Virtual Lunch

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...

Ollie Bearman joins James and Ian to talk about pressure, performance and growing up fast inside one of the most demanding environments in sport. From karting at Rye House with his dad to stepping into a Ferrari Formula One car, Ollie reflects on the moments that shifted racing from passion to profession, the reality of being signed to the Ferrari Driver Academy, and what it actually feels like to...

In this special episode, James Potter and Ian Anson swap seats and become the guests.  Expertly hosted by Sophie Roberts (The Insurer TV), they unpack how Rokstone grew from a feral startup vibe to a professional, high-performance business breaking $1bn GWP — without losing the underdog edge.  It’s a transparent look at conviction, ownership, and building teams that say “yes” and figure out the ho...

Hasani Jess, Group CTO at Aventum, joins James and Ian to talk about what it really takes to build technology that works in the real world. This isn’t a conversation about buzzwords. It’s about engineering empathy into systems, designing platforms that simplify complexity, and leading people through the messy reality of change. In his role as the architect of Atomx – Aventum’s proprietary tech sui...

Whether you're in insurance or not, this is a story about leadership under pressure, disciplined decision-making, and the mindset it takes to bet on yourself. Jordan Lanford, Global Head of Aviation at Rokstone, joins James and Ian to talk about risk, speed, and rebuilding a legacy-dominated market from a blank slate. From pilot school to global leadership, Jordan shares how his team is reshap...

Jamie McDonald - known around the world as Adventureman - joins James and Ian to talk about the mindset behind extreme endurance, redefining risk, and turning pain into purpose. From spending years in hospital as a child with a rare immune disorder to running 200 marathons across Canada dressed as a superhero, Jamie’s story is one of courage, humour, and heart. He opens up about childhood trauma,...

Kevin Fisher, President at IQUW and former Global Chair at Guy Carpenter, joins James and Ian to reflect on four decades at the top of the (re)insurance industry, what real leadership looks like when the market, technology, and talent keep changing. From starting as a 16-year-old claims clerk to running one of the world’s leading reinsurance brokers, Kevin shares lessons learned over 45 years of b...

Ex-Premier League footballer Henri Lansbury (Arsenal academy, Luton Town promotion) joins James and Ian to talk about moving from elite sport to entrepreneurship. Building Grass Gains - the organic lawn and plant nutrition brand now stocked in 400+ garden centres. Henri shares how a lockdown question sparked a product, why he’s taking a “pro-grade for retail” approach, and what leadership lessons...

Larry Burrows, Head of US Casualty at Rokstone, joins James and Ian to talk about taking the leap from balance-sheet comfort to business ownership - and what it really takes to build something from the ground up. From failing computer science at university to leading one of Rokstone’s fastest-growing portfolios, Larry opens up about self-belief, innovation, and redefining what it means to be an un...

Lucy Clarke, President of Risk & Broking at WTW, joins James and Ian for a refreshingly honest conversation on falling into insurance, finding your feet, and leading with conviction. From her start as a secretary in Houston to becoming one of the most influential women in the global (re)insurance market, Lucy opens up about what shaped her leadership, how risk and resilience show up in real li...

Pull up a chair and join Rokstone Chairman James Potter and Global CEO Ian Anson for lunch with some of the biggest and boldest minds in and beyond (re)insurance. From athletes and entrepreneurs to underwriters and industry challengers, you’ll hear candid conversations about what it really takes to lead. These aren’t boardroom soundbites - they’re real stories of risk, conviction, and the mindset...