iNED Augments, Algorithms & Fast Follow facilities – their impact on underwriting and distribution – good or bad?

This Forum will provide delegates with an understanding of the pros and cons of various facilities as we debate the perspectives through the eyes of market luminaries. We will finish with a Q&A session when delegates can put their questions to the market experts.

 

Facilities have been in existence in the London Market for decades. They can provide many benefits to brokers, underwriters and of course, to clients. They can also create conflicts of interest and increased governance. Recently, the market has seen several new types of facilities which use new technology rather than traditional shoe leather broking and quill pen underwriting. Efficient, yes – but what are the real impacts on our industry? Whether you’re a NED for a broking firm or a carrier/MGA, your business will be looking at these alternatives to traditional broking and underwriting.

This Forum is very kindly hosted by the DWF Law team.

The facilitator will be Kelly Lyles, Member of the iNED Committee (NED Convex, Howden and Cytora). 

Key speakers

• Greg Brown ( Partner, Oxbow Partners)
• Simon Delchar ( Global Head of Placement, WTW)
• Stephen Catlin ( Founder and Life President, Convex)
• Calum Williams (Deputy Head of Digital Trading, AEGIS London)
• Simon Murray ( Head of Insurance Digital and Business Services, DWF London)

Speaker(s)

Greg Brown
Partner at Oxbow Partners

Greg leads engagements on digital, operational, and technology strategy and transformation. He spends most of his time in the Lloyd’s and London Market and European retail insurance.

Graduating with a degree in Engineering and Computer Science, Greg has a strong technical background which allows him to give his clients confidence in the feasibility of their strategic choices. CEOs often rely on Greg to look through the hype and advise them on the relevance of technical trends. Topics where Greg’s range of experience comes together include digitisation in the London Market and the impact of Lloyd’s Blueprint 2, strategic choices available to syndicates around the bifurcation of lead/follow, and using technology as a vehicle to drive underwriting transformation.

Greg is a regular commentator on transformation and digital topic, and often speaks at industry events. He has authored many pieces on the Oxbow Partners blog.

Simon Delchar
Global Head of Placement, Willis

Simon has overall responsibility for all placement for Willis.  He joined Willis in October 2024 from Marsh where he was Head of UK Placement. He was previously Head of Specialty for Marsh in Asia, following the acquisition of JLT in 2019.   He has over 40 years’ experience in the insurance industry. 

Stephen Catlin
Founder and Life President, Convex Group

Stephen Catlin began his insurance career in 1973. He founded Catlin Underwriting Agencies Limited in 1984, which later became part of Catlin Group Limited. Stephen served as Catlin Group's Chief Executive throughout its history and also served as the active underwriter of Lloyd's Syndicate 1003 and later Syndicate 2003 until May 2003. He assumed the position of Executive Deputy Chairman of XL Group Ltd from May 2015 (upon the completion of XL’s acquisition of Catlin Group Limited) to May 2017. From May to December 2017, he acted as a special advisor to XL’s Chief Executive Officer, Mike McGavick.

In April 2019, Stephen and Paul Brand founded international specialty insurer and reinsurer, Convex Group Limited. Stephen was CEO and Chairman until June 2022, when he became Executive Chairman. He stepped down as Chairman in March 2026 and became Founder and Life President.

Calum Williams
Deputy Head of Digital Trading, Aegis

With 10 years’ experience in the London insurance market as both a broker and underwriter, Calum now specialises in digital products and distribution. Calum looks after digital product development and product distribution for our API enabled quote and bind platform, OPAL.

Simon Murray
Head of Insurance Digital and Business Services, DWF

Simon has over 25 years' experience in the legal industry and specialises in very large contentious costs disputes. He deals with costs matters involving appeals and fraud where there are technical disputes and indemnity issues.