ALTAWORLD
2025
INSURANCE TECH &
INNOVATION CONFERENCE
Next Step in Your Digital Transformation & Innovation Journey
Date: 24 - 25 April 2025
Location: Novotel London West, London - UK
Conference Room: Chablis Suite
#ITIC2025
AI in Underwriting: Insightful discussions on how AI enhances underwriting efficiency while
addressing concerns about over-reliance and the importance of human expertise.
Cybersecurity Preparedness: Critical conversations on the industry's readiness for evolving
cyber threats, highlighting the need for advanced risk management strategies.
Embedded Insurance: Debates on the disruptive potential of embedded insurance,
emphasizing its ability to enhance customer experience and transform traditional insurance
models.
Climate Risk & Technology: Exploration of how cutting-edge technologies like IoT and AI are
enabling insurers to proactively address climate risks, driving innovation in risk
management.
Humanizing AI in Insurance: Focused on the balance between AI-driven processes and the
need for empathy, stressing that human connection and trust are still essential in the digital
age.
Generative AI for Personalization: Showcasing the role of generative AI in creating highly
personalized insurance products, providing new ways to engage and serve customers.
In recent years, the insurance industry has faced new challenges and opportunities, prompting
companies to break conventional barriers and innovate. The rise of InsurTech has introduced new
business models, strategies, and advanced technologies, enabling companies to take significant
steps in their digital transformation journey.
As insurance leaders chart a new course driven by technological advancements, we at Altaworld
are dedicated to creating an alternative ecosystem built on innovation, digital transformation,
and end-to-end connections.
To stay competitive, insurance companies must accelerate their transformation efforts.
Wondering how to navigate this journey? Join our Insurance Tech Innovation Conference on April
24-25, 2025, where 30+ insurance technology experts will share the latest strategies, insights,
solutions, and innovations to drive your insurance transformation journey!
Meet decision-makers from across the entire insurance value chain, with leaders from technology,
innovation, data, analytics, and more.
Event Overview
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
ALTAWORLD
2025
Day 1: 24th April 2025
8:00 AM - Registration
8:45AM - Opening Remarks
Welcome address by Altaworld and introduction to Chairperson
9:00AM - Panel Discussion: The Role of AI in Underwriting – Efficiency or Over-Reliance?
Moderator: John Pyall, Head of Product, Great Lakes Insurance
Panelists:
Alan Strange, Head of Underwriting & Analytics, Sophro MGA Limited
Tavish Srivastava, Head of Data & Pricing, Admiral Group PLC
John Somerset-Irving, Head of Insurance, V7labs
Tal Potishman, Innovation & Change Director, UK, Markel UK
9:50AM - Cybersecurity Preparedness: Critical conversations on the industry's readiness for
evolving Cyber threats, highlighting the need for advanced risk management strategies.
Eric Alter, Senior Vice President, Risk & Cyber AI Engagement Leader, Marsh
10:25AM - Learn how connected & curated information delivers speed, accuracy, and value in
Insurance
- Importance of Structured Data: Organizing data systematically to manage increasingly
complex client needs
- Automation and AI: Strategies to enhance client experience and streamline operations
- Regulatory Compliance: Supporting compliance with cutting-edge technologies
Yohan Lobo, Senior Industry Solution Manager, M-Files
10:55AM - Morning Refreshments & Networking
11:40AM - Mind the (income protection) Gap
Mike Saltzman, Co-CEO, EvolutionIQ
Paula Coffey, Director of Claims, Rehabilitation and Medical Services, Unum UK
12:10AM - The Future of Embedded Insurance – Hype or Disruption?
John Pyall, Head of Product, Great Lakes Insurance
12:45PM - AI Knowledge for Customer Service Success
Hemal Thaker, Senior Solution Consultant, eGain
13:15PM - Lunch & Networking
ALTAWORLD
2025
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Day 1: 24th April 2025
14:10PM - Panel Discussion: Insurtech Startups vs. Traditional Insurers – Collaborate or
Compete?
Moderator: John Pyall, Head of Product, Great Lakes Insurance
Panelists:
Freddie Scarratt, InsurTech Global Deputy Head, Gallagher Reb
Daniel Severin, Head of Insurance, BOLT
Ed Ackerman, Chief Customer Officer, Qover
15:00PM - Managing risk in digital transformation
James Bent, VP of Solutions Engineering, Virtuoso QA
15:30PM Afternoon Refreshments & Networking
16:10PM - Fireside Chat: Humanizing Insurance in the Age of AI – Is Empathy the Next Big
Differentiator?
Moderator:
Eric Alter, Senior Vice President, Risk & Cyber AI Engagement Leader, Marsh
Panelists:
Valentina Smirnova, Head of Finance Transformation, AXA Partners
Rory Yates, EVP Global Corporate Strategy, EIS Group
16:45PM - Fireside Chat: Navigating the AI Black Box in Claims Processing
Panelists:
Rich Boyd, Managing Director, Voult
17:30PM - Closing Remarks for Day 1
17:35PM - Networking Drink Reception
18:00PM - End of Day 1
ALTAWORLD
2025
Day 1 - SPEAKERS
John Pyall
Head of the Product and Underwriting, Great Lakes
John Pyall is head of the Product and Underwriting department for Great Lakes providing
product oversight and governance for all insurance products, including product approval and
review processes, product design and transition to market and oversight of wordings for Great
Lakes global insurance business. Originally in the legal section of the Munich Re office in London
he returned ten years ago to manage claims in the facilitated business for their direct arm Great
Lakes Insurance, he then headed up their MGA cockpit onboarding new business from a claims
and wordings perspective before transitioning to the new role.
Alan Strange
Head of Underwriting & Analytics, Sophro MGA Limited
Alan is currently Head of Underwriting & Analytics at Sophro MGA Limited, a role he has held for
six years. Prior to this he helped set up a specialist Gibraltar-based insurance company, of which
he was Underwriting Director and then CIO. He has 30 years insurance experience working with
data spanning multiple lines of business. Alan combines extensive insurance underwriting and
pricing experience with data analysis skills to cut through the background noise and provide
technical leaders with the insights they need to succeed.
Tavish Srivastava
Head of Pricing for Travel Insurance, Admiral Group PLC
Tavish is an MBA from INSEAD and Master in Technology from IIT Madras. His core expertise lies in
applying his analytical ability and strategic thinking to solve complex and ambiguous business
challenges through automation, artificial intelligence or process streamlining. He currently works
at Admiral Group as head of Travel Pricing. In his role he is responsible for all risk & retail related
pricing decisions, portfolio reports and managing relationship with affiliate acquisition channels.
He is also a proud co-founder of Analytics Vidhya
ALTAWORLD
2025
ALTAWORLD
2025
Tal Potishman
Innovation & Change Director, Markel UK
As Innovation & Change Director at Markel UK, Tal leads business change and data insights
streams, as well as developing and executing new technology and innovation efforts across the
business. Tal brings over 20 years’ experience as a corporate development & strategy consultant
and a C-Suite advisor focusing on organisational development, rapid transformation and
innovation. As a consultant he worked with McKinsey & Company and independently, serving a
wide range of clients, including clients in business information services and financial services.
Combining an engineering background and solid commercial foundations with natural
analytical curiosity, Tal is leading a wide range of optimisation and efficiency drives across the
business looking at operating models, technology and digital solutions and mindset.
Eric Alter
SVP Risk & Cyber Engagement Leader – UK Corporate, Marsh
Eric has been with Marsh for 18 years and runs Risk & Cyber Engagement for the UK Corporate &
Commercial Business. He has in excess of 29 years risk management experience across both
public and private industry sectors. He works to bring risk to life and identify proportionate and
effective mitigation strategies that support businesses with both insurance and risk
management. Eric specialises in cyber & AI and will provide an overview of what AI is and is not
and how the risks can be identified and managed.
John Somerset-Irving
Head of Insurance, V7labs
John Somerset-Irving is the Head of Insurance at V7, a leading AI company specializing in
computer vision and machine learning automation. Based in the UK, John brings extensive
experience in leveraging emerging technologies to drive innovation within the insurance
industry. At V7, he works at the intersection of AI and insurance, helping organizations streamline
processes and unlock the value of unstructured data through intelligent automation.
Day 1 - SPEAKERS
ALTAWORLD
2025
Day 1 - SPEAKERS
Michael Saltzman
Co-Founder and Co-CEO, EvolutionIQ
Michael Saltzman is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of EvolutionIQ, an AI-powered claims guidance
platform transforming disability and workers’ comp insurance. With prior experience at
Bridgewater Associates and an MBA from Stanford, he combines deep insurance insight with
data-driven innovation. EvolutionIQ was acquired by CCC Intelligent Solutions in 2025
Paula Coffey
Director of Claims, Rehabilitation and Medical Services, Unum UK
Paula Coffey is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in employee benefits and
insurance services. As Director of Claims, Rehabilitation, and Medical Services at Unum UK, she
leads strategic initiatives to enhance customer outcomes and streamline service delivery. Her
leadership reflects a strong commitment to innovation and excellence in the financial services
sector.
Hemal Thaker
Senior Solutions Consultant, eGain
Hemal brings over 20 years of solutions consulting in the technology and customer service
space creating AI knowledge-driven solutions. A firm believer in the power of AI, his focus is on
Agentic and Conversational AI taking companies from the hype and the theoretical to
real-world solutions. He's here to help us understand how these technologies can truly deliver
tangible benefits and add value to our insurance businesses.
Yohan Lobo
Senior Industry Solution Manager, M-Files
Yohan leads the development of our solutions for Financial Services clients following 16 years in
commercially focussed roles within the consumer and B2B payments industry. He has held a
range of key sales, sales-leadership, and commercial delivery roles during periods of rapid
change. He has worked with a range of sectors including business services, local government,
and alternative finance. Yohan has always had a focus on bringing the voice of clients into
product, marketing and operational functions.
ALTAWORLD
2025
Day 1 - SPEAKERS
Daniel Severin
Head of Insurance, BOLT
Daniel Severin is an experienced insurance professional at Bolt, based in Cranleigh, UK. He is
passionate about simplifying complex risks and delivering innovative solutions in the insurance
sector. With a strong background in underwriting and risk management, Daniel brings a client-
focused approach to modernizing insurance services.
Ed Ackerman
Chief Customer Officer, Qover
As a growth- and customer-focused expert, Ed Ackerman has been helping businesses scale
through strategic partnerships for over 15 years – from start-ups like Onfido to established
giants like Google. He started his career as a consultant at Deloitte before joining Google in
London, where he became Head of Channel Partnerships for UK & Ireland. Prior to joining Qover,
Ed was the Director of Alliances and Partnerships at Onfido. At Qover, he went from leading
customer success to becoming Chief Customer Officer – acting as the torchbearer for our
customers, ensuring their voice is central to everything we do.
Freddie Scarratt
InsurTech Global Deputy Head & Mortgage Reinsurance, Gallagher Re
Freddie Scarratt is Gallagher Re’s InsurTech Deputy Global Head, leading the offering in the UK,
EMEA and APAC regions with a focus on client advisory and InsurTech broking. With eight years’
experience in (re)insurance broking, including running Gallagher Re’s mortgage credit
reinsurance solutions team, Freddie aims to bridge the gap between the insurance and
technology sectors and enable clients to capitalize on the vast opportunities presented by the
evolution of InsurTech.
ALTAWORLD
2025
Rory Yates
EVP Global Corporate Strategy, EIS Group
Rory Yates is the Chief Strategy Officer and SVP, Global Head of Strategy at EIS Ltd, a global
provider of core technology platforms for the insurance sector. With over 28 years of experience
spanning digital transformation, innovation, and sustainability, he has held leadership roles at
companies such as DXC Technology, Cognizant, and WPP. Rory is also the founder of Digital
Poverty UK, a charity established to bridge the digital divide during the pandemic.
Rich Boyd
Managing Director, Voult
Rich Boyd is a seasoned technology professional, most recently working to drive claims
improvements in speciality insurance with Lloyd’s, and now as the managing director of Voult;
an AI and data start up. Voult is the faster way to build and evolve digital DA processes –
without ripping out what’s already there. Voult helps you fix what’s broken and launch
what’s next.
Valentina Smirnova
Head of Finance Transformation, AXA Partners
Experienced director with strong international exposure. Specialization: programs of change,
digital & cultural transformation, finding solutions for business challenges, identifying
efficiencies & implementing it. Lead development & implementation of digital solutions for
operations. Global assets, standardization of processes, efficiencies are fav topics!
Day 1 - SPEAKERS
James Bent
VP Solutions Engineering, Virtuoso QA
With over 15 years of experience in technology leadership, James Bent spearheads the
development and delivery of cutting-edge solutions for end-to-end testing of enterprise
business applications. His thought leadership extends to large-scale talks and workshops at
industry events such as Digital Transformation Week, Insurtech Insights, and the National
DevOps Conference, together with appearances on podcasts and webinars for Tech and AI
industry publications.