Reflections from the first half of 2026
Since January we've brought together hundreds of senior insurance leaders through our breakfast briefings, TINtech London Market, the Delegated Authority Strategy Day and TINtech Data Jam.
Every event has focused on a different challenge, from underwriting and delegated authority to data, operations and AI. Yet one thing has become increasingly clear.
The conversations are becoming far more practical.
Twelve months ago, many discussions centred on what might be possible. Today, the focus has shifted to what organisations are actually doing, what is delivering results and what still needs to change.
Here are five themes that have consistently emerged across our events during the first half of 2026.
1. The conversation has moved beyond AI
Perhaps the biggest shift we've seen is that AI is no longer the headline. Instead, leaders are asking much tougher questions.
- How do we improve underwriting performance?
- How do we reduce operational friction?
- How do we remove manual work without introducing new complexity?
As one survey respondent put it:
"The technology largely exists. Capability isn't the issue. The main blocker is behavioural."
Another commented:
"The focus now is cutting through the noise and finding the right place to start."
The market is becoming much less interested in technology for technology's sake and much more interested in measurable business outcomes.
2. Better data is becoming a competitive advantage
Whether the discussion was delegated authority, digital trading, underwriting performance or AI, one theme appeared almost everywhere.
Better decisions depend on better data.
It is not simply more data. The focus is on better structured, better connected and more trusted data.
Several breakfast briefing attendees described digital trading as less of a technology challenge and more of a data challenge. One observation summed it up perfectly:
"Capture the data once and use it throughout the process."
That simple idea underpins almost every conversation around automation, digital trading and real-time underwriting.
3. Operational efficiency is back at the top of the agenda
Soft market conditions have sharpened the focus on cost.
Leaders repeatedly spoke about reducing manual processing, eliminating duplicate effort and improving speed without increasing operational overhead.
One attendee observed:
"The opportunity isn't simply automation. It's removing friction from the underwriting lifecycle, claims processes, endorsements and financial reporting."
Whether discussing delegated authority, claims or digital trading, organisations are looking for practical improvements that shorten cycle times, improve visibility and allow skilled people to spend more time making decisions rather than moving data.
4. Transformation is becoming more incremental
One of the biggest changes compared with previous years is how organisations are approaching transformation itself.
Rather than pursuing large-scale programmes, many are starting with focused use cases that demonstrate measurable value before expanding further.
Several respondents described the importance of avoiding perfection.
- Deliver something
- Learn from it
- Build confidence
- Scale
That mindset appeared repeatedly across our discussions and closely matched the findings from the TINtech Data Jam pre-event survey.
5. Collaboration matters more than ever
Perhaps the most encouraging theme has been the willingness to learn from others.
The biggest challenges facing the London market cannot be solved by one organisation alone.
Digital trading depends on brokers and carriers working together.
Delegated authority depends on better collaboration across the value chain.
Data standards only work if the market adopts them collectively.
Again and again, delegates valued hearing practical experience from organisations already tackling similar challenges.
Not because they expected identical answers.
But because they wanted confidence that progress is possible.
If there is one conclusion from the first half of 2026, it is this.
The London market has largely stopped asking whether it should modernise.
The conversation is now about how.
How to improve underwriting performance
How to build stronger data foundations
How to reduce operational friction
How to help people embrace new ways of working
How to deliver measurable business outcomes without trying to transform everything at once
Those conversations will continue throughout the second half of the year.
We're looking forward to bringing the market together again, sharing practical experiences, challenging conventional thinking and, most importantly, helping to enable positive change across the insurance industry.
Sign Up to TINsights
Where we share our latest blogs, industry reports and insights
