The Leadership in Insurance Podcast - Insurtech & Innovation

This week's episode features Dan Grimwood-Bird, Head of Insurance at Nauto, an AI company at the forefront of commercial auto safety technology.
This conversation covers everything from cutting-edge AI to the deeply human side of our industry.
Dan shares how Nauto's AI-powered device is transforming fleet safety by tackling the root cause of the problem: with 70% of collisions caused by driver distraction or inattention, Nauto's windscreen-mounted system identifies risks in real time, alerts drivers, and provides critical video evidence for claims. The results? Significantly lower collision rates across commercial fleets.
The conversation goes much deeper than technology. Dan and host Alex explore:
🚗 The road to autonomy — how Nauto is bridging the gap between human-driven and fully autonomous vehicles, and why CEO Stefan Heck has called AI the biggest leap in motor safety since the seatbelt — a vision now accelerated by Nauto's recent partnership with Qualcomm
🤝 The broker opportunity — why the most forward-thinking brokers are moving beyond renewals and actively managing risk for clients and insurers alike
🎙️ "Humanizing Insurance" — Dan shares the story behind his own podcast, sparked by a dinner with Ema Roloff that ignited a passion for storytelling and a mission to showcase the genuine intentions and diverse backgrounds of insurance professionals
💡 First mover advantage — why understanding emerging technologies early is non-negotiable, and why there is simply no second mover advantage in today's landscape
❤️ The human connections that define our industry — Dan reflects on why sharing real, personal experiences matters more than ever, and how the relationships built within insurance are among its greatest, most underappreciated strengths

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This week's episode features a fascinating conversation with Melissa Collett, CEO of Insurtech UK — the only trade association dedicated to representing the UK's thriving Insurtech sector.
Since starting in 2018, Insurtech UK has grown from 30 to over 150 member companies, working alongside 50 partners and insurers to advocate for and connect the entire insurance value chain. Melissa brings a deep understanding of where the sector has come from, and where it's heading.
In this episode, Alex and Melissa explore:
🔹 Why the UK punches far above its weight in Insurtech: home to the highest number of Insurtechs per capita globally and second only to Silicon Valley in unicorn production
🔹 The shift in how Insurtech companies are structuring themselves - as many move away from regulated models towards SaaS - and what's driving that change
🔹 The real challenges facing Insurtechs trying to scale, particularly in retail insurance, where building a customer base demands patience that investors don't always have
🔹 The UK vs US dynamic: why UK companies so often need to establish a US presence to unlock investment and growth, and what initiatives like the UK-Connecticut Corridor are doing to ease that path
🔹 The economic powerhouse hiding in plain sight: the UK Insurtech sector is worth over $20 billion to the UK economy, underpinned by the sophistication of UK consumers, the presence of institutions like Lloyd's, and London's unmatched global position
🔹 What's coming next for Insurtech UK, including a parliamentary reception at the House of Lords and a global accelerator programme launching in April
Whether you're building an Insurtech, investing in one, or working within the broader insurance ecosystem, this episode offers a sharp and honest look at the state of the sector, and the opportunities that lie ahead.
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The latest edition of The Leadership in Insurance Podcast, features Alex Bond in conversation with Tony Lew, co-founder of Insurtech New York, in an insightful conversation about the future of insurance technology and the critical role of human engagement in an AI-driven industry.
Key highlights from this episode:
🔹 The Human Side of Insurance - Tony discusses why Insurtech New York's 2026 conference theme focuses on ensuring technology augments rather than replaces human interaction across the insurance value chain
🔹 Insurtech New York's Ecosystem - Learn about their multifaceted approach including a 1,000-person annual conference, corporate innovation programs, MGA accelerator, and venture capital fund
🔹 Conference Strategy - Why they've deliberately maintained a 1,000-person limit to balance attracting key industry leaders while enabling meaningful networking opportunities
🔹 Investment Success - Tony shares insights on their VC fund's impressive 21% IRR and approach to backing insurance innovation
🔹 Humanity in the Loop - A thought-provoking discussion on addressing industry fears about AI job displacement and the importance of human involvement in technology deployment and decision-making
The conversation offers valuable perspectives for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, investment, and insurance innovation.
Mark your calendars: The Insurtech New York Conference takes place March 30-31 in New York, featuring dual tracks for P&C and life/health insurance, CEO panels, and startup pitch competitions.
Listen now to gain insights on staying relevant in a rapidly evolving industry. 🎧

#InsurancePodcast #Insurtech #InsuranceInnovation #LeadershipInInsurance #VentureCapital #InsuranceIndustry
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In the latest episode, Alex sits down with Josh Levine, founder and CEO of Cake and Arrow, a design and product innovation firm specializing in the insurance industry. They explore what's really broken in insurance user experience - and how the industry can fix it.
Drawing on Cake and Arrow's own research into Gen Z attitudes, the conversation reveals critical insights for the industry's future.
Key Takeaways:
Gen Z sees insurance as out of sync with reality – They still want stability, but view traditional paths as broken, leading them to create workarounds like emergency funds and side hustles rather than using conventional insurance products
Internal UX is the new battleground – The focus has shifted from customer-facing platforms to redesigning critical internal tools like underwriting workbenches and agent portals, because better employee experience drives better customer outcomes
Insurance has a perception problem with talent – Only 13% of Gen Z are in career roles within the industry, despite insurance offering faster career advancement than many realize
AI is creating an opportunity – As AI reshapes employee experience, there's a chance to make insurance work more engaging and attract the next generation of talent through flexibility, dynamic career paths, and clearer purpose
A must-listen for anyone thinking about digital transformation, employee experience, or how to build products that meet people where they actually are.

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