About us
// About Us
Charles started DA Strategy in 2015 to support Insurers, Managing Agents, Brokers, Coverholders and MGAs navigating the multi-faceted challenges of Delegated Authority business. DA Strategy is a leading Delegated Authority consultancy in London comprising experienced London Market professionals with expertise in a broad range of specialised areas key to the Delegated Authority success including start up MGA Acceleration, Data Strategy, DA Risk Management Optimisation and Product Governance.
With a specific focus on speed to market, DA Strategy is an MGA accelerator helping new MGAs make an impact in the sector. Unlike other MGA incubators and partners, DA Strategy does not require an equity stake in the MGAs they support and provides a service customised to their needs.
From helping an MGA with a strategic review, implementing its own Delegated Authority processes or providing a tailored outsourced offering, DA Strategy’s clients can concentrate on making their business trading decisions knowing that they have peace of mind with high quality support for their Delegated Authority strategy and structures in place.
DA Strategy also provides expert advice and an experienced resource for carriers considering an in-house review of their risk management and product governance frameworks which can be helpful in advance of a ‘deep dive’ regulatory review. Its expertise crosses over into operational best practices where it can impart deep understanding of IT systems and software to assist carriers and MGAs with choosing and implementing systems or system upgrades.
DA Strategy addresses the significant challenges MGAs, brokers and carriers face due to the increased oversight from the FCA and other regulators and the external regulatory pressure on risk management, product governance, Solvency II, due diligence and data sharing.
With offices in London and Hamburg, DA Strategy can deliver global solutions to businesses of any size and ambition.
// Our Team
Meet our experienced team

Charles Rowley
Director

Paul Uprichard
Director

John Threshie
Associate Director

Kajal Pankhania
Manager

Madelene Ottosen
Operations Lead

Anne Hansen
Consultant

Matthew Phillips
Consultant

Bartek Gacka
Associate Consultant

Habeeb Lawal
Associate Consultant

Szymon Binienda
Associate Consultant

Clodagh Hegarty
Associate Consultant

James Bearryman
Associate Consultant

Michael Delaney
Associate Consultant


Joe Mabey
Associate Consultant

Charles Rowley
Charles founded D A Strategy in 2015 to deliver expert Delegated Authority advice to Insurers, Brokers and Coverholders or/MGAs. He has 25 years of Delegated Authority Experience, previously as Head of Delegated Authority at Catlin (now AXA XL Catlin) for 13 years. He led the team that helped grow the Delegated Authority portfolio there from GPW USD 80 M to 1.1 Bn, expanding the Coverholder client base alongside Underwriters from 120 to over 800. He chaired LMA Delegated Authority Operations Committee leading the market initiative which developed the vision and key priorities for the LMG Delegated Authority TOM which are now part of Lloyd’s Blueprint 2. He has presented at Lloyd’s and the MGAA numerous times including at the Lloyd’s CEO Strategy evening, on Coverholder Data standards, Product Governance Roadshows and the ITC London Panel.
He studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, rowed for the University Lightweight Rowing team, is ACII qualified and more recently completed the Lloyd’s London Business School – Executive leadership program.

Paul Uprichard
Paul Uprichard was previously Head of Delegated Underwriting at Sompo International, where he built up the function from scratch over 6 years. He has a deep knowledge of all aspects of Delegated Underwriting and Delegated Claims including leading or supporting a number of strategic initiatives, both internally and within the market. He began his insurance career in 2004 and has held a number of delegated underwriting and market committee roles with companies such as Newline, QBE, Brit Insurance and Ascot Underwriting. Paul has also been a strategic advisor to several start-ups, both in the UK and overseas, for over a decade. He has a degree in Accounting and Financial Management and has studied Fintech through MIT, culminating in a Capstone project focused on the future use of the MGA model for Insurtechs and broader digital strategy in the insurance market.

Marcus Elwes
Marcus is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute who commenced his insurance career in 1989. Since then, he has acquired experience over a wide range of disciplines, having spent 25 years on the broking side of the business, specialising in professional indemnity insurance, before moving to the underwriting side in 2014, becoming the DUA Manager at Arch Insurance (syndicate and company). Whilst at Arch, Marcus developed and rolled out a DUA framework for coverholder and binding authority approval and oversight and was additionally instrumental in developing a Conduct and Product Risk framework whilst there. Marcus spearheaded the team at Arch who successfully obtained a ‘Green’ rating for Conduct Risk from Lloyds in early 2017 and in the process became a subject matter expert on the processes and regulatory framework around Conduct and Product Risk management. Marcus joined DA Strategy in 2017 as an Associate and has, since that time, specialised in Conduct Risk and Product Governance, with particular focus on ensuring good consumer outcomes in delegated authority distribution arrangements. Marcus also provides advice and consultancy on professional indemnity insurance arrangements, particularly for regulated professions. Since 2017, Marcus has worked with a large number of insurance companies, MGAs and regulatory bodies, including TMK, Charles Taylor, IGI Insurance Company, Arch and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Kaj Pankhania
Kaj has over 10 years of Delegated Authority experience and was the Compliance Officer at a Master MGA previously. She was part of the foundations of setting the MGA up, obtaining Lloyd’s approval initially and growing the MGA to have oversight of over 100 coverholders and 20 DCAs. She was responsible for conducting reviews of wordings, pre bind due diligence, the audit process and implementing policies and procedures. Multiple capacity providers with various differing needs meant processes had to be streamlined and this sparked her passion for ensuring that processes are efficient so that MGAs can focus on building their income streams.
She is a founding member of the MGAA Next Gen Committee and is also an active member of the compliance and Lloyd’s market forums. She was also invited to present at WSIA on the benefits of good compliance and integrating this into the culture of a firm. She studied Law at University and went on to complete her LPC.

Anne Hansen
Anne has 9 years’ experience in operations management, stemming from both supply chain operations and the financial services. She joined DA Strategy in June 2022 and is well suited to DA team due to her skills in strategic review and project management.
She has developed a breadth of knowledge across Delegated Authority Risk Management in both delegated underwriting and delegated claims using best practice and process review to reduce operational burdens. Anne has a keen interest in data governance and strategy and its application to the Insurance industry.
She studied Science at the University of Melbourne, plays Tag Rugby for Great Britain and is studying for her London Market Qualifications.

Bartek Gacka
Bartek joined DA Strategy in February 2022 serving as an Analyst. He quickly gained experience in Standard Operating Procedures working on monthly data sets and reporting. He has further developed his Delegated Authority knowledge in audits, working on audit scheduling and recommendations alongside DCA due-diligence and lineslip contract review.

Habeeb Lawal
Habeeb Studied at the University of Essex and graduated in 2021 with a Bsc(Hons) in Actuarial Science. Specialising in Mathematics and Statistics in an insurance application, his strengths are well suited to DA. Since joining DA Strategy, Habeeb has gained a wide range of experience in areas such as bordereaux management, Coverholder due diligence and contract drafting reviewing.
Having received exemptions CT1 – 8 from the IFOA, Habeeb looks to expand the breadth of his insurance knowledge working towards completing the London Market Insurance qualifications.

Szymon Binienda
Szymon studied law at the University of Bristol, graduating in 2020. Szymon then joined the Insurance industry in 2021 forming part of a legal team in a specialist PI brokerage firm. Szymon has since gained experience in professional indemnity, contract review, negotiation and since joining DA Strategy in September 2022, delegated authority with a focus on compliance and Product Governance. Szymon has begun studying towards the London Market Insurance qualifications as he continues to deepen his knowledge within the Delegated Authority space.

Clodagh Hegarty
Clodagh graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a First-Class Honours degree in Philosophy and Economics in 2022. Her undergraduate degree enhanced her aptitude for logical reasoning, independent research, and critical analysis. She has a keen interest in utilising her multidisciplinary background and enhancing her analytical skills in the context of delegated authority consulting, due diligence practice and strategic reviews.
She is working towards obtaining her London Market Insurance qualifications alongside her development of expertise in the Delegated Authority space.

James Berryman
James graduated from Durham University with a degree in Philosophy in 2021 and subsequently obtained a Master’s degree in Law. James has a particular interest in the complex legal and regulatory requirements relating to delegated authorities, and in the systems and controls firms can put in place to ensure they comply with obligations.

Michael Delaney
Michael studied at the University of Plymouth, graduating in 2022 with First Class Honours BA History. His degree has stretched and enhanced his ability to consume volumes of information to provide summary analysis, supported by detail. His previous experience includes working within a management and procurement consultancy, where he processed diligence documents for possible business synergies. Michael is currently working towards the CII Certificate and is excited to explore the world of delegated authority.

John Threshie
John has over 30 years in the insurance market covering broking, international markets and distribution, has broad specialty class experience and an extensive London Market network across Lloyd’s, Company markets and brokers. He started at Willis, broking both reinsurance and retail, moving to EW Payne/Sedgwick Re where he worked in London, Tokyo and Sydney. In 1999 he joined the London office of Lloyd’s Japan Inc. (LJI) a General Agent in Japan and later a Lloyd’s Coverholder. As Development Director, John’s key roles involved placing LJI’s multi class binding authorities and referred risks, developing product with underwriters for the Japanese market and developing a pipeline of business from London brokers. In 2009 John moved to Global Markets in Lloyd’s, continuing the LJI role but also supporting Lloyd’s China and Lloyd’s Asia market development. John joined the Corporation’s new Broker Relationship Management team in 2015. He started supporting DA Strategy in December 2022, becoming an Associate in April 2023.

Madelene Ottosen
Madelene is an experienced strategic Operations Lead who focuses on driving seamless execution, fostering innovation, and enhancing process efficiency to fuel strong growth within a business. With a solid academic foundation culminating in an MSc in International Business and practical expertise in operations, project management, HR, and finance, she has supported businesses to succeed in these areas. Having a keen affinity for startups, she thrives in dynamic environments, working collaboratively with and for startups to help navigate challenges and seize opportunities. With a commitment to excellence, she is dedicated to fostering cross-functional collaborations, driving transformative change, and nurturing continuous improvement.

Matthew Phillips
Matthew has worked in insurance since 2018, he holds a degree in Business Management from City, University of London. He began his insurance journey at D A Strategy, quickly delving into various Delegated Authority roles with our clients at the time, subsequently moving on to amass extensive expertise in Delegated Claims Authority through roles at two Lloyd’s managing agents. With comprehensive knowledge in all facets of Delegated Authority management, he excels in process enhancement and is actively pursuing a Diploma in Insurance.

Jack Weitzman
Jack studied at Birmingham City University graduating with First Class Honours in BEng Mechanical Engineering. His degree enhanced his ability to perform data analysis and sharpened his numerical proficiency. Jack is currently gaining exposure in the field of delegated authority and working towards the CII Certificate, while utilising the skills he developed during his studies and enjoying his new role in consulting.

Joe Mabey
Joe obtained an LLM Dispute Resolution degree in 2022 from the University of Law, having studied Sports Business as an undergraduate. He is determined to build upon the challenge of completing a law masters and use his research and analytical skills to progress as a delegated authority consultant. Joe is particularly interested in compliance and due diligence, and he is looking forward to working towards gaining the Cert CII qualification.