What most insurers get wrong about pilots, procurement and “proper” GenAI strategies * How nettle’s partnership with Allianz helped shape a scalable, enterprise-ready product * Why commercial P&C is the perfect proving ground for next-generation InsurTech If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Jack Miller [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-nettle/] or Robin Merttens on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinmerttens/]. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter [https://www.instech.co/sign-up-to-the-instech-newsletter/] for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.

Richard Gunn, President & CRO: hyperexponential: What it takes to scale insurtech across markets (383)

In this episode, Richard Gunn, President & CRO at hyperexponential, joins host Matthew Grant to share the inside story of hyperexponential's expansion journey from the UK to the US, and how the company is reshaping pricing and underwriting in the insurance sector. Richard reflects on seven years at hyperexponential, starting as the first non-engineering hire to now leading a fast-growing US team in New York. He explains how hyperexponential has evolved from a pricing platform into a broader decision infrastructure provider, with tools spanning triage, portfolio intelligence and AI-powered underwriting support. In this conversation, Richard shares: * Why hx's "pro-code" platform sits between build vs buy, offering flexibility without compromising enterprise-grade credibility * How the team landed major US clients before even setting up a US office * The strategic lessons behind building trust with US insurers, from culture to communication * The practical impact of generative AI and "vibe coding" in hx's product development and internal operations * Why hx believes AI isn't about replacing roles but redrawing their boundaries to boost effectiveness * What it's like to move across the Atlantic with a young family while scaling a tech business * How New York's transient tech culture supports rapid networking and hiring * His predictions on shifting insurer priorities from growth to profitability Resources & Mentions: * AI Daily Brief (podcast recommendation) * Book: Papillon by Henri Charrière * Previous guests: Amrit [https://www.instech.co/knowledge-centre/amrit-santhirasenan-co-founder-ceo-hyperexponential-pricing-decision-intelligence-for-insurers/] (hyperexponential Co-founder & CEO), Marcus Ryu [https://www.instech.co/knowledge-centre/beating-the-odds-revealing-the-secrets-of-successful-entrepreneurs/] (Co-founder and Chairman at Guidewire and Partner at Battery Ventures) If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Richard Gunn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-g-78017b19/] or Matthew Grant on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjggrant/]. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter [https://www.instech.co/sign-up-to-the-instech-newsletter/] for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.

Tim Hardcastle, CEO & Co-founder: INSTANDA: What it really takes to change insurance from the inside out (382)

In this episode, Robin Merttens is joined by Tim Hardcastle, CEO and Co-founder of INSTANDA, to reflect on what it takes to turn a contrarian vision into a global insurtech platform and what the next decade of innovation might look like. Tim left a senior role at Hiscox to build a no-code platform for insurers at a time when most said it couldn’t be done. Ten years on, INSTANDA powers operations around the world and is gearing up for its next big leap. This conversation revisits the early sparks of that journey, including a memorable chat at the Royal Exchange, and dives into the personal and professional lessons Tim has gathered along the way. In this conversation, Tim shares: * Why the earliest versions of INSTANDA were built despite zero market demand * How a falling out with a boss became the unexpected catalyst for entrepreneurship * The reality of scaling a tech company in insurance including a motorbike sale to make payroll * Why belief, timing and architecture were crucial to gaining traction * How humility shaped both leadership style and product design * What it means to lead through survival, scale and reinvention * His view on legacy, moonshot AI and the importance of letting go * What’s fuelling his passion ten years in and where the next decade might lead This one is part retrospective, part roadmap and full of insight for anyone thinking long-term about change in insurance. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter [https://www.instech.co/sign-up-to-the-instech-newsletter/] for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) [https://www.cii.co.uk/]. By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: * Describe the early challenges of launching a no-code insurance platform in a sceptical market. * Explain how belief, architecture and timing contributed to INSTANDA’s success and scalability. * Define the role of humility in effective insurtech leadership and product design. If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 382 page [https://www.instech.co/knowledge-centre/what-it-really-takes-to-change-insurance-from-the-inside-out/] of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co [cpd@instech.co] to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9pDG2r3HxjdPhPKLAIJZsS4q1KaV3dJfTx31ohpnCT0chOg/viewform].

Haris Khan & Arved Pohlabeln: Novee: Redesigning underwriting for the specialty market (381)

In this episode, Robin Merttens sits down with Haris Khan and Arved Pohlabeln, co-founders of Novee, to unpack what’s broken in specialty underwriting — and how AI is finally in a position to fix it. Having met as consultants at Deloitte, Haris and Arved kept encountering the same themes: overworked underwriters, inconsistent submissions, and transformation efforts that rarely made a real difference. That frustration turned into action. Today, they’re building Novee — an AI assistant designed specifically for underwriters, combining insight generation with targeted automation. In this conversation, Haris and Arved share: * Why underwriting processes remain complex, fragmented and hard to standardise * What makes specialty submissions so variable — and why every case feels like an edge case * How Novee delivers value in two ways: by surfacing better risk insights and automating manual tasks * Why underwriters are embracing AI tools now — not resisting them * What it takes to get live in weeks, not months, with meaningful value * The real-world impact of extracting information from unstructured submissions * How they raised £1.6 million in seed funding and what they’re doing with it * Why verticalised AI is outperforming generic solutions in insurance * What it means to redesign underwriting interaction patterns — and why inbox to insight is the future * The case for using AI before you fix your data, not after Sign up to the InsTech newsletter [https://www.instech.co/sign-up-to-the-instech-newsletter/] for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) [https://www.cii.co.uk/]. By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: * Describe the real-world challenges underwriters face when working with inconsistent, unstructured submissions. * Define the concept of verticalised AI in the context of specialty underwriting and how it differs from generic AI solutions. * List the specific ways Novee supports underwriters through both insight delivery and task automation. If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 381 page [https://www.instech.co/knowledge-centre/redesigning-underwriting-for-the-specialty-market/] of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co [cpd@instech.co] to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9pDG2r3HxjdPhPKLAIJZsS4q1KaV3dJfTx31ohpnCT0chOg/viewform].

Jonathan Rake, CEO, Risk Data Solutions: Swiss Re: The case for certainty and real-time insight in insurance (380)

In this episode, Matthew Grant sits down with Jonathan Rake, CEO of Risk Data Solutions at Swiss Re, to explore how a major reinsurer is building data and analytics as core capabilities beyond traditional risk‑transfer. Jonathan explains why the shift matters, how analytics are being embedded in real‑time workflows, and what insurers and corporates should focus on as risk becomes more interconnected and dynamic. In this conversation, Jonathan shares: * Why Swiss Re launched Risk Data Solutions and how it leverages internal analytics for client value * How “certainty of insight” and real‑time decision‑making are redefining insurance workflows * The differing risk‑analysis needs of large corporates versus insurers, and what each must prioritise * How Swiss Re approaches partnerships: enabling versus enriching, and why you cannot go it alone * The acquisition of Fathom (UK) and how model‑blending is raising the accuracy bar in catastrophe modelling * His approach to leadership, maintaining balance outside work and keeping pace with change * A bold prediction for 2026 — and the book he recommends to anyone interested in adventure, risk and innovation 'A Voyage for Madmen' by Peter Nichols If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Jonathan Rake [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-rake-aaa8841b/] or Matthew Grant on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjggrant/]. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter [https://www.instech.co/sign-up-to-the-instech-newsletter/] for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) [https://www.cii.co.uk/]. By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: * Specify the tools and workflows that allow insurers to consume insights directly within underwriting platforms. * Measure the business case for embedding analytics in risk workflows versus maintaining separate data functions. * Produce a clearer understanding of how large insurers are operationalising resilience through data, modelling and partnerships. If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 380 page [https://www.instech.co/knowledge-centre/the-case-for-certainty-and-real-time-insight-in-insurance/] of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co [cpd@instech.co] to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9pDG2r3HxjdPhPKLAIJZsS4q1KaV3dJfTx31ohpnCT0chOg/viewform].