Insurance Insider - Behind the Headlines – Details, episodes & analysis

Listen in as Dale Underwriting's CEO Duncan Dale discusses expansion plans following landmark CVC deal and gives his views on the casualty market. Dale also outlines his ambition to partner with third parties through the company's managing agency. 

Plus, Insurance Insider Editor-in-Chief Catrin Shi brings you the latest on the property market following the launch of a new Marsh facility. 

Insuring the transition is frequently touted as a major growth opportunity, but when it comes to renewable energy, complications abound. Natural catastrophe, evolving technology, and data scarcity all add to the complexity of underwriting in the class. GCube's Fraser McLachlan has been operating in the renewables sector over several market cycles, and gives his insight on the latest dynamics in the class. 
Plus, Insurance Insider editor Fiona Robertson digests the highlights from first half earnings season in London, after another set of strong results for listed insurers.  

Insurance Insider lead reporter Rachel Dalton runs down the key highlights of the 1.4 reinsurance renewals as capacity returned to the market. Howden Re's head of terrorism and political violence Sandy Warne explains how the political violence insurance market is responding to a period of war and geopolitical upheaval, in a year when around 40% of the world's population are heading to the polls.  

In this episode:

The latest from the marine market as it weighs up the implications of the bridge collapse in Baltimore. Early indications are the claim could eclipse losses from Costa Concordia, stretching into the billions. 

We also hear from, head of innovation at CFC George Beattie as he breaks down the opportunities CFC sees in the carbon market, following its recent entry into the class of business. 

In this episode:

Insurance Insider editor in chief Catrin Shi helps unpack Lloyd’s preliminary 2023 results, and offers her perspective on Aviva’s acquisition of Probitas. 

Incoming chief underwriting officer at Tokio Marine Kiln Vivek Syal gives his outlook for the business and broader underwriting conditions. 

We also discuss the Tokio Marine Kiln’s view on treaty reinsurance, after it exited the class of business in 2022. Syal said that a potential re-entry is not off the table, if the conditions are right.

Alistair Swift – head of global lines of business, corporate risk and broking at WTW – tells Behind the Headlines we are past the peak of the hard market. 

• Underwriters are like black cab drivers and are only ever going to talk the market up. 
• Growth ambitions are increasing competition and putting pressure on rates. 
• A desire to expand is being driven by broadly adequate rates across most classes. 

Editor-at-large Adam McNestrie provides in-depth analysis for Lloyd’s strategy through to 2025, as Lloyd’s looks to become a $100bn marketplace. 

• The Corporation is going ‘big game hunting’ to attract major global insurers to the market.
• Lloyd’s is looking to capitalise further on the booming excess & surplus market in the US.
• Tensions could emerge around hitting growth ambitions and retaining strong underwriting results, as stellar performance is anticipated for 2023. 

What is the purpose of the Underwriting Room in the post-Covid working world? According to Lloyd's Market Association CEO Sheila Cameron, the Room remains the "beating heart" of the London insurance ecosystem, and there is "overwhelming support" to maintain it. In her role at the LMA, Sheila has a unique insight into what is top of the agenda for all 55 managing agents. Tune in to the podcast to get the latest on Blueprint Two, the state of regulation, and leadership diversity. 

Plus Insurance Insider's Abbie Wood brings you the latest from the cyber market and our perspective on the CrowdStrike situation.

Listen in as Aegis London CEO Alex Powell discusses how to underwrite profitably through the cycle, the carrier’s growth in the cyber market, and the company’s future strategy.

Also in this episode, Insurance Insider's Rachel Dalton discusses developments in the Japanese broking market. 

Listen in as Luis Prato, president of the UK and MENA for Liberty Specialty Markets, discusses the role of London within Liberty’s global business, the future strategy of the carrier, and the art of risk selection as a driver for performance.

Also in this episode, Insurance Insider Editor-in-Chief Catrin Shi brings you the latest on Lloyd's strategy to build a $100bn market. 

In this episode, Liberal Democratic parliamentary candidate for the City Edward Lucas discusses the importance of financial services in the political debate. Plus, Insurance Insider's team brings you the latest on R&Q's provisional liquidation and large solar losses in the United Arab Emirates.