In this episode, Robin Merttens sits down with Frank Perkins, CEO and Co-founder of inari, to explore what it really takes to build and scale a modern MGA in 2026. 

From founding an insurance business himself to leading a technology company serving specialist MGAs across Europe, Frank brings a rare dual perspective. He understands both the pressure of getting premium through the door and the responsibility of building systems that underwriters actually want to use. 

As private equity capital accelerates into the sector and niche, digital-first MGAs proliferate across continental Europe, the conversation turns to speed, integration and the quiet evolution of the underwriting workbench. 

In this conversation, Frank shares: 

• Why technology literacy is now firmly in the hands of business users, not just IT departments 
• How the rise of highly specialised MGAs is reshaping what underwriting platforms need to deliver 
• Why “rip and replace” transformation programmes are giving way to orchestration and coexistence 
• How AI is materially accelerating integrations and onboarding, cutting rollout times from months to days 
• The difference between generic AI tooling and insurance-specific intelligence 
• Why speed of execution is becoming a defining competitive advantage 
• What a tightening market cycle will mean for operational efficiency 
• Why continental Europe may offer the next major growth wave for MGAs 
• How culture and domain expertise can matter as much as code in a crowded market 

If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Robin Merttens on LinkedIn. 

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