On this episode of the Insurance Coffee House, Nick Hoadley is joined by Susan Holliday, a global insurance and reinsurance executive and experienced board director, including her recent appointment to the board of Hippo Insurance.
Susan shares how the Hippo opportunity came about, why the stage of the business matters for board impact, and what her committee roles involve, including Audit, Risk and Compliance and Compensation. She also reflects on where insurtech sits today, why the ecosystem matters, and why not every technology-led player should become a full-stack carrier.
The conversation explores Susan’s career path into insurance, starting in the Lloyd’s market, moving into counterparty credit and global insurer analysis, and later into equity research and senior roles at Swiss Re, including Head of Investor Relations through the Global Financial Crisis. Susan describes what it was like operating in a fast-moving environment, working closely with leadership, and the importance of clear communication when the fine print matters.
Nick and Susan then discuss board work in practice: how to build a board portfolio, how to define a clear value proposition, how directors stay current, and how boards should approach emerging risks. Susan shares a practical framework for AI governance, including risk appetite, controls, pilot design, cross-functional execution, and regulator engagement.
Connect with Susan Holliday on LinkedIn to follow her work across board governance, risk, and technology-led insurance.
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