Archives: Speakers

Daniel Pearce is a Senior Analyst at GlobalData and developed a passion for analytics whilst studying for his degree in Economics at the University of Portsmouth. Following graduation Daniel aims to provide clients with insight into emerging trends in the insurance industry, enabling them to be at the forefront of market developments. He believes research and analytics are fundamental in influencing the future of the insurance industry.

Michele is the Head of XSE (Cross Functional Smart Evolution) at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty and believes that with an open mind, a vision, and ambition for change, anything is possible! With a diverse background that culminates in her current role, Michele is charged with delivering change and has the remit to explore and experiment with data, technology, and partnerships, in order to drive transformation and innovation throughout the organization.

In 2021, after a 25-year career in research and analysis, over half of which was focused on the energy transition, Stuart started work as a freelancer. He writes regularly on the intersection between emerging technologies and the energy transition, and advises companies on market opportunities

I have been living in the UK for approximately eight years, formerly from South Africa where I completed my degree through the University of South Africa majoring in Strategic Management and Finance. I have worked in Financial Services and Insurance for the past 20 years, holding various titles as I grew my career. I spent about 7 years Consulting within Insurance delivering large scale transformations under the SAP banner, specialising in Claims, Compensation Disbursements and Incentives and Commission management and worked with customers such as Zurich, Axa and the AA, to mention a few. Digital distribution not only impacted the Insurance Industries but also had a huge impact on the consultancies and thus provided me the opportunity to expand the Organisation’s Service Offerings by engaging and working with a number of Insurtech start-ups and new technologies such as Company Journey Analytics. I always had a passion for Data and Analytics, and combining that with Agile “Lean Start-up” principles I started to introduce new ways of working into a very traditional organisation. I now hold the title of Head of Data and Analytics for Aspen Insurance, managing a large globally distributed team delivering to all areas of business which includes Insurance, Reinsurance, Finance and Actuarial.

James is the Digital Artificial Intelligence Theme Lead at AXA XL the largest insurance/re-insurance companies that offer property, casualty, professional and specialty insurance products globally. James has spent the last two years working on the AXA XL Global Technology Digital Program leading research into AI technology and applying it to the world of commercial insurance. Prior to insurance, James spent nearly 20 years working in the Telecoms industry with a focus on Data and Business Intelligence.

Chris built a regional insurance advisory business with $50m revenues. He was Partner and Managing Director for The Boston Consulting Group, Head of Insurance Practice for Asia, and has 15+ years’ experience in the insurance industry in Europe and Asia. He has actively supported the launch of numerous innovative digital insurance businesses. Chris has worked across life insurance, asset management, reinsurance and broking sectors.

Andy started his career in the public sector, working in the NHS and the UK’s Department for Health.  His first role in the insurance industry was at the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, with responsibility for communications on industry databases as well as media handling of wider uninsured driving issues. He joined the British Insurance Brokers’ Association in 2013 and is now responsible for corporate affairs at BIBA, helping to develop the trade association’s influencing policy and represents brokers’ interests to Government. Latterly he has taken responsibility for BIBA’s work on digital innovation; driving forward the trade body’s role in helping the industry make the most of opportunities arising from InsurTech – through BIBA’s cross-industry Innovation Working Group which he set up. 

Twitter: @BIBAAndy 

Name: Andy Thornley     Title: Head of Corporate Affairs

Ed joined Lloyd’s in August 2018 following ten years as a consultant at KPMG and EY, specialising in technology and data.

He now runs the Lloyd’s Lab InsurTech programme which is running its fourth cohort in Spring 2020. His role covers all elements of the Lab programme – from meeting interested InsurTechs and insurers, through to planning and running the ten-week programme with the support of the Lab team.

An outsider to the insurance industry, having spent most of his career working with retail, consumer goods, and government clients, Ed comes with a different perspective which fits his role in the Lloyd’s Lab well.