We recently sat down with Davide Burlon, Akur8’s new Regional Sales Director for EMEA, to tap into his industry experience and explore the challenges insurers face today in  pricing and reserving. Davide also discusses why Akur8’s mission resonated with him, and outlines his vision for the months ahead.

First of all, a warm welcome to Akur8! You’ve been familiar with Akur8 for some time through previous collaborations. What made this the right moment for you to officially join the team and take on this new role?

My journey with Akur8 began in 2020, shortly after their Series A funding round. After several years of close collaboration, I saw a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the company's growth. I joined Akur8 as Regional Sales Director for EMEA, marking an exciting transition into commercial leadership. I am thrilled to be part of a dynamic, mission-driven organization at the forefront of insurance innovation.

In your previous role you advised numerous insurers across different markets. From your perspective, what are the biggest challenges in pricing and reserving today?

Many of the challenges remain fundamentally rooted in data. This extends beyond the data itself to include the entire ecosystem of data capture, storage, management, cleaning, and the ability to generate timely, informed decisions based on it, often through advanced modeling techniques. Addressing these challenges requires not only robust data infrastructure, but also talent with the right expertise and mindset to fully leverage pricing and reserving technologies.

As workflows in underwriting, distribution, and pricing become increasingly automated, it is crucial to have systems managed by professionals who possess both technical knowledge and curiosity, allowing them to test and refine models efficiently. While the core mathematical frameworks for pricing and reserving have not significantly changed, the ability to quickly assess the value of new datasets, evaluate rating structures, and analyze various development curve assumptions under varying economic scenarios has become critical for achieving a competitive edge.

Based on your experience watching the space evolve, what differentiates Akur8 in the actuarial technology landscape?

Akur8 stands out for several reasons. First, it is a true SaaS platform designed natively for the cloud and free from legacy system constraints that often challenge earlier market entrants. Second, Akur8 fosters a dynamic culture of continuous product development, driven by the high caliber of its teams and strong partnerships with clients and investors. Notably, it was the first actuarial suite to offer transparent AutoML capabilities as a standard feature. Finally, Akur8’s business model as a genuine technology company enables it to consistently deliver on its promise to be the next-generation pricing and reserving solution. The platform is accessible to actuarial professionals globally – requiring only a browser and an internet connection.

Now that you’ve officially joined Akur8, what will be your main priorities in the  first few months?

The EMEA region brings together a highly diverse group of insurers, from long-established market leaders to agile, high-performing MGAs – each with their own distinct actuarial needs and expectations. One of my key priorities will be to ensure we not only meet but consistently exceed these varied requirements, upholding Akur8’s reputation for outstanding client service while continuously enhancing the customer experience.