Ben Rose

Tell us your story:

I’m a recently exited co-founder and insurtech leader with a love for building things—teams, products, and businesses that challenge the status quo. During my time as Chief Underwriting Officer, I helped scale our business from an idea to a 150-person company across London and Rotterdam. I led everything from underwriting and pricing to policy design, claims, capacity partnerships, and regulatory oversight.

Under my leadership, we became the first insurtech to achieve Lloyd’s broker status, secured coverholder status, and gained full FCA and AFM authorisation. We developed 25 tailored insurance products, delivered strong underwriting results year after year, and raised £65m in funding. The company was recognised by Lloyd’s Lab, Tech Nation Upscale, and CB Insights’ Fintech 250.

But what I’m most proud of is the culture we built. During my time there, we became a certified B-Corp and created a workplace where DEI wasn’t just talked about—it was lived. Our employee surveys consistently showed DEI as one of the highest-rated areas. That’s something I’ll always carry with me.

Impact:

I’ve always believed that if you’re building something new, you have a responsibility to build it better. So inclusion was never a side project—it was part of our foundation from day one. During my time, we introduced gender-neutral parental leave, worked with organisations that support LGBTQIA+ founders, and made sure our hiring and leadership practices reflected our values.

The most rewarding feedback didn’t come from awards or press—it came from the team. In engagement surveys, people consistently said they felt seen, respected, and able to show up fully as themselves. That meant the world to me.

Being featured in Pride in FinTech 2025 would be an honour—not just to celebrate what I’ve achieved, but to help show others—especially in insurance, a sector that’s historically lacked diversity—that you can scale a successful business and lead with purpose.

Advice:

Be yourself—and back yourself. Business can sometimes feel intense or exclusive, but there’s room for you, your voice, and your ideas. In fact, your perspective is exactly what the industry needs.

Surround yourself with people who lift you up, and return the favour when you can. And if you get the chance to shape the culture of a business, take it seriously—because creating space for others is just as important as climbing the ladder yourself.

You don’t have to be the loudest in the room to lead. You just have to be real, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of showing up with purpose and pride.