Why the Best Insurance Solutions Aren’t Built Alone
One of the things I enjoy most about the Sapiens Insurance 360 podcast is the chance to step back and really look at how our industry is evolving. This is especially true when it comes to how tech, data, and partnerships are working together. In our latest episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew Holdway, Head of Distribution Partnerships for EMEA at Swiss Re. And if you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to modernise in today’s insurance landscape, this is one conversation you’ll want to hear.
Andrew brings a grounded, pragmatic view to the topic. He’s someone who’s been on both sides; inside an insurer and now helping insurers across the globe rethink how they build and deliver value. One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation was this: modernisation isn’t a one-off project. It’s a continuous journey and not something you can (or should!) do alone.
Partnership with Purpose
We talked a lot about the role of partnerships, and not in the generic way the word often gets used. Andrew made a strong case for why insurers need partners who act less like vendors and more like an extension of the team… the ones who challenge ideas, contribute insight, and evolve alongside your goals. With the sheer number of tech and data providers out there, finding the right fit isn’t always easy. That’s why trust, transparency, and a shared understanding of what success looks like matter so much.
Data that Works in the Workflow
A big theme was how to make data actionable. It’s one thing to have access to information, but quite another to embed that data in a way that actually supports decision-making. Andrew shared examples from underwriting and risk assessment, where well-integrated data can reduce manual steps, improve consistency, and free up underwriters to focus on doing what they do best. It’s not just about automation but about empowering people with better tools and insights, right when they need them.
Facing Today’s Risks with Better Intelligence
We also touched on climate change and how it’s changing the game when it comes to risk exposure. As Andrew pointed out, the frequency and severity of natural catastrophes are forcing insurers to get smarter and faster about how they assess and respond to risk. External data and risk intelligence aren’t just add-ons anymore; they’re becoming core to how leading insurers manage portfolios, steer capital, and build resilience into their operations.
Three Questions Insurers Should be Asking
Andrew left us with a few key questions that I think are worth passing on:
- Do I have the right data available, and is it contextualised for the right use case?
- Is my technology helping my people make better decisions, faster?
- Am I getting real value from my partners and not just promises or dashboards?
Simple questions, but the answers can reveal a lot about where you are on your modernisation journey and perhaps what might be missing.
There’s so much more in the full episode, and I won’t spoil the rest. Listen to the full episode here.
As always, thanks for tuning in and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for the latest episodes!
