Live from InsureTek Dubai 2022, Sir David Porter interviews Aftab Hassan, CEO of Arya Insurance Brokerage and Chairman of Risk Exchange DFC. With over three decades of experience in the insurance industry, Hassan offers a seasoned perspective on how InsurTech, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are fundamentally reshaping global insurance and reinsurance.
Full interview recorded live at InsureTek Dubai • February 2022
A Veteran Leader in Insurance & InsurTech
Aftab Hassan is no stranger to the evolving insurance landscape. As CEO of Arya Insurance Brokerage — a technology-driven direct insurance and InsurTech company established in 1988 — and Chairman of Risk Exchange DFC, a specialized reinsurance intermediary, he operates at the intersection of traditional insurance and cutting-edge innovation. His extensive experience spans all classes of insurance, including marine, property, casualty, liability, medical, and life.
InsureTek Dubai: Where Industry Leaders Converge
Hassan has been an active member of the InsureTek community since its inception and currently serves as a jury member for the prestigious InsureTek Awards. He described the event’s remarkable growth, noting the high-caliber attendance of CEOs and industry pioneers. For Hassan, the value of InsureTek lies in the opportunity to reconnect face-to-face after years of virtual interactions, fostering meaningful partnerships and exchanging insights on market trends during a time of global uncertainty.
On Blockchain & the Future of Insurance
Aftab emphasized that InsurTech — encompassing blockchain, artificial intelligence, and machine learning — is fundamentally changing how insurance is underwritten and sold. The industry is shifting away from traditional “off-the-shelf” products pushed by agents toward customer-centric aggregator models that empower policyholders to choose coverage based on their actual needs.
“These reinsurance contracts with the major global players are now being scripted on the blockchain… This brings a paradigm shift with dramatically reduced chances of fraud, document failure, or data theft.”
Leadership on Stage at InsureTek
During the conference, Hassan moderated a high-profile CEO panel and delivered his own speaking session the following day. He also serves as Secretary General of the Insurance Business Group (IBG), a networking nonprofit organization operating under the auspices of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The conversation underscores a clear message: technology is no longer a peripheral tool in insurance — it is becoming the very foundation of trust, efficiency, and customer empowerment in the industry.