In this episode we dive into a frank conversation with Sasha Haco, CEO of Unitary AI, as she unpacks the realities behind automation in insurance. Discover why true transformation isn’t about flashy tech but about smart, practical integration: start small, leverage human-in-the-loop models, and sidestep common adoption errors. Explore which admin-heavy workflows—from claims to underwriting—are ripe for change and how to unlock quick wins. Plus, Sasha shares hard-won advice for women building careers in tech-driven insurance. In a world buzzing with AI hype, get clear-eyed guidance on what works, what doesn’t, and why the human element still matters most. The urgency? Competitive advantage is compounding; don’t get left behind.

Key Quotes:

• “AI is not the right tool for the job in every situation... most businesses wouldn't tolerate a 40% accurate process, which means that AI isn't the right solution the whole way."

• "The businesses that really embrace automation and change and AI are going to be able to scale in a way they've never seen before, and without having to scale their headcount."

• "We're an AI company and use AI every single day, but I think AI is not the right tool always for the job... there's definitely a place for people. We're not going to replace them."

• "I think people need to be careful about confusing automation with AI because actually AI... these models are inherently probabilistic. They're basically making a guess—and a good guess, usually—at every step."

Resources:

www.unitary.ai

https://uk.linkedin.com/company/unitaryai

About the Guest:

Sasha Haco is the co-founder and CEO of Unitary. Unitary automates repetitive manual work with Virtual Agents: robust AI workers that handle complex tasks for operations teams directly in their tools. They support MGAs, brokers and carriers to achieve rapid ROI with 50% cost savings in just a few weeks. Before founding Unitary, Sasha completed a PhD where she worked with Stephen Hawking in Cambridge to solve the ‘information paradox’ of black holes.

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sashahaco

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/

The Accident & Health (A&H) market isn’t just surviving - it’s redefining how MGAs, carriers, and TPAs collaborate and compete. In this episode, Kieran Morrin of HDI UK & Ireland shares what’s powering their growth: a data-centric mindset, tech-enabled efficiency, and a consciously balanced approach to distribution. Hear why AI isn’t a silver bullet, how true partnership can cut frictional costs, and why nurturing talent now is business-critical. Whether you’re navigating soft markets or wrestling with outdated processes, this conversation offers sharp insights and honest takes for anyone committed to staying ahead in specialty insurance.

Key quotes:

• "MGAs have played a real crucial part in that growth. Probably half our portfolio within the UK comes through MGA partners."
• We're a very data-driven organisation. So that's the sort of MGA partner that we seek... one that's also receptive and collaborative... with regards to data initiatives."
• "We see it as a partner in transformation... simplifying processes, making those processes more efficient to ultimately give us a better customer experience."
• "It's better than doing it and then having further iterations and updates and re-winding perhaps further down the track. Do it once and do it right."
• "It feels more real than perhaps some lines of business. You're dealing with people; it's accidents, it's travel, it's medical situations."

Resources: HDi homepage: https://www.hdi.global/about-us/locations-contacts/europe/united-kingdom/contacts-specialty/

About the Guest: Kieran Morrin is Head of Accident & Health at HDI Global UK & Ireland, where he leads the insurer’s A&H proposition across the UK market. He has played a key role in building and developing HDI’s A&H offering and was previously Director of Accident & Health at the business. Kieran brings extensive London market experience in specialty underwriting and portfolio development.

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kieranmoran

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 is joined by Rachel Turk, Chief of Market Performance at Lloyd’s of London, for an in-depth discussion on the evolving Lloyd’s market and its growing appeal to MGAs and cover holders.

Rachel explains her role overseeing underwriting performance, delegated authority, exposure management, reinsurance, and claims across the Lloyd’s market. The conversation explores why Lloyd’s has become increasingly attractive to MGAs, how efficiency improvements are narrowing the gap with the company market, and why delegated authority is viewed as a key growth engine.

The episode also covers market cycle expectations, portfolio solutions and facilities, claims inflation, regulatory reform in the UK, and the realities of digital transformation and Blueprint Two. Rachel shares candid insights on why claims are a strategic lever for profitability, why portfolio solutions are a structural shift rather than a passing trend, and what success for Lloyd’s will look like by 2026.

A must-listen for MGA leaders, capacity providers, and anyone involved in the delegated authority ecosystem.

Key Quotes

• “Cover holders are valuable because they provide unrivalled access to niche risks and distribution – our job at Lloyd’s is to get out of the way and make that as efficient as possible.”
• “The quality of underwriting in the MGA space is the highest I’ve ever seen it.”
• “Claims is the only area that can actually add margin back – everything else just slows erosion.”
• “Portfolio solutions are a structural change in the market, not a cyclical trend.”
• “I want Lloyd’s to be judged by what we’ve delivered, not what we’ve said.”

Resources

• https://www.lloyds.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lloyd's-of-london/posts/?feedView=all

About the Guest

Rachel Turk is Chief of Market Performance at Lloyd’s of London, responsible for overseeing underwriting performance across the Lloyd’s market, including delegated authority, exposure management, reinsurance, and claims. Her remit focuses on protecting the strength of the Lloyd’s balance sheet, maintaining capital ratings, and ensuring sustainable performance across the insurance cycle. Rachel is widely recognised for her market insight, pragmatic approach to regulation and efficiency, and her strong advocacy for the strategic importance of claims and delegated authority within the global insurance ecosystem.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-turk-4330046/

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/