Industry leader Anthony Rouhana on leadership in an evolving insurance landscape

As the judging for the 2025 Young Insurance Professionals (YIPs) Barry Nilsson Next Gen Insurance Leader Award kicks off, we’re excited to introduce this year’s industry guest judge, Anthony Rouhana, Claims Manager, Australia at Canopius Group.

Anthony brings strategic expertise and a forward-thinking approach to this year’s judging panel. He shares his perspective on the future of insurance leadership, the importance of agility and resilience, and why strong relationships remain at the heart of the industry.

What qualities do you believe will define successful leaders in the insurance industry over the next decade?

The insurance landscape is evolving at a pace we’ve never experienced before, shaped by technology, regulation, customer expectations, and global uncertainty. In this environment, successful leaders will be those who can adapt quickly, fail fast, and move on faster. Agility and resilience will be just as important as technical expertise.

But above all, insurance remains a relationship business. The most effective leaders will have strong people skills, the ability to listen, empathise, and build genuine trust across teams, partners, and customers.

Humility will also define the next generation of leadership. Those who lead with authenticity, support others, and empower their teams to succeed will drive the greatest impact.

Finally, a winning mindset, one that embraces change as opportunity, not threat, will separate those who simply manage from those who inspire. The future of leadership in insurance will belong to those who are adaptable, collaborative, and relentlessly people-focused.

What inspired you to pursue a career in insurance?

Like many in this industry, I didn’t set out to work in insurance…I fell into it. But once I did, I quickly realised it was a career I wanted to build and grow in. Insurance touches every part of society and underpins how the world operates. From homes and businesses to travel and health, it provides stability when people and organisations need it most.

What’s always inspired me to stay is how multifaceted and dynamic this industry is. It constantly evolves as new risks, emerging technologies, and changing customer expectations keep you challenged, curious, and always learning.

Insurance is also far more entrepreneurial than people often think. There’s incredible scope to innovate, solve problems creatively, and build meaningful relationships, all within a framework grounded in compliance and responsible risk management. That balance of innovation and discipline is what makes it so rewarding.

Ultimately, being successful in insurance equips you with the skills and perspective to thrive in almost any industry. It’s a profession that combines purpose, complexity, and opportunity, and that’s what continues to inspire me every day.

Read more about the YIPs Barry Nilsson Next Gen Insurance Leader Award here.