Insurance is changing faster than most organisations are structurally prepared for. In this special Scouting for Growth mini-series, Sabine VanderLinden brings together Steve Abel (Partner, Oliver Wyman), Brian McDermott (Chief Technology Officer, Victor Insurance), and Esther Becker (Partner and Captive Actuarial Leader, Oliver Wyman) to offer a 360-degree view of how insurance is being rebuilt from the inside out. Across four connected episodes, this series moves beyond surface-level innovation narratives to tackle the hard realities incumbents, MGAs, and risk leaders face today: legacy technology debt, speed-to-value, scaling distribution, and managing emerging risks that no longer fit traditional insurance models. The objective is simple—but ambitious. First, to create an honest, end-to-end perspective on what is really happening across the insurance value chain—technology, operations, capital, and risk. Second, to demonstrate how Victor Insurance, a Managing General Agent operating at global scale, has grown its business to over $3bn in Direct Written Premiums by making deliberate, disciplined choices around technology, partnerships, and operating models. And third, to explore how captive insurance and self-insurance programmes are evolving as organisations confront non-traditional, non-insurable, and technology-driven risks that are now part of everyday business reality. A central theme running through the series is value extraction from what already exists. Insurers and carriers have invested heavily in core systems over decades. Yet many remain locked into proprietary architectures that limit flexibility, slow innovation, and increase long-term cost. The question is no longer whether to modernise—but how to unlock value without ripping everything out. The discussions dive into: Optimising and extending legacy systems rather than replacing them blindly Using APIs and modular upgrades to increase adaptability and interoperability Leveraging commoditised technology to focus innovation where it actually differentiates Understanding when past technology decisions no longer serve future strategy The series also looks forward. As emerging risks accelerate—cyber, technology dependency, operational resilience, climate, and systemic exposure—captives are becoming strategic tools, not just financial structures. Their ability to navigate complex technology choices and data-driven decision-making is now central to their relevance and effectiveness. For enterprise leaders, this series provides: A pragmatic roadmap for modernisation without disruption Lessons from a scaled MGA operating at speed and volume Insight into how captives are adapting to 2030-level risk realities For founders, scaleups, and InsurTech partners, it offers a clearer view of: How incumbents actually make technology and investment decisions Where real collaboration opportunities exist—and where they don’t 🎧 This four-part series is essential listening for anyone shaping the future of insurance, risk, and capital in an increasingly complex world. Because the next era of insurance won’t be built by replacing everything. It will be built by those who know how to simplify, innovate, and collaborate—at scale.