Podcasts

Ben Lovell, Jerome McDonagh and Edouard Fremault

In this episode, Ben Lovell and Jerome McDonagh are joined by Edouard Fremault of Deminor for a discussion on the evolving role of litigation funding in complex disputes across Asia and internationally. The conversation explores how litigation funding can support claimants in pursuing meritorious claims, the key factors funders consider when assessing potential cases, and the importance of issues such as quantum, recoverability and enforcement. Edouard also shares his insights on the development of litigation funding in markets such as Hong Kong and Singapore, and the opportunities he sees for continued growth across the region.

Barry Jones & Ellie Smith

In this episode, Barry Jones interviews Ellie Smith, Senior Manager in MDD’s London, UK office. Ellie joined MDD as an intern and never left, captivated by the way each case presents a new puzzle to solve. Fifteen years later, she’s a Senior Manager known for her technical expertise, her thoughtful approach to handling losses, and her commitment to recruiting and training new staff. Ellie shares insights on a memorable revenue measurement story, how a particular loss was profiled against an incident, and a classic “loss vs. not a loss” scenario.

Barry Jones & Jo Suppiah

Hosted by Barry Jones, this episode features Jo Suppiah, who offers an inside look at her role as a Director at MDD and the insights she’s gained from working on large, complex claims. Jo shares her background in forensic accounting and explains how we support clients through the claims process, whether appointed by a policyholder or an insurer. While the assessment of loss and financial exposure is consistent, she highlights how priorities and expectations differ: insurers focus on setting accurate reserves, while policyholders prioritize cash flow and managing the financial impact of a loss. She also discusses the challenges experts face on both sides and why early engagement and collaboration from day one is essential to achieving the right outcome.

Amanda Guire & Marguerite Hart

Hosted by Amanda Guire, this episode features Marguerite Hart as she breaks down what forensic accounting really means in the insurance world. Marguerite highlights how it differs from traditional accounting, digging deep into records with the level of detail needed for potential legal proceedings. She explains why bringing in a forensic accountant early matters: it helps untangle complex losses, understand the business behind the numbers, and piece together the full story. At its core, the work is about taking chaos and turning it into something ordered and clear.

Jeff Williams, Dave Elmore and Amanda Guire

North America CAT Team

Hosted by Amanda Guire, with insights from Dave Elmore and Jeff Williams, this episode takes a closer look at the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that struck Jamaica on October 28th. The discussion covers the storm’s path and destruction, the challenges of recovery, and the resilience of local communities. From infrastructure damage and resource shortages to the business and insurance implications for hospitality, cruise ports, and service industries, our experts share what they’ve seen firsthand and how forensic accountants help measure losses in complex CAT events.

Nick Doyle

Head of International Claims - The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc.

This week, we sat down with Nick Doyle - Head of International Claims for The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. Nick Doyle joined The Hartford in 2018.   He is responsible for the oversight of the International Claims portfolio, a member of the Global Specialty International Senior Leadership Team, Executive Committee and Executive Sponsor of the Culture Council. Nick started his career in London Market Claims at Hardy Syndicate after graduating from university.  His area of expertise focused on Energy and Marine Claims.  Nick has also been an active member of external market committees to enhance the London market claims offering.  Nick is currently a member of the Lloyd's Market Association Head of Claims Committee.​ Nick discusses how he first discovered the insurance industry during a summer at a recruiting agency, sparking an interest in claims that continued after university. Over the past eight years at The Hartford, his focus includes overseeing claims across the London market, select Asia offices and Miami, leading teams and sitting on the executive committee. Following the integration of Navigators with The Hartford, he is energized by the expanded product offerings and geographic reach and remains committed to investing in innovation to strengthen the business and deliver greater value to customers.

Thomas Upton

Head of Claims – Marine, Energy and Casualty - Markel

Tom Upton joined Markel in July 2015 as a Senior Claims Adjuster in their Marine & Energy team. He began his career on the Lloyd’s Claims Graduate Scheme, before joining Hiscox as a Claims Underwriter in the Marine and Energy team.  After moving to Markel in 2015, he was promoted to Manager of Energy, Cargo, Specie and Terrorism in 2016. In 2017, he transitioned to Manager of the Energy, Liability and Terrorism claims team and in 2022 he was promoted to Head of Claims Performance for Marine and Energy. Tom has global responsibility for all Marine and Energy claims. He is also responsible for the performance of the Marine and Energy claims team and ensuring they are market-leading in their approach to claims. He sits on the Claims Leadership team and champions projects both internally and externally. In this engaging conversation, they explore Tom’s journey into the insurance industry, starting with his early days at Lloyd’s and culminating in his current leadership role at Markel. He shares what he finds most rewarding about leading, particularly the opportunity to develop and grow his team over the past decade. The discussion also touches on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in claims service and its potential impact on the industry’s future. Tom reflects on the qualities that define an exceptional claims handler: empathy, client focus, and a deep appreciation that insurance is a people-centred business.

Andrew Bart

CEO - Crawford International Operations

Next up in our Claims Series Interviews: Barry Jones sits down with Andrew Bart, of Crawford & Company. Andrew Bart is the chief executive officer of Crawford International Operations, which incorporates all operations outside of North America. This includes Loss Adjusting, Third Party Administration (TPA) and Platforms. Andrew is committed to delivering market leading claim solutions in all sectors. He is particularly focused on attracting, training and retaining high grade technical experts, developing digital capabilities and creating a culture of growth. Andrew has 30+ years of claims and loss adjusting experience, and he has spent the last 18 years of his career at Crawford & Company where he has successfully managed teams across multiple geographies and product lines. Andrew describes his entry into the insurance industry as serendipitous. He began his career as a graduate accountant, but within a year of making the switch, he found himself on the ground in Fiji, managing cyclone claims firsthand, an immersive introduction to the world of loss adjusting. He reflects on his role at Crawford & Company and his longstanding relationship with the Crawford family, whose legacy began over 80 years ago with founder Jim Crawford. Starting out as a hands-on loss adjuster, Andrew’s career evolved into leading global teams in what he describes as an incredibly diverse and dynamic position. In conversation with Barry, Andrew shares his thoughts on the insurance industry’s historically slow pace of evolution, noting that artificial intelligence is now rapidly transforming the field of loss adjusting. He also highlights what he sees as Crawford & Company’s greatest strength.

Markus Heiss

Partner, MDD Forensic Accountants

After interviewing over 30 claims professionals, Barry had the pleasure of sitting down with Markus Heiss, one of MDD’s most seasoned forensic accountants, for a candid and insightful conversation. What began as an unexpected start at MDD evolved into a career defined by purpose and a deep passion for claims. Markus shared what continues to drive his interest in the field, explains what forensic accounting is truly about, and offered his perspective on MDD’s future, including our integration with Davies. He also reflected on the one aspect of the claims process he’d change, celebrated key career milestones, and paid tribute to the MDD partners who helped shape his professional path. Markus joined MDD Forensic Accountants in 1993 and he has been a Partner at the firm’s London office since 2002. Markus has provided economic damage quantification assessments for over 1,000 files in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Far East, Africa, Australasia and North and South America. His professional practice specializes in matters related to business interruption, lost profits, loss of income, stock and property damage losses, construction defects & claims, fidelity and fraud, often as a result of physical damages, machinery breakdown, natural disasters or contractual and legal disputes. He has been engaged on assignments involving retail, wholesale and manufacturing businesses across a wide range of industries including automotive, consumer goods packaging, telecommunications, mining & refining, power generation, chemicals, petrochemicals, onshore and offshore energy, publishing, pulp and paper and steel. Fluent in English, Spanish and German (mother tongue), Markus has provided expert witness testimony both in the UK and Europe.

Stuart Wright

Head of Non‑Marine Claims, UK - Ascot

In this latest instalment of our Claims Interviews series, Barry Jones sits down with Stuart Wright. Stuart is Head of Non-Marine Claims for Ascot Syndicate 1414, overseeing a complex book of insurance and reinsurance claims for all non-marine lines of business. He has over 25 years experience in the London Market, the last 14 years at Ascot. He is a former Chair of the LMA Property Insurance Claims Group (and currently Deputy), and Chair (and founder) of the PICG Conference. In his conversation with Barry, Stuart reflects on his pivotal role at Ascot and what he’d change about claims processing in the London market. Stuart shares his journey, from founding the PICG Conference, his future at Ascot, and the high points that have defined his career.