Inside the panel: Marcos Rodriguez Silva takes on Qorus Innovation in Insurance Awards

Insurance
12/02/2024 Interview
profile picture of Marcos Rodriguez Silva

Marcos Rodriguez Silva

Zurich (Spain)

Chief Transformation Officer (Head of Strategy, Transformation & Data)

Marcos Rodriguez Silva is Chief Transformation Officer at Zurich Insurance in Spain. Once again this year, he was kind enough to join our panel of judges for the Qorus Innovation in Insurance Awards. He talks to us about his expectations for the 2024 edition.


Tell us more about yourself and your role at Zurich.

For the last five years I’ve been leading the Transformation office for Zurich Insurance in Spain, in charge of a diverse team of around 80 professionals developing strategy, business development, innovation, data & analytics, operational excellence, intelligent automation, and corporate finance.

What do you see as the key trends in insurance this year?

In mature markets, I see a stronger focus on profitability over growth, rebalancing portfolios and increasing underwriting discipline (specially in retail as a whole and more markedly in PL), while searching for efficiency and agility leveraging emerging tech like LLM, AI, IoT, intelligent automation, etc. In emerging markets there’s a much larger appetite for growth and grabbing market share, primarily through deals, partnerships and accelerated scaling strategies. All in all, I see an emerging trend in growth in partnerships and embedded insurance.

What kind of innovative projects would you like to see submitted this year?

I am always positively surprised by the quality and creativity of the projects; as with the ‘industrial policy’, I believe it’s best not to limit yourself ex-ante, keeping an open mindset and being receptive to interesting proposals, no matter their nature or area of focus.

In your capacity as a judge, you have read many innovation submissions. What do you look for in a winning entry? And what qualities have stood out for you in previous innovation entries?

Credibility, robustness, market-proofing, innovativeness… these are the qualities that move my vote.

What is the one tip you have for those preparing innovation entries this year?

Be able to demonstrate value and impact through specific proof-points. There are many interesting ideas, but winners are those that get to the market and actually move the needle.


Submit your innovations

Related news & insights

Insurance
20/05/2024 News

AXA and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) join forces to advance inclusive insurance through postal networks

This collaboration aims to use the extensive reach and trust of postal services to offer financial protection to underserved populations.

Insurance
20/05/2024 News

Marsh introduces insurance solution for EU crypto-asset service providers

This solution is designed to help providers comply with the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which will take effect on...

Insurance
20/05/2024 News

Clearcover and Ada collaborate on customer-facing AI solution

This collaboration aims to revolutionize Clearcover's customer service experience by integrating Ada's 'AI Agent' into its platforms.

Insurance
19/05/2024 News

Sun Life launches innovative insurance solution for Canadians living with diabetes

This industry-first offering provides a higher chance of approval, affordable premiums, and personalized care to empower individuals with diabetes.

Insurance
16/05/2024 News

Manulife and John Hancock partner with MIT AgeLab for longevity research

The partnership aims to advance longevity innovation through research, thought leadership, and workshops, providing insights for businesses, policymakers, and individuals.

Digital Reinvention
15/05/2024 Article

Financial innovation spotlight: May 2024 edition

We have selected five new innovative projects that we found particularly interesting. A world tour that takes in France with...

ESG
12/05/2024 News

Allianz Trade and Inclusive Brains develop AI-powered assistive technology

This innovative technology utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) and neurotechnologies to empower people with disabilities by allowing them to control workstations,...

Insurance
08/05/2024 Study

The future of healthcare: Transforming the pathway to wellness

In the swiftly evolving domain of healthcare, advancements in technology and innovation are fundamentally altering the landscape of wellness. From...