Brit appoints Bilge Mert as new Chief Technology Officer

Brit, a leading global specialty insurer and reinsurer focused on underwriting complex risks, has announced the appointment of Bilge Mert as Chief Technology Officer.

In this role, Mert will be responsible for leading Brit’s technology and data strategy to further advance the business’ focus on delivering an innovative, data-driven, and technology-empowered platform for underwriting, claims, and operations. Brit has been a leading participant in the digitalisation of the London market, including launching Ki, the Lloyd's market's first fully digital and algorithmically driven syndicate in 2020.

Bringing experience from within the insurance industry 

With 18 years of experience in technology, Mert brings a strong track record in driving commercial value and business transformation through the integration of automation and technology. She joins from InsurTech iptiQ, Swiss Re’s start-up where she most recently held the position of Senior Director and member of the Executive Committee. Here, Bilge was responsible for developing and driving iptiQ’s tech strategy, building its global engineering community and delivering its white labelled insurance platform to iptiQ’s distribution partners.

Sheel Sawhney, Group Head of Claims and Operations at Brit Insurance, said: “Brit continues to fully embrace the power of automation, machine learning, data and technology with a view to enhance and transform how we underwrite, service claims and improve customers’ experience. Bilge brings a strong blend of experience from both within and outside the insurance industry and her appointment will enable us to continue in this mission, applying the latest innovations, approaches, and technology to how we write risk.”

Bilge also brings valuable experience from outside of the insurance industry, with a career that has spanned, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), pharmaceuticals and consultancy. Prior to joining iptiQ in 2019, she previously worked at British American Tobacco, Mondelez and Accenture UK.

Developing innovative solutions

Brit is a market-leading global specialty (re)insurer and the largest business that trades primarily on the Lloyd's of London platform, the world's leading specialist commercial insurance market. Brit provides highly specialised insurance and reinsurance products to support its clients across a broad range of complex risks, with a strong focus on property, energy and casualty business.

Bilge Mert said: “Brit is one of the most innovative firms in the market when it comes to using technology and digitisation to drive better outcomes for clients, brokers and the sector at large. As an organisation with genuine conviction in the transformative power of tech and data in insurance, I’m excited to be joining Brit, and look forward to working with the team to continue developing innovative solutions to the market’s challenges.”