As we settle into the second quarter of the year, I’ve had some time to reflect on a whirlwind Q1. Looking back at the industry events that kicked off 2026 has highlighted some fascinating shifts in how we approach value creation, insurance technology, and artificial intelligence.
Across two major industry events – The Actum Forum and InsurTech Insights Europe – one thing was abundantly clear: the market is moving away from hype and toward hard-earned results.
The Actum Forum: Talent as the Engine of Value
Now in our third year of supporting the Actum Forum, it was a privilege to engage with the high-calibre professionals that Ben Rumble, Raouf Fria, and the Actum Group team consistently bring together.
A standout moment was seeing Roberto Del-Maschio moderate a panel on accelerating value creation through talent. At Siena Partnership, this is our core mission. The discussion on how executive search and interim management can be strategic levers for funds and their portfolio companies reinforces our position that the right leadership is the ultimate competitive advantage.
Key discussions that resonated with the audience included:
- Tech-led value creation: strategies for portcos to spur top-line growth.
- Scaling GenAI: moving beyond the “pilot” phase to implement scalable use cases across portfolios.
InsurTech Insights Europe: From Resilience to Revolution
Following the Actum event, InsurTech Insights Europe was next on the schedule – an event that always serves as a pulse check for the insurance ecosystem. It was fantastic to see long-standing clients like INSTANDA continuing their impressive trajectory following investments from CommerzVentures and Toscafund Asset Management LLP.
Listening to Tim Hardcastle on stage with Jason Howes from Allianz underscored how much the landscape has evolved since we began working together in 2022. It was also a pleasure to catch up with the teams from Admiral Pioneer, including Emma Huntington, Russell Fisher, and the rest of the leadership group.
Several sessions offered deep dive insights into the current state of the market:
- Humans at the helm: a vital look at the intersection of leadership and technology.
- The CVC Revolution: Emma Huntington and Ruth Armalé led a brilliant discussion on the “Build, Buy, or Partner” dilemma.
- Frictionless Coverage: Russell Fisher and Guillaume Roux explored how to meet modern customers exactly where they are.
The Big Takeaway: AI Gets Real
If there was one overarching theme across both events, it was the maturity of the AI conversation.
The industry has moved past the initial “hype” phase. Conversations are now far more grounded in practical application. The focus has shifted toward how AI can create tangible value, drive operating leverage, and – most importantly – contribute to bottom-line profitability. We are no longer talking about what AI might do; we are talking about what it is already doing to optimise portcos and insurance workflows.
Closing the Quarter on a High
To round off a successful Q1, the Actum Awards evening at The National Gallery provided a stunning backdrop to celebrate excellence in the industry. Huge congratulations to all the individuals, teams, and funds recognised for their outstanding performance.
As we look toward Q2, the momentum is palpable. Our focus is clear: finding the right talent to navigate these technological shifts and making sure innovation translates directly into value.
At The Siena Partnership, we work with our clients to recruit insurance specialists across industries, helping organisations innovate and create value. If you’d like to continue the conversation with one of our insurance experts, Tom, you can reach him at tom@thesienapartnership.com