Every year, ACORD evaluates vision, execution, and outcomes to identify the Top Ten Leaders with the greatest current and future ability to change the industry through InsurTech. For our 2020 list, we’re expanding our approach.
This year, ACORD is presenting our InsurTech Leaders list in conjunction with Alchemy Crew, whose co-founder & CEO Sabine VanderLinden has herself been a perennial member of our Top Ten Leaders.
Together, we have identified three key threads driving InsurTech innovation in the current environment. We believe these focus areas will continue to be of profound relevance as we move from 2020 to 2021.
1) Collaboration
For InsurTech, collaboration has always been at the core of the business models that truly drive change and differentiation. Leaders in this space bridge the gap between startups and the large, established players, embracing the benefits of each. Carriers, brokers, and solution providers alike have learned that the most effective path to innovation often lies in co-developing with trading partners along each step of the process, so that business informs technology and vice versa.
2) Sustainability and inclusion
The insurance industry has both an opportunity and an obligation to secure a positive future for both itself and those it serves. Whether providing opportunities within the industry through their own hiring and retention practices, or expanding insurance into underserved markets, these leaders are driving much-needed change. They provide equal access to resources and opportunities to those who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, and are able to meet their own needs without compromising future generations.
3) Global ecosystem-building
Our industry is finally embracing the idea that robust networks, interconnected systems, and global digitization are not optional - they are necessary for efficiency and growth. Ecosystem-building leaders are on the cutting edge of these developments, accelerating the pace of change. They understand the power of network effects, and embrace “coope-tition” with their industry counterparts. They have also begun to collaborate beyond the insurance industry, tapping into new sources of experience and expertise.
ACORD and Alchemy Crew have chosen the Top Ten InsurTech Leaders for each of these key areas. In alphabetical order within each category, they are:
COLLABORATION
Jonathan Beerman - SVP Americas, Chief Technical Accounting & Administration Officer, SCOR
Bill Devine - SVP, Business Capabilities Office, Travelers
Varun Dua - Co-Founder & CEO, Acko
Jennifer Fitzgerald - Co-Founder & CEO, Policygenius
Gabe Glynn - Co-Founder & CEO, MākuSafe
Ian Macartney - SVP, Head of Innovation, Argo Group
Frank Neugebauer - Senior Architect, Cincinnati Financial
Bob Olson - CIO Reinsurance, Aon
Marshall Sims - Senior Product Owner, Agent Engagement & Integrations, Liberty Mutual / Safeco
Assaf Wand - Co-Founder & CEO, Hippo
SUSTAINABILITY & INCLUSION
Dame Inga Beale, DBE - Former CEO, Lloyd’s of London
Tahir Farooqui - Founder & CEO, Canopy
Guy Goldstein - Co-Founder & CEO, Next Insurance
Liri Halperin - Co-Founder & CEO, LeO
Carolina Klint - Managing Director & Risk Management Leader, Continental Europe, Marsh
Tulsi Naidu - CEO, Zurich Insurance UK
Sten Saar & Harry Franks - Co-Founders, Zego
Rain Takahashi - Founder & CEO, Jauntin
Tobias Taupitz - Co-Founder & CEO, Laka
Julian Teicke - Co-Founder & CEO, wefox
GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM-BUILDING
James Birch - Development Director, Ki Insurance and Head of Innovation, Brit Insurance
Aldo Capurro - CEO, C Consulting
Joe Dainty - AGM London Market Transformation, DXC Technology
Emmanuelle Ganne - Senior Analyst, Economics & Statistics Division, World Trade Organization
Pascal Lehmann - Head of Americas Operations – P&C Business Management, Swiss Re
Shuja Noorani - Chief Marketing Officer, Anoud Technologies
Jonathan Prinn - Managing Director, BGC Partners
Ian Summers - CEO, Sequel
Henri Winand - Co-Founder & CEO, AkinovA
Paul Wishman - Vice President, Global Insurance, CGI
The unique challenges of 2020 haven’t changed the fundamental realities of the digital landscape, or the execution imperatives for our industry - they’ve spotlighted previously existing issues, created a sense of urgency, and accelerated change. These leaders will play a key role in moving our industry forward.
Also, check out our previous years’ lists:
