Your Outlook for the year
An impressive line-up will provide critical insights at Insurance News’ latest full-day conference
The soft market continues to evolve, cyber and AI dominate conversations, and the future for brokers and claims professionals is full of opportunity, but also potential disruption.
These are just some of the key issues to be addressed at Insurance News’ Outlook 2026 conference in Sydney on March 19.
Attendees will once again gain access to an exclusive printed copy of our INFORM report, compiled with experts at Finity.
The report provides a detailed analysis of rates, capacity and profitability across commercial and personal lines, plus a series of in-depth features addressing issues including the rational/irrational soft market, the psychological claims crisis, and cyber risks and myths.
Finity’s statistics and expert viewpoints will be complemented by Insurance News articles focused on industry leaders’ insights, and the report findings will be presented during the first session of the day.
Other highlights include a speech by Insurance Council of Australia chief executive Andrew Hall covering the main challenges facing our industry, plus panel sessions on the future of broking, the evolution of claims, smarter cyber decisions and AI.
There’s also a session on wellbeing in the workplace, plus our annual CEO panel, which includes AIG Australia CEO Kathleen Warden, Allianz chief GM of commercial and personal injury Julie Mitchell and Aon Australia CEO Kevan Johnston.
Join us for a unique day of insights and networking, enabling insurance professionals to tackle 2026 with confidence.
The event is backed by gold partners QBE and Tata Consultancy Services, and sponsors Entsia, AAMC and Australia Underwriting. Attendees are eligible for eight ANZIIF CIP points and six NIBA CPD points.
For the first time, a breakfast briefing will also be held in Melbourne on March 25, where participants will be given a copy of the INFORM report, which will be presented along with a recap of other key sessions. This event is supported by Finity, Xceedance and Australia Underwriting.
For details, visit events.insurancenews.com.au
Conference agenda
Insurance News/Finity 2026 market report revealed
Susie Amos, principal – Finity Consulting; Pravesh Ponna, principal – Finity Consulting; John Deex, editor-in-chief – Insurance News
The market continues to soften, and the actuarial experts at Finity have updated their line-by-line assessment of where rates are heading – for the exclusive benefit of Outlook 2026 attendees. This critical information is complemented by a series of analysis articles by the Finity and Insurance News teams on issues including the rational/irrational soft market, the psychological claims crisis, and cyber risks and myths.
Smarter cyber decisions
Dominic Keller, global head of cyber services – QBE; Michael Parrant, director cyber and technology Pacific – WTW; Trent Woodward, broking operations manager – MGA Insurance Group
Cyber risk is evolving rapidly, with global trends showing more sophisticated ransomware, shifting regulations and new vulnerabilities emerging from AI-driven operations. This panel brings together leading voices in cyber insurance and security to explore these developments and unpack the widening gap between large enterprises and SMEs.
Wellbeing in the workplace
Brianna Cattanach, national manager mental health strategy and delivery – Allianz
Unpacking key insights from the 2025 Insurance News wellbeing survey, and highlighting important industry implications and practical solutions.
The future of broking
Nick Cook, EGM Australasian networks, broker and insurer services – Steadfast; Shaun Standfield, managing director – Insurance Advisernet; Ben Goodall, chief executive – PSC Insurance Brokers; Meg Long, chief executive – McLardy McShane Partners
This expert panel will get to the heart of SME and mid-market insurance distribution, and how it is set to evolve over the next 10 years.
Industry challenges and how to tackle them
Andrew Hall, chief executive – Insurance Council of Australia
Industry leader Andrew Hall will deliver a keynote speech on the major challenges our industry faces and how they might be addressed. Followed by Q&A.
From AI pilot to AI-first insurers
Vincent Ofrecio, managing partner, insurance advisory, Americas – Tata Consultancy Services. Other panellists to be confirmed
Expert panellists will discuss the industry’s artificial intelligence journey, and what comes next.
The evolution of claims
Adam Squire, pacific head of claims – Lockton; Kira Pellicano, head of commercial claims – Vero; Georgia McKelvey, account executive – Claims Gateway
The panel will examine key trends in claims, especially in relation to technology.
CEO panel – challenges and opportunities in 2026
Kathleen Warden, chief executive – AIG Australia; Kevan Johnston, chief executive – Aon Australia; Julie Mitchell, chief GM commercial and personal injury – Allianz. Other panellists to be confirmed
In this final session, our high-level panel will discuss challenges and opportunities in the industry, plus give their expert views on issues discussed earlier in the day.
