FS Brew Insurtech and Insurance Podcast
Welcome to FS Brew!
FS Brew is the region’s first podcast focusing on all things insurance and insurtech here in the UAE and the broader Middle East.
The viewers and listeners are from the insurance industry and from industries serving the insurance sector in the region.
In every episode, the hosts, Vidya Veerapandian and Renjit Philip, pick up and analyze news pieces and talk to leaders from the industry.
Why we launched this podcast?
Increase awareness on insurance, insurtechs, digital marketing and transformation
Create a community of like-minded people from the insurance industry
Create a forum for discussing global issues that impact the insurance industry in the UAE and the wider Middle East
Connect innovators and entrepreneurs with investors, incumbents and accelerators in the region
FS Brew is the region’s first podcast focusing on all things insurance and insurtech here in the UAE and the broader Middle East.
The viewers and listeners are from the insurance industry and from industries serving the insurance sector in the region.
In every episode, the hosts, Vidya Veerapandian and Renjit Philip, pick up and analyze news pieces and talk to leaders from the industry.
Why we launched this podcast?
Increase awareness on insurance, insurtechs, digital marketing and transformation
Create a community of like-minded people from the insurance industry
Create a forum for discussing global issues that impact the insurance industry in the UAE and the wider Middle East
Connect innovators and entrepreneurs with investors, incumbents and accelerators in the region
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Your Gateway to Insurance Innovation
Your *Source* for Middle East Insurtech News
FS Brew is the first podcast dedicated to exploring insurance and insurtech in the UAE and the wider Middle East. Hosts Vidya Veerapandian and Renjit Philip engage listeners with expert insights and industry analysis, connecting a vibrant community of insurance professionals.
Recommended
9
Aug. 15, 2026
From AI Regulations to Insurtech Investments: Latest Industry Buzz
FS Brews News + Analysis (H1 2026): Airline-Embedded Travel Insurance, MAS AI Governance, Insurtech Funding Rebound, Data Center Risk & Cover Genius M&A.In this episode of FS Brews News with Analysis, the hosts cover key insurance and Insurtech developments across regions: UAE airlines Etihad and Emirates are embedding travel insurance to encourage travel, with Etihad auto-enrolling up to 15 days of medical cover in the UAE and Emirates offering worldwide and evacuation cover plus war-related di
8
June 16, 2026
Corgi raises back to back funding and becomes a $2.6 Billion company
Marsh Launches Coverpro.ae for UAE SMEs + Global Insurtech Funding Surges on AIIn this episode of FS Brew: News with Analysis, the hosts discuss Marsh UAE’s launch of CoverPro.ae, a new retail website aimed at small and medium enterprises, marking a shift toward digital-first distribution and raising questions about how Marsh will market to SMEs. They then review the Global Insurtech Funding Report (Be Insure), noting insurtech funding rose 19.5% year-on-year to $5.1B, driven largely by AI-focus
Latest Episodes
Nov. 2, 2026
Zurich’s Middle East Chief, Peter Englund on Geopolitical Risk, AI Liability and Talent
From an attack-diving unit to leading Zurich’s commercial business across the Middle East. Peter Englund, Senior Executive Officer for the Middle East at Zurich, joins FS Brew to talk about risk, capital and the future of insurance in the Gulf.
Peter has spent nearly two decades at Zurich, including a term as CEO of Zurich Denmark. In this conversation he covers what pulled a Swedish insurance professional to the Gulf, how Zurich is structured in the region, and how the market is pricing risks
Peter has spent nearly two decades at Zurich, including a term as CEO of Zurich Denmark. In this conversation he covers what pulled a Swedish insurance professional to the Gulf, how Zurich is structured in the region, and how the market is pricing risks
Nov. 2, 2026
Inside a 50-Year-Old Insurance co running Like a Startup: Conversation with CEO, Ahmed Nasef
FS Brew is the first podcast dedicated to insurance and insurtech in the UAE and the wider Middle East. In this episode, hosts Renjit Philip and Vidya sit down with Ahmed Nasef, CEO of Fidelity United Insurance, to unpack how one of the region's oldest insurance licenses is being rebuilt for a digital, data-driven market.About the guest Ahmed Nasef became CEO of Fidelity United Insurance in June 2024, bringing over 20 years of MENA insurance experience. He holds an MBA from Warwick University an
11
Nov. 2, 2026
Inside a 50-Year-Old Insurance co running Like a Startup: Conversation with CEO, Ahmed Nasef
FS Brew is the first podcast dedicated to insurance and insurtech in the UAE and the wider Middle East. In this episode, hosts Renjit Philip and Vidya sit down with Ahmed Nasef, CEO of Fidelity United Insurance, to unpack how one of the region's oldest insurance licenses is being rebuilt for a digital, data-driven market.About the guestAhmed Nasef became CEO of Fidelity United Insurance in June 2024, bringing over 20 years of MENA insurance experience. He holds an MBA from Warwick University and
Oct. 18, 2026
Inside a 50-Year-Old Insurance co running Like a Startup: Conversation with CEO, Ahmed Nasef
FS Brew is the first podcast dedicated to insurance and insurtech in the UAE and the wider Middle East. In this episode, hosts Renjit Philip and Vidya sit down with Ahmed Nasef, CEO of Fidelity United Insurance, to unpack how one of the region's oldest insurance licenses is being rebuilt for a digital, data-driven market. About the guest Ahmed Nasef became CEO of Fidelity United Insurance in June 2024, bringing over 20 years of MENA insurance experience. He holds an MBA from Warwick University
Sept. 26, 2026
Inside Markel's Decade in the Middle East — Max Robbie on Risk, Regulation and the Road to 2030
FS Brew is the region's first podcast dedicated to insurance and insurtech across the UAE and the broader Middle East.In this episode, hosts Renjit Philip, Managing Partner at Futureu Strategy Group, and Vidya, Founder of FWD, sit down with Max Robbie, CEO of Markel International Dubai, to mark ten years of Markel's presence in the region and unpack where specialty insurance is headed next.Topics covered:Markel's ten years in the Middle East and how the market has evolvedDIFC's premium growth to
10
Sept. 26, 2026
Inside Markel's Decade in the Middle East — Max Robbie on Risk, Regulation and the Road to 2030
FS Brew is the region's first podcast dedicated to insurance and insurtech across the UAE and the broader Middle East.In this episode, hosts Renjit Philip, Managing Partner at Futureu Strategy Group, and Vidya, Founder of FWD, sit down with Max Robbie, CEO of Markel International Dubai, to mark ten years of Markel's presence in the region and unpack where specialty insurance is headed next.Topics covered:Markel's ten years in the Middle East and how the market has evolvedDIFC's premium growth to
Sept. 26, 2026
Inside Markel's Decade in the Middle East — Max Robbie on Risk, Regulation and the Road to 2030
FS Brew is the region's first podcast dedicated to insurance and insurtech across the UAE and the broader Middle East. In this episode, hosts Renjit Philip, Managing Partner at Futureu Strategy Group, and Vidya, Founder of FWD, sit down with Max Robbie, CEO of Markel International Dubai, to mark ten years of Markel's presence in the region and unpack where specialty insurance is headed next. Topics covered: Markel's ten years in the Middle East and how the market has evolved DIFC's premium gr
Aug. 25, 2026
Google, Policy Bazaar, and the Two Fronts UAE Insurers Are Now Fighting On
The pilot episode of FS Brew runs through four unconnected news items, but read together they describe the same squeeze: a platform player moving in from above, a well-funded digital entrant pushing from below, and regional incumbents responding wit…
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Aug. 25, 2026
Google, Policy Bazaar, and the Two Fronts UAE Insurers Are Now Fighting On
The pilot episode of FS Brew runs through four unconnected news items, but read together they describe the same squeeze: a platform player moving in from above, a well-funded digital entrant pushing from below, and regional incumbents responding wit…
Aug. 25, 2026
UAE and KSA Are Engineering Insurance Uptake, Not Waiting for Demand
Four separate developments out of the UAE and Saudi Arabia this cycle share one design principle: don't wait for consumers to opt into cover, build the mechanism that makes going without it awkward or impossible. A savings scheme, a licence-plate ca…
About the Hosts
Renjit Philip
Senior professional with 20+ years of startup and corporate experience in retail finance, payments, insurance, and technology consulting. Startup and scale-up expertise in successful business units. International work experience: USA, India, China & MENA region.
Ex-founder: Insurtech Startup in US. Currently advising Startups in the US, India & UAE. Investor: Early Stage to Series A
Mentor/session leader at Accelerators: Founder Institute (GCC Silicon Valley)| NSRCEL, IIMB, Bangalore| Loyal VC, Canada
Specialties: Startup leadership, Business Strategy, Program Management, Design Thinking, Growth, Business Development and Strategic Partnership
Newsletter on AI:
www.onemorethinginai.com
Thought Leadership
www.renjitphilip.com
Socials
Twitter: @renjitphilip
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/renjit-philip
Ex-founder: Insurtech Startup in US. Currently advising Startups in the US, India & UAE. Investor: Early Stage to Series A
Mentor/session leader at Accelerators: Founder Institute (GCC Silicon Valley)| NSRCEL, IIMB, Bangalore| Loyal VC, Canada
Specialties: Startup leadership, Business Strategy, Program Management, Design Thinking, Growth, Business Development and Strategic Partnership
Newsletter on AI:
www.onemorethinginai.com
Thought Leadership
www.renjitphilip.com
Socials
Twitter: @renjitphilip
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/renjit-philip
Vidya Veerapandian
Vidya Veerapandian
Senior Insurance Marketing Leader with expertise in digital transformation, CX and go-to-market strategies
Core strengths: 1] to lead P&L centric omni- channel marketing strategies for direct, broker and affinity businesses and 2] to direct seamless and consistent user- centered design and experience across multivariate customer journeys
International work experience: MENA and India
Specialties: design thinking, growth marketing, brand strategy, creative thinking & management
Awards: Winner MEPRA and SABRE awards for Best Campaign & Comms; recipient of MENA IR Awards
Senior Insurance Marketing Leader with expertise in digital transformation, CX and go-to-market strategies
Core strengths: 1] to lead P&L centric omni- channel marketing strategies for direct, broker and affinity businesses and 2] to direct seamless and consistent user- centered design and experience across multivariate customer journeys
International work experience: MENA and India
Specialties: design thinking, growth marketing, brand strategy, creative thinking & management
Awards: Winner MEPRA and SABRE awards for Best Campaign & Comms; recipient of MENA IR Awards