Behind the Desk...

Dec 04 2023 26 ep. 49 mins 4
Behind the Desk... Podcast artwork

This podcast gets behind the desk of influential leaders in insurance and InsurTech who are driving change and innovation in the sector. Every week, I will meet a new tech leader to find out more about their background and career to date. How they arrived in the insurance space, what they love about the sector, their views on where its headed and a deep dive into the person behind the desk!

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Episode 26: Linda Cooke, CIO at Chaucer

Dec 04 2023 55 mins  
Welcome to another episode of the Behind the Desk podcast. In this episode, I’m joined by Linda Cooke, group CIO (Chief Information Officer) at leading specialty (re)insurance company, Chaucer.  Linda has been working in technology for over 25 years and joined Chaucer a year ago in a newly created CIO role. A year into the role, and with over two decades of experie

Episode 25: Paul Brotzel, previous Chief Information Officer at Aon

Nov 26 2023 52 mins  
Welcome to Episode 25, Season 3 of the Behind the Desk Podcast! Join me as I chat with Paul Brotzel, who has recently left his role as CIO at Aon in the UK. Paul has a huge amount of technology leadership experience, having led technology functions for over 20 years. He's spent the last nine years working for Aon in CIO positions across various areas of their business. Prior t

Episode 24: Jen Dallas, Capability Transformation Director at RSA

Nov 19 2023 55 mins  
This was the final episode of the previous season of Behind the Desk and officially holds the record for the most listens across the podcast so far - so I thought there was no better time than now to re-release it for those who haven't listened yet!Jen is currently leading a huge TOM redesign and RSA and was a brilliant guest. She is a Women in Technology advocate, STEM ambassador

Episode 23: Louise Marling, Previous Chief Operating Officer at Hiscox

Nov 12 2023 54 mins  
Welcome to Episode 23, Season 3 of the Behind the Desk Podcast! Join me as I chat with Louise Marling, previous Chief Operating Officer at Hiscox. Louise has recently left Hiscox as the COO of their UK retail business and is about to take some time out before she embarks on her next position. Louise has had a variety of experiences throughout her career from starting as an ins

Episode 22: Karen McDonagh Reynolds, CTrO at Velonetic

Nov 05 2023 61 mins  
Welcome to Episode 22, Season 3 of the Behind the Desk Podcast! Join me as I chat with Karen McDonagh Reynolds, Chief Transformation Officer at Velonetic. She is leading arguably the most groundbreaking and pivotal transformation initiatives in the insurance sector - delivering Blueprint II at Velonetic, previously known as the Lloyds Joint Venture. In this episode, we speak a

Episode 21: Graeme Howard, previous Chief Information and Security Officer at Covéa Insurance

Oct 29 2023 62 mins  
Welcome to Episode 21, Season 3 of the Behind the Desk Podcast! Join me as I chat with Graeme Howard, who has recently left his role as CTIO at Covéa Insurance in the UK, to work on some short-term engagements as a non-exec.In this episode, we really find out why Graeme isn't your typical insurance CIO with a typical background. Talking us through his thoughts and history he

Episode 20: Chris Wyard, Chief Data Officer at Beazley

Oct 22 2023 68 mins  
Welcome to Episode 20, Season 3 of the Behind the Desk Podcast! Join me as I chat with Chris Wyard, Chief Data Officer at Beazley. Chris joined Beazley nearly 18 months ago in a key leadership role leading their data strategy as the business embarks on a major multi-year modernisation agenda. Chris has previously spent 12 years working for Allianz where he joined as a grad and

Episode 19: Mike Samra, Chief Technology Officer at the AA

Oct 15 2023 68 mins  
Welcome to the third season, and Episode 19 of the Behind the Desk Podcast! Join me as I chat with Mike Samra, the Chief Technology Officer at the AA. In this episode, we delve into valuable insights from a seasoned leader who recently transitioned from a decade-long career in the London market insurance to a new venture with the AA, where he's been for the past nine months.&n

Episode 18: Jen Dallas, Capability Transformation Director at RSA

Feb 19 2023 55 mins  
In episode 12 of season three of Behind the Desk, I am joined by Jen Dallas who is the Capability Transformation Director at RSA.  Jen is a Women in Tech advocate, STEM ambassador and qualified coach. In this episode, she talks about her views on how we start turning the dial on diversity and inclusion, how the insurance industry compares to the travel industry, the idea

Episode 17: Pravina Ladva, Group Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Swiss Re

Oct 23 2022 35 mins  
In episode 10 of season three of Behind the Desk I am joined by Pravina Ladva, who is the Group Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Swiss Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies. Pravina is one of the most respected technology leaders in the insurance space, and I have been trying to get her on the podcast for a while now. So, undoubtably I enjoyed every secon