Active risk mitigation, sweeping the floors and being honest with yourself - with Shawn Ram, Head of Insurance, Coalition

The Insurance Coffee House

“The world is changing. Technology is driving economic proliferation around the world. With that increase in technology at scale comes tremendous risk”, says Shawn.

Head of Insurance Shawn Ram, shares his transition from Aon to joining the founding team of rapidly expanding Coalition, the San Francisco-based cyber insurtech.

“What really drives our value is the fact that our insurance is active. Alongside our cyber product, we provide active risk assessment”, explains Shawn.

Having recently raised $250m in a Series F funding round, led by Allianz and supported by Kinetic Partners, Shawn shares the Coalition’s approach to data collection and assessing policyholders’ vulnerabilities.

“We track how often there's vulnerabilities in software, what technology isn't patched appropriately, any lookalike domains or any compromise. It's the same view generally that an adversary would have.”

With Coalition currently establishing a UK presence and with further expansion in to APAC planned for 2023, Shawn outlines how the business is aiming to double its headcount over the next 12 months as well maintain its culture amidst scaling.

“We desire to remain humble, we sweep the floors, we’re authentic”, says Shawn. “When you build a new operation where the individuals that are being hired in country have no background, no experience with the coalition culture, it's critical that you get that right.”

Shawn gives an insight in to Coalition’s ‘remote-first’ culture, the opportunities for high-performing talent and his experience of transitioning from large corporate to tech start-up.

“There's something that happens in a start-up environment. There's no alternative, it's like success or failure. There's no middle ground. As a company or as an individual, it breeds a different level of commitment, diligence and vigour.”

Shawn concludes with offering advice to anyone seeking to join a tech-enabled business.

“Evaluate the mission, evaluate the vision, evaluate the people. The people you surround yourself with are critical. And be honest with yourself. Do you have the attributes needed to grind in a start-up environment? Are you comfortable with the pace and speed in which it operates?"

Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn or find out more about opportunities at Coalition.

The Insurance Coffee House Podcast is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO, Insurance Search, the Executive Search Consultancy for growing Insurance and Insurtech businesses across the globe.

To discuss identifying & attracting the very best talent to your team or being a podcast guest, reach out to Nick via [e-mail] or connect on LinkedIn

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