Pinion Appoints Robert Carlaw as CTO to Lead the Next Era of Sarrus Innovation

London, 22 October 2026.

Pinion Insurance, a London-headquartered specialty insurance carrier formed earlier this year, has today announced the appointment of Robert Carlaw as Chief Technical Officer (CTO), strengthening its technology leadership as the company prepares to scale its data-driven insurance platform and underwriting operations.

Carlaw brings more than two decades of experience in software engineering and digital transformation, with a strong track record of delivering data-driven solutions that align technology initiatives with business objectives. He joins from SMS Solutions, where he served as Head of Architecture and Software Engineering, having previously held senior technology roles across range of technology-led and regulated industries.

Carlaw’s appointment reflects Pinion’s strategy of looking beyond the traditional insurance talent pool and attracting people who have built and operated modern technology environments in sectors where cloud infrastructure, automation, continuous delivery and sophisticated data engineering are already embedded into the way businesses operate.

Laura Baird, Co-Founder and Group CTO of Pinion, said: “There’s a big opportunity in insurance is to bring in people who have seen what great technology looks like outside the traditional insurance environment and give them the opportunity to rethink how an insurer should operate today.

We are building Pinion differently from the outset. Technology and IT are not a standalone functions; they are fundamental to how we intend to underwrite, operate and serve our partners. Attracting senior talent from more technology-advanced industries is an important part of bringing new thinking into insurance and accelerating the pace of innovation across the sector.”

Carlaw will lead the continued development of Pinion's proprietary technology platform, Sarrus, as the company continues to expand its specialty insurance operations. Sarrus provides daily portfolio visibility and audit-ready reporting, helping MGA and reinsurances partners access more timely data and insight across their portfolios. Through the continued development of Pinion's innovative technology platform, Carlaw aims to modernise data exchange across the sector, further enhancing Pinion's capabilities in an evolving insurance market.

Philip Vandoninck, Co-Founder and Group Chief Underwriting Officer, said: “Robert brings a rare combination of deep technical expertise, leadership experience and a proven track record of delivering technology that supports real business outcomes. As we continue to develop our platform and expand the business, his experience will be invaluable in helping us turn our ambitions into reality.”

Carlaw’s appointment comes during a period of growth for Pinion, following a series of new hires including US CEO, Gary S. Maier, US Chief Underwriting Officer, Kyle Selvig, and Group Chief Financial Officer, Chris Jones, earlier this year.

Carlaw said: “What attracted me to Pinion was the opportunity to apply technology to complex, real-world challenges and see its impact directly. The Insurance sector has significant scope for innovation, and Pinion has created an environment where technology is central to how the business operates and grows. I’m excited to join the team and help build what comes next.”

About Pinion Insurance

Pinion Insurance is a newly formed specialty insurance carrier backed by Barings and built on the foundations of Pinion Risk Consulting, a data and analytics advisory firm for MGAs. Combining advanced data science, modern engineering, and deep underwriting experience, Pinion will offer capacity for MGAs across the US, UK, and Europe, through its proprietary technology platform Sarrus.

Issued by Rein4ce on behalf of Pinion Insurance.