UK insurtech Instanda hires ex-AXA to drive expansion into Europe

UK-based insurtech Instanda, a cloud-based digital insurance platform, has hired AXA Corporate's global COO Steven Haasz to lead European expansion following its recent  $19.5 million Series A funding round.

Haasz will join as partnerships and European accounts director and chief of staff. He will be responsible for driving forward Instanda’s expansion into Europe, as well as working with the senior management team on a range of topics including further sharpening its offering to the life, GI and London markets.

Haasz has 30 years of financial services experience, including London Market experience with Equitas, London Market Reform consultancy and five years at the Corporation of Lloyds.

Most recently, Haasz was global COO for AXA Corporate Solutions based in Paris. His previous roles include managing director at Prudential European, and COO at Chubb Europe.

The company raised $19.5 million Series A funding in March to support its international expansion in the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Earlier this month, Instanda appointed Greg Murphy, formerly a Technology Executive at WR Berkley, to executive vice president, North America, to lead Instanda's North American expansion.

Haasz said: “Being able to bring insurance products to market quickly and seamlessly whilst maintaining operational efficiencies has never been more important, particularly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet the insurance industry is notoriously bogged down by monolithic legacy systems which stand in the way of achieving speed or agility when delivering the products that consumers really need.

“Instanda provides a tangible solution to this challenge, working with insurers around the world to deliver products to market in a matter of weeks, as opposed to months. I am excited to join such a forward-thinking business and drive forward its global expansion into Europe.”

Tim Hardcastle, Instanda founder and CEO, commented: “We are delighted to bring Steven on board to drive our expansion into Europe. His background and wealth of expertise will bring invaluable insight to Instanda and our clients, as we continue to expand our global footprint and work with our partners to transform the industry forever.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on just how imperative it is for the global insurance industry to digitise. As we emerge from this crisis, and consumer demands are changed forever as a result, insurers all around the world must be able to adapt accordingly and have business models in place that enable efficiency, agility and adaptability. Bypassing outdated legacy systems through the use of technology is the only way to achieve this."