In this engaging episode, Mike Keating, CEO of the MGAA, speaks with Joel Markham, Director of Schemes and Delegated Authorities at AXA UK. The conversation explores AXA’s forward-thinking approach to talent development, its commitment to collaboration, and how it's leveraging technology to meet evolving industry needs.

Joel shares insights on cultivating new talent, investing in long-term partnerships, building a culture of inclusion, and how AXA is positioning itself to lead in areas like cyber, specialty, and cross-selling. Listeners will get a candid look at what makes AXA’s approach to delegated authority both strategic and deeply human.

Key Quotes “We undersell the breadth of careers that you can have in the insurance industry.”

“We want people to say, ‘I wouldn't have expected AXA to do that.’ That’s the kind of innovation we’re aiming for.”

“Diversity of thought is just as critical as any other kind of diversity in building the future of our sector.”

“We're still investing in talent, even when market cycles change—that's a strategic commitment, not a trend.”

“The fuel for our industry is human connection—we just need to be brave enough to open the door.”

Resources

• MGAA – Managing General Agents' Association
• AXA UK
• AXA Initiatives Mentioned:
  • Data and AI Academy
  • Prevent and Protect (MLP product)
  • Apprenticeship and Talent Development Programs
  • Group for Autism, Insurance & Neurodiversity (GAIN)

About the Guest:

Joel Markham is the Director of Schemes and Delegated Authorities at AXA UK. A passionate insurance advocate, Joel leads efforts to create long-term, trusted partnerships in the MGA space. With a background in underwriting and leadership, he champions innovation, talent development, and diversity, all while ensuring AXA continues to be a reliable and future-ready capacity provider.

Joel Markham | LinkedIn

About the Host:

Mike's extensive expertise in the insurance sector has allowed him to witness and adapt to the dynamic shifts within the industry. Throughout his 40 year career, he has navigated the traditional realms of insurers, brokers, and MGAs (Managing General Agents) across both Commercial and Personal Lines markets.

He has held Executive positions at AXA, Midas, UK General and most recently Insurtech start up Qlaims before becoming Chief Executive Officer at the MGAA in September 2020.

Mike is excited about the new MGAA podcast series, which aims to showcase key figures in the UK insurance industry and beyond, providing insight into the challenges and opportunities that the MGA industry encounters.

Mike's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-keating-230b8424/

In this episode of MGAA Conversations, host Mike Keating speaks with Rinku Patel, CEO of Pine Walk Capital, about the firm's innovative platform model for MGAs. Founded in 2017 and backed by Fidelis, Pine Walk provides experienced underwriters with the infrastructure, support, and operational freedom to launch and scale underwriting businesses. Rinku discusses how Pine Walk blends entrepreneurial freedom with robust capital backing, their approach to governance and risk, and what sets their platform apart in the evolving MGA landscape.

Key Quotes

“We give entrepreneurs real freedom — underwriting freedom and operational support — but we do so in a way that’s disciplined and governed.”

“We’ve created a structure that’s not only attractive to underwriters but also gives confidence to capacity providers and regulators.”

“Our model is very different. We take real ownership of the businesses we back — they carry our name, our compliance standards, and our risk management culture.”

Resources

• Pine Walk Capital Website: https://www.pinewalkcapital.com/
• Fidelis Insurance Group – Pine Walk's strategic parent company Website: https://www.fidelisinsurance.com/

About the Guest

Rinku Patel is the CEO of Pine Walk Capital, an MGA platform launched in 2017 with backing from Fidelis Insurance. With a background in insurance, investment, and operations, Rinku leads Pine Walk’s mission to empower underwriters through a supportive, well-governed infrastructure that combines entrepreneurial freedom with institutional-grade standards.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rinkupatel

About the Host:

Mike's extensive expertise in the insurance sector has allowed him to witness and adapt to the dynamic shifts within the industry. Throughout his 40 year career, he has navigated the traditional realms of insurers, brokers, and MGAs (Managing General Agents) across both Commercial and Personal Lines markets.

He has held Executive positions at AXA, Midas, UK General and most recently Insurtech start up Qlaims before becoming Chief Executive Officer at the MGAA in September 2020.

Mike is excited about the new MGAA podcast series, which aims to showcase key figures in the UK insurance industry and beyond, providing insight into the challenges and opportunities that the MGA industry encounters.

Mike's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-keating-230b8424/

In this episode of MGAA Conversations, host Mike Keating, CEO of the MGAA, sits down with Amit Tiwari, Co-founder and President of Xceedance, to discuss the transformational forces reshaping the insurance industry. From legacy system overhauls to the critical reinvention of claims and talent pipelines, Amit shares actionable insights on how technology – particularly large language models – can unlock long-standing bottlenecks in operations. The conversation also dives into what it will take for the industry to truly attract and retain Gen Z talent and foster a culture that values innovation over tradition.

Key Quotes

• “We don’t create enough awareness or partnership with academia to show the true impact of insurance on the economy.” — Amit Tiwari
• “Claims have long been underinvested in, but they are the real ‘moment of truth’ for customers.” — Mike Keating
• “The biggest challenge is understanding what’s under the hood of 20-year-old systems – and that’s where AI is now changing the game.” — Amit Tiwari
• “To attract Gen Z, we need to be agile, socially aware, and allow room for disruption without fear.” — Amit Tiwari

Resources

• Xceedance – Insurance Solutions & Services
• MGAA – Managing General Agents' Association

About the Guest

Amit Tiwari is the Co-founder and President of Xceedance, a global provider of strategic insurance operations support, technology, and data services. Amit leads transformational initiatives across markets and specializes in claims operations, technology innovation, and global expansion strategies. He is a passionate advocate for reshaping legacy thinking and building the next generation of insurance leaders.

Amit Tiwari | LinkedIn

About the Host:

Mike's extensive expertise in the insurance sector has allowed him to witness and adapt to the dynamic shifts within the industry. Throughout his 40 year career, he has navigated the traditional realms of insurers, brokers, and MGAs (Managing General Agents) across both Commercial and Personal Lines markets.

He has held Executive positions at AXA, Midas, UK General and most recently Insurtech start up Qlaims before becoming Chief Executive Officer at the MGAA in September 2020.

Mike is excited about the new MGAA podcast series, which aims to showcase key figures in the UK insurance industry and beyond, providing insight into the challenges and opportunities that the MGA industry encounters.

Mike's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-keating-230b8424/