Speakers

Chris Andrew brings over 20 years of experience delivering AI and analytics-based solutions in fraud, financial crime and claims automation across the insurance and banking industries. As part of the Mind Foundry commercial team, Chris works with insurance clients to deliver state-of-the-art AI solutions that help tackle high-stakes problems, focusing on human outcomes and the long-term impact of AI interventions. 

Passionate about creating and trading novel insurance solutions that address the evolving needs and challenges of the industry’s clients, George Beattie joined CFC as Head of Innovation in January 2023.

Leveraging CFC’s cutting edge technology and data science, George leads a team focused on breakthrough product innovation designed for the risks of tomorrow including climate, intangible assets and emerging technology. 

Prior to joining CFC, George established and led the incubation underwriting function at Beazley for just over two years having spent almost four years at Willis Tower Watson as head of product recall, environmental liability and reputational risk.

Paul joined AXA in May 2023 as UK & Ireland Chief Data and Analytics Officer to design and implement a Data & Analytics strategy, centred around ensuring data is at the centre of helping the UK & Ireland businesses achieve their business strategies. 

Paul has 22 years of experience in bringing together the brightest and smartest minds to create data and analytics teams that have transformed some of Britain’s biggest financial services companies. (RBS/NatWest, Hastings, HBOS and Lloyds to name but a few). 

With his origins as an analyst, experience gained across pricing, risk and customer analytics has given a strong ability to drive commercial value from data products, ensuring that partnerships with stakeholders and customers is at the heart of data product design. 

Alongside this, experience in successfully delivering large Data Transformation programmes has ensured he can effectively lead transformations of data and analytical capabilities across large enterprises.

This is backed up by a strong reputation as a leader who develops teams to become highly effective in how they work closely with stakeholders to focus on value and deliver business outcomes.

When not elbows deep in data, Paul lives in South West London with his wife, Claire and two daughters, Lottie and Kitty (and Oscar, their cat!)

Carys Lawton-Bryce is the Chief Operating Officer for the international division of Markel, where she is responsible for the build-out, strategy, and day-to-day management of the operations function. Since joining Markel in August 2021 her focus has been on enhancing operational capabilities including underwriting and claims tools, delivering a data strategy, and working with partners to develop digital distribution platforms, relevant to the London market. Prior to this, she has 17 years of experience in the insurance industry holding leadership roles across operations, change, and IT.

Jonathan leads the data science team at Zurich UK. His team works on driving innovation using artificial intelligence and machine learning across the business, working closely with colleagues across the company to drive value.

Before Zurich, Jonathan worked in academic research, searching for dark matter using advanced statistical methods. He is passionate about delivering tangible impact from AI in the financial sector, as well as communicating AI topics in a clear and concise way.

Andy Fawcett is the Lead Product Manager for Insurance at Mind Foundry. Andy has a proven background in building products for FTSE100 companies across multiple industries and countries, including banking, general insurance, payments, and energy.

At Mind Foundry, Andy looks after the development of AI solutions within the insurance space, as well as overseeing the building of Motion, Mind Foundry’s platform for AI governance and continuous learning.

Chris joined Allianz in 2022 as Chief Data & Analytics Officer. In this role he is responsible for growing capabilities in data and pricing and delivering a single data & analytics strategy across Allianz Commercial. He has since taken on the additional role of Chief Underwriting Officer.  He joined Allianz from Willis Towers Watson, where he was senior director, responsible for the commercial lines pricing, product, claims and underwriting consulting proposition. Prior to this, Chris was with Zurich Insurance for 13 years in various pricing and underwriting roles.

Swati has a proven track record for successfully delivering leading digital transformation, process optimisation, innovation programmes within the General Insurance, London Market Insurance, Telecommunications and Technology sectors honed over the last 20 years. Swati was on the Executive Committee and in her role as the CIO, was responsible to devise, continuously adapt and drive the Data & IT strategy, and to head the delivery of key strategic projects to accelerate the success of businesses.

Former solicitor and insurance professional Felix Wong has contributed significantly to driving diversity and inclusion initiatives. At Allianz UK he co-founded ENRICH, the multicultural network, as well as advising several countries on setting up their own employee resource groups (ERGs) and co-founded the global Allianz multicultural ERG. He has been recognised as a Top 100 EMpower Ethnic Minority Future Leader since 2021 for his commitment to promoting DEI in the workplace.

Why are you involved in iCAN?: I am involved in iCAN to help tackle the lack of representation of leaders from culturally diverse backgrounds, lack of multicultural specific Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s) and lack of role models from a multicultural background. Also to work with mentors and interract with like minded individuals who see the benefit of a diverse and inclusive industry.

Catherine joined the insurance industry six years ago and has experience in talent acquisition processes, leading strategic operations and managing people change projects. During her career, she has developed DEI toolkits and guides as well as inclusive recruitment training programs which ignite change. Catherine is passionate about tackling complex organisational and talent management issues to maximise the potential and success of people.