Alex Bond

The insurance industry is facing a demographic time bomb. By 2026, 400,000+ professionals are expected to leave the workforce in the US alone. That’s not a future problem, it’s already here. After attending a fantastic webinar yesterday ran by Send on “Addressing the Insurance Talent Shortage,” here are a few key takeaways that really stuck with me: 💡 Generational handshakes matter. It’s not just headcount we’re losing, it is deep knowledge, intuition and client relationships. So how do we ensure this is passed down? - I loved the example from Suzanne Bray, bringing in a behavioural scientist to decode the subconscious expertise of senior underwriters. - Reverse mentoring also came up as a smart way to transfer knowledge. 💡 Insurance needs a brand refresh. As Rose Hall, PE said: “It’s time we bring sexy back to insurance.” Let’s spotlight what makes our industry exciting, from insuring satellites to supporting communities through climate events. It’s time to tell our story better. 💡 New skills for a new era. By 2030, 85% of jobs will be new. Tomorrow’s underwriters will need less technical expertise and more: - Critical thinking - Resilience - Digital literacy - Relationship-building AI will handle more but human skills will matter most. 💡 Don’t just focus on graduates. - Mid-career professionals from sectors like banking bring valuable, transferable skills. - Returner programmes are working so let’s do more of that. 💡 Leadership must evolve. Current leaders are still learning digital, while Gen Z and Gen Alpha are growing up AI-native. We need to build intergenerational bridges and not skip over them. Final thoughts: - Be proud to work in insurance. - Rethink traditional hiring paths. - Make flexibility part of your value proposition. - Capture knowledge before it walks out the door. - Innovate with purpose, not just for show. #InsuranceIndustry #TalentShortage #FutureOfWork #Leadership #AIinInsurance #InsuranceCareers

37

4 Comments

GreatInsuranceJobs.com Launches the Insurance Talent Network at RiskWorld 2025. A Bold New Platform Connecting Insurance Employers and Talent—Directly, Authentically, and Affordably   CHICAGO, IL – May 5, 2025 — Today, live from RiskWorld 2025, industry leader GreatInsuranceJobs.com officially launched the Insurance Talent Network, a new recruiting platform designed to transform how insurance employers and job seekers connect. Built on over 24 years of experience in the insurance hiring space, the Insurance Talent Network is a nationwide collection of niche job sites, including ClaimsJobs.com, UnderwritingJobs.com, InsuranceSalesJobs.com, and more , unified by a simple yet powerful idea, no middlemen, no fluff, just direct, authentic connections.   “For far too long, the job search process in our industry has been filled with unnecessary barriers,” said Roger Lear, CEO of GreatInsuranceJobs.com. “We're changing that by giving job seekers direct access to employers, and giving employers a hands-free, affordable way to post every job across the entire network.”   Unlike aggregators and job boards that mask employer identities or force candidates through confusing hoops, the Insurance Talent Network provides a seamless, transparent experience. All applications go directly to the employer, and job postings are distributed automatically across the network using advanced technology and automation.   Employers also benefit from year-round exposure, customized branding options, and access to the Insurance Influencer Network, a one-of-a-kind initiative that will promote jobs across social media through trusted industry creators.   Another powerful leg of the network is InsuranceStaffing.com, which has delivered contract, temporary, and direct hire solutions to the insurance industry for over 25 years, offering on-demand talent beyond traditional job posting.   Visit https://lnkd.in/eSc-nuaB for more information and to watch the official ribbon-cutting video from the RiskWorld conference floor.

23

5 Comments

The insurance industry is facing a talent gap like never before I hear this from clients every week. The market is tight, top talent is passive, and hiring timelines are shrinking. Posting a job online is great (LinkedIn also charge a nice fee for this) but it's reactive and with the "click to apply" function, you'll probably get applicants that are irrelevant. I had a client who put a LinkedIn advert out there. The role was dormant for 4-weeks with 60+ applicants. None of which had the qualifications let alone the experience. Zero interviews. We had a catch up Teams call and I showcased a resume of someone I knew was passive, but this role was perfect for them. Interview request right there. We firmed the interview for later that week and in the process presented 2x others who were spot on for the role. 2-weeks later, after 3x interview stages, we had an accepted offer. Passive talent are not looking at LinkedIn jobs, or career pages. This is the talent Falcon Group focus on.

52

1 Comment

Big news in the insurance world! 🌐 AIG has announced the acquisition of renewal rights for a significant portion of Everest Group Ltd.'s global retail insurance portfolios, amounting to approximately US$2 billion in aggregate premiums. This strategic move is set to bolster AIG's general insurance portfolio without the need for additional capital. Peter Zaffino, Chairman and CEO of AIG, highlights the value of these portfolios, promising smooth transitions for clients and brokers. Meanwhile, Everest Group is refocusing on its core reinsurance and specialty insurance businesses, with Jim Williamson, President and CEO, pointing to a streamlined, high-performing future. AIG is planning to start writing policies for these portfolios from 1 January 2026, with EU portfolio expansion anticipated in the first quarter of the year pending regulatory approval. This acquisition stands to benefit both organisations, aligning with their strategic goals and setting the stage for future growth. Kudos to all involved! 📈 #insurance #AIG #EverestGroup

18

2 Comments

Insurance market feels busy again. Plenty happening across broking, specialty and distribution. Gallagher bringing Woodruff Sawyer fully under the brand shows consolidation is still very much alive. Private equity interest in brokerage hasn’t slowed either — if anything, confidence looks strong. AXA XL announcing promotions in specialty lines is another reminder that deep expertise still wins in this market. The technical talent gap isn’t going anywhere. On the data side, Verisk reporting continued high shopping activity in auto insurance tells us clients remain price sensitive. Retention and pricing strategy are going to be key themes this year. What I’m seeing overall: – Ongoing M&A momentum – Continued demand for strong specialty operators – Heavy focus on data, analytics and operational efficiency – Real competition for top-tier change and transformation talent 2026 won’t be slow. The market is active — but the winners will be the ones who move quickest. Interested to hear what others are seeing. #insurance #londonmarket #specialtyinsurance #recruitment

28

New Boardroom Series episode drops tomorrow, and it reflects how quickly board expectations are shifting in insurance. I’m joined by a global insurance and reinsurance leader who’s made a very intentional move into board work, including a recent appointment to a listed insurtech board. We talk about what changes when a technology-led insurer reaches a different stage of maturity, when governance, risk, and decision-making start to carry a different weight. We also get into the MGA landscape and why growth doesn’t always mean becoming a carrier. There’s also a thoughtful discussion on emerging risk: what boards should be asking now, where blind spots tend to appear, and how directors stay current without drifting into operational detail. I’ll share the episode link tomorrow. #boardroomseries #insurtech #insuranceleadership

10

2 Comments

The moment PE-backed insurers feel the most pain isn’t acquisition or exit. It’s month 6–18. Integration pressure. Data promises unmet. Underwriting and tech teams out of sync. Boards asking why timelines are slipping. That’s when “good CVs” stop helping and execution capability becomes the constraint. Insurance doesn’t forgive slow learning curves.

20

2 Comments

In a new report, Howden Re reveals that the European (MGA) ecosystem is growing at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 23%, outpacing both US and global benchmarks. There are over 650 MGAs across Europe with approximately €18 billion in gross written premiums in 2024 alone, which makes the market’s potential substantial yet largely untapped. The European (MGA) market is undergoing rapid growth and evolution, driven by digital transformation, shifting risk appetites, and increased demand for specialised underwriting. Talent has become a central lever for success in this landscape. With an ageing workforce it's nice to see some of our proposed strategies start being implemented by the wider market. More on this in the next post. If you need help growing a healthy pipeline of MGA talent we should chat! #MGA #Insurtech #europe #growth #talent #underwriting #AI #tech https://lnkd.in/eQUmQBMP

13

*INDUSTRY UPDATE* IQUW Group's acquisition by Starr Insurance Holdings is making waves in the insurance sector! 🌍 - IQUW operates with approximately $1.9 billion in gross written premiums across Lloyd's syndicates. - The acquisition will merge Starr's global specialty insurance with IQUW's established Lloyd's presence. - Starr will enhance its reach in Bermuda, UK retail motor, and London wholesale markets. Notable leadership updates: - Peter Bilsby, IQUW's CEO, to lead Starr's international business, collaborating with key regional presidents. - Starr Chairman Jeff Greenberg and CEO Steve Blakey highlight the strategic benefits and synergy. The deal, expected to close in the first half of 2026, exemplifies the trend towards consolidation and strategic growth within Lloyd's market, leveraging scale, diversification, and data capabilities. Stay tuned for more updates! #InsuranceIndustry #MarketTrends #StrategicGrowth

15

"No MGAs or Insurtechs, please"... (watch me cook) I just placed a top producing underwriter from a $60B legacy carrier into a 30-person MGA that didn’t exist three years ago. On paper, that kind of leap shouldn’t happen. But it did and here’s how: This underwriter wasn’t on the market. She wasn’t even browsing. She told me I had 5 mins to convince her... We knew immediately: this was someone you don’t recruit, you court. So we brought the executive team in right away. No filters, no warm-ups. One real conversation with someone who could speak directly to ownership, mission, and momentum. That unlocked the door. What followed: multiple rounds of us selling her on the vision, the business, and her role in shaping what underwriting could look like at this stage. No shortcuts. No hype. Just steady, intentional work to build trust. She had real asks, complete clarity on equity, title, trajectory. That’s what happens when someone’s walking away from the safest seat in the house. The offer didn’t come in a template. We didn't need weeks of negotiation or sign offs. In 2 hours, the offer was in hand based on feedback, backchannel notes, and what actually mattered to her. Little did I know, we were far from the finish line. She asked for a list of brokers. (She wanted to hear from all of them.) Multiple nights connecting candidate to broker, broker to recruiter, founder to candidate, recruiter to founder. Tight loop. Zero gaps. We had the final offer on the table before she walked back in the room. She accepted shortly after. 10 days... Start to finish. Lesson learned? You can’t scale chaos. When the talent is this rare, you get it done because timing is everything.

120

15 Comments

600 open claims is an acceptable portfolio size for a Claims Manager. ... said no one ever! Claims Professionals, this one is for you. Here are a few ways to stay effective during those high-pressure times: With high volumes of work, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Focus on the most urgent tasks first, and don’t hesitate to ask for support if needed. Communicate Openly. Let your team and managers know if you’re facing challenges or need help balancing your workload. Clear communication keeps everyone aligned and reduces stress. Busy periods can take a toll on your energy and wellbeing. Take short breaks, hydrate, and look after your mental health, these small steps make a big difference. Offer help to a colleague, share what’s working for you, and lean on each other for motivation. Peak periods are temporary, but the professionalism and empathy you bring to each claim make a lasting impact on the people you serve. How do you stay effective during peak periods? I’d love to hear your tips and experiences. Share them below! 👇 #insurancejobs #claims #insurancerecruitment #careersininsurance

29

Zurich Insurance has agreed in principle to acquire Beazley for up to 1,335p per share, a 60% premium, valuing the transaction at approximately £8 billion. This creates a combined specialty platform with $15 billion in gross written premiums, leveraging Beazley's Lloyd's presence. This represents significant consolidation in the London specialty market, bringing together two major players with complementary portfolios. The deal establishes a formidable UK-based global platform at a time when the Lloyd's market faces increasing competitive pressures. The premium paid signals strong confidence in the combined entity's potential. However, the FCA's anticipated review of the deal's market impact will be crucial, particularly regarding concentration and competition within Lloyd's. With confirmatory due diligence underway and a firm offer deadline of 16 February, the coming weeks will be pivotal. This transaction could catalyse further M&A activity across the sector. It will be interesting to see how this reshapes the competitive landscape. #Insurance #LondonMarket #PepTalk

171

2 Comments

📌 The Fall 2025 Greenwich Group Meeting brought together some of the brightest minds in the insurance industry — and Kelly Donahue-Piro of Agency Performance Partners was right in the spotlight. Her session, “Retention – The Road to 96% Retention Rates,” broke down what it really takes for agencies to hold onto clients in today’s hard market. Kelly shared practical, high-impact strategies, including: 🔹 Identifying client issues early with a streamlined cancellation process 🔹 Measuring retention and connecting it to team accountability 🔹 Using renewal reviews as opportunities for upsells and stronger relationships 🔹 Maintaining regular touchpoints that deepen trust and loyalty 🔹 Delivering WOW service with unforgettable extras that keep clients coming back 💡 The message was clear: growth doesn’t come from chasing new business alone—it comes from protecting and expanding the relationships you already have. 👏 Huge thanks to the Greenwich Group for creating a space where agents can learn, collaborate, and take away strategies to thrive in 2025 and beyond. 👉 Want Kelly to bring this level of insight to your next event? Start here:https://hubs.ly/Q03K23Sd0 #KellyDonahuePiro #AgencyPerformancePartners #GreenwichGroup #InsuranceRetention #AgencyGrowth #InsuranceLeadership #BeRidiculouslyAmazing #APPSpeaking

5

1 Comment