David Cabral has worked across more corners of insurance than most of us will ever see - Bermuda, the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas - spanning claims, underwriting, leadership, and now senior advisory work at the Bank of England.

In this conversation, David shares why he believes claims is the best place to start any insurance career, how he deliberately built breadth through “sideways moves” (often without pay rises), and why insurance companies miss opportunities when they obsess over product instead of risk management.

We also talk about what it really takes to enter new markets well, how local nuance gets lost when head office exports a one-size-fits-all approach, and why the simple question “What do you need?” can unlock better products, better pricing, and deeper client trust.

Towards the end, David reflects on what he’d do differently if he started again — and why his curiosity is increasingly pulled towards microinsurance, development economics, and building models that serve communities properly.

In this episode:

• Why claims teams understand the contract better than almost anyone
• The hidden cost of being “product-first” instead of “risk-first”
• How to build a career through knowledge, not titles
• What changes when you move from CEO/CUO roles to strategic advisory
• Why “listening locally” is the real unlock for international growth
• The quiet case for microinsurance beyond parametrics

Humanizing Insurance is bought to you by Daniel Grimwood-Bird. It's a passion project, driven by the evergreen phrase 'Insurance is a people industry'.

Through each conversation, we explore the stories, experiences, and ideas that make our world of insurance more human - from the pioneers and innovators shaping its future to the quiet leaders who hold its traditions together.

This podcast exists to remind us that behind every policy, premium, and claim is a person, someone making decisions, taking risks, and protecting what matters most.

If these stories resonate with you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a colleague or friend who still believes in the people side of this business.

You can also connect with Daniel on LinkedIn to continue the conversation, recommend guests, or request a topic that you'd like to know more about.

Humanizing Insurance — one conversation at a time.