Delegated Authority: The Rise of Strategic Partnerships
Partnerships are the foundation of success in the Delegated Authority market. To thrive in this complex landscape, MGAs and Coverholders must move beyond transactional relationships and embrace strategic collaborations that drive trust, efficiency, and innovation. In episode 2 of GreenKite’s ‘Ask the Expert’ podcast series, Delegated Authority: The Rise of Strategic Partnerships, Sara Ager, CEO of GreenKite, was joined by Helen Donegan, COO at Canopius, to explore how operational improvements and oversight in Delegated Authority has evolved and why it matters more than ever.
The evolution of partnerships
Partnerships have traditionally been transactional. But today, strategic, long-term collaborations are becoming the norm. As Helen Donegan explains, ‘It’s not just about contracts and capacity; it’s about creating partnerships that align operational needs with business goals.’ The foundation of the relationship has traditionally been commercial in nature. However, as regulatory scrutiny increases, Managing Agencies have recognised that to drive increased profitability, improved risk management and greater operational oversight is essential. Data is now the common language, and there is an understanding that there is increased competitive advantage in having a detailed understanding of your partners at your fingertips.
Operational enhancements that deliver true value
Historically, the set-up of a Delegated Authority relationship was an administrative task. In today’s regulatory landscape, risk management and mitigation are at the heart of all assurance activities. No longer are onboarding and renewal just checklist processes; it’s the foundations of your go-forward relationship.
Delivering a solid foundation for successful partnership is built on transparency, data and a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your partner. This results in a detailed understanding of the risks of delegation to your business as you have a detailed understanding, backed by data, as to how well managed the partner firm is.
Consumer Duty and collaboration
Consumer Duty has reshaped the Delegated Authority landscape, requiring businesses to deliver fair value, transparency, and accountability. As Sara notes, ‘Consumer Duty is an opportunity to strengthen partnerships by aligning operational frameworks with customer outcomes. It’s not just about meeting regulatory requirements. It’s how you deliver value at every step.’
Data and technology: The backbone of Delegation
Clean, actionable data is critical for managing risk, improving compliance, and driving operational efficiencies for the partners. Business strategies supported by data are central to success. Ensuring accurate data and reporting is available, which drives better decision-making. Technology solutions and business processes are enablers for accurate data, and it’s important that business users get involved in these initiatives. Integrating scalable platforms and automating manual processes enables firms to meet regulatory demands, reduce operational cost and achieve long-term growth and ultimately profitability.
‘Technology is only as effective as the business process it is supporting, and the business input provided by the subject matter experts’, Helen explains.
Looking ahead
The future of Delegated Authority lies in collaboration, transparency, and innovation. By combining governance expertise with commercial expertise, we are redefining what partnerships in delegation can achieve. Partnerships are multi-faceted, with Coverholders/MGAs, Technology vendors, consultancies such as GreenKite, and business users being the only way to drive sustainable improvements in the Delegated Authority model. As Sara concludes, ‘Partnerships that evolve and adapt to the needs of the market will drive better outcomes for MGAs, Insurers, and customers alike. Together, we are setting a new standard for success in delegation to drive profit.’
Want to learn more? Listen to episode 2 on Podbean or Spotify. Watch it on YouTube.
Why should you listen?
In this episode, Sara Ager and Helen Donegan dive into strategies that are reshaping partnerships in delegation. Whether you’re an MGA/Coverholder completing due diligence, an Insurer managing Delegated Authorities, or an industry professional looking to optimise risk management practices in Delegated Authority, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and forward-thinking advice. Learn from experienced practitioners how firms partner to deliver value at every stage of the Delegated Authority journey – from risk assessments and compliance to data strategy and innovation. Don’t miss this chance to gain practical tools and fresh perspectives that can help you stay ahead in a dynamic market.
