Ripe Thinking has appointed FinTech heavyweight Laurel Powers-Freeling as chair of its board.
The digital insurance provider, taken over in a private equity deal by Aquiline Capital Partners at the end of last year, is looking to scale its operations further.
With a powerful track record in financial services, business growth and tech, Powers-Freeling led the development of M&S Money as CEO.
She has held a series of senior executive, board or non-executive positions for major organisations including the Prudential, ACE/Chubb, Lloyds Bank Group, the Bank of England, but also significant FinTech platforms including the UK’s first digital only bank Atom Bank, Uber UK (chair since October 2017) and personal finance platform Moneybox (chair since October 2021).
Manchester-based Ripe’s cloud-based underwriting and insurance distribution platform, Juice, is set for new capabilities to create dynamic and hyper-targeted digital journeys for customers. The company says this will enable ultra-fast launches of products to specific segments, using an intelligent platform to digitally outpace the market.
Ripe Thinking – Insurtech powered by next-generation digital solutions
Ripe’s proprietary tech has always played an integral role in its growth – with an average time to purchase a policy of just 3 minutes and 19 seconds and 90% of Ripe’s customers now purchasing their policies completely online.
“The Ripe team have an aptitude for innovation, the ability to digitally outpace the market and the tech infrastructure needed to change the future of insurance,” said Powers-Freeling. “Ripe’s developed a platform that can reach insurance customers in a hyper-targeted, efficient, and appealing way.
“For me, what is truly compelling about the business is that, while currently a bit modest in its footprint, it now has the formula – and the backing – needed to transform the sector. It’s a FinTech primed to scale and win.”
Paul Williams, CEO of Ripe Thinking, said: “We’re accelerating towards an exciting phase – with the opportunity to explore new markets and the ambition to become a household name.
“We welcome our new chair at a pivotal time for Ripe. Laurel has unrivalled tech and financial industry expertise, and a track record of leading companies that are digitally transforming their sector.
“With Aquiline and Laurel’s strong belief in our potential, alongside significant investment now being deployed to scale up the business, we are on a path to redefine how insurance is done.”
Colin Whitehead steps down from the role to start his retirement. John Woosey, Ripe’s founder and managing director, said: “Colin has played an important part in the success, growth and unfaltering ambitions of the business over the past 14 years – and I’m sure he will continue to support Ripe from the sidelines.”