Rokstone’s Chief Underwriting & Risk Officer, Nadine Kearney, joins James and Ian to talk about underwriting, governance and what it really takes to build a business that can grow quickly without losing control.

From starting out in claims in Canada to leading underwriting and risk at Rokstone, Nadine reflects on the career path that shaped her, the lessons she took from great leaders, and why no decision in insurance ever sits in isolation.

She talks through the difference between big corporate insurance and Rokstone’s more entrepreneurial model, how strong frameworks can empower underwriters rather than restrict them, and why Rokstone now looks more like a virtual insurer than a traditional MGA.

This is a conversation about portfolio thinking, technology, accountability, and modern leadership inside a fast-moving underwriting business.

Listen as we discuss…

(01:00) Why Nadine deliberately chose insurance

(02:00) Starting out in claims in Canada and the early career path that shaped her

(04:30) The leaders she learned from and what she chose to take forward

(06:00) What her role at Rokstone actually is and how she thinks about sustainable, profitable results

(07:30) Why no underwriting decision sits in isolation

(08:30) The difference between big corporate insurance and Rokstone’s entrepreneurial model

(10:00) How governance should enable growth rather than block it

(12:00) The healthy tension between central oversight and empowered underwriters

(15:00) Why Rokstone now looks more like a virtual insurer than a traditional MGA

(16:30) How portfolio optimisation builds confidence with capital providers

(18:00) Atomx, dynamic portfolio management and real-time decision-making

(20:00) What should and shouldn’t be automated in underwriting

(22:00) What the next generation of underwriters will need to thrive

(25:00) Winning trust and respect in a leadership role

(29:00) Ownership, accountability and what happens when portfolios go wrong

(33:00) Why Rokstone’s ownership model creates real alignment

(35:00) Returning from maternity leave into a bigger leadership role

(39:00) What changes when your time becomes your scarcest resource

(43:00) What she’d tell herself on day one

(45:00) Who she’d take to lunch, and where they’d go

KEY INSIGHTS

Great underwriting needs frameworks that empower people, not block them

No underwriting decision sits in isolation - every call affects the wider portfolio

Technology should remove noise, not replace judgement

Healthy tension creates better decisions when trust and accountability are in place

Leadership is often about listening, creating clarity and helping others perform at their best

GUEST

Nadine Kearney- Chief Underwriting and Risk Officer, Rokstone