Digital broking alliance Folio has named Daniel Isopo (pictured) as its new business development manager for New Zealand, marking a move to reinforce its regional presence amid broader industry shifts toward digital transformation and artificial intelligence integration.
Isopo will oversee the alliance’s broker engagement and growth strategy throughout New Zealand.
According to Folio, the appointment reflects its ongoing investment in tools and support services that enable brokers to operate more efficiently.
“With his experience as a broker and a fantastic network of forward-thinking insurance professionals, Dan brings invaluable industry knowledge and connections to our team,” the company said on LinkedIn.
Isopo brings experience from broking, underwriting, and client advisory roles, having most recently worked at Gallagher, where he developed insurance solutions for high-net-worth individuals in coordination with financial advisers.
Isopo’s earlier roles include underwriting duties at Astron Life Insurance, part of the Suncorp Group, where he assessed applications and managed risk exposure. He also supported customer operations during his tenure at Suncorp and worked in retail sales leadership at JB Hi-Fi prior to joining the insurance industry.
The announcement comes as global insurers evaluate how to navigate growing digital pressures. A recent study by ACORD found that only one in four insurance carriers have fully implemented digital capabilities throughout their value chains.
Meanwhile, over half of those surveyed are still assessing digital strategies, and around 10% have not initiated significant digital adoption.
The 2025 study, which reviewed 210 major insurers globally, reported that those with advanced digital maturity tend to outperform peers in value generation and operational efficiency. It also identified a direct correlation between digital capability and adoption of industry data standards.
An additional analysis within the study explored the role of artificial intelligence in supporting digital transformation. ACORD estimates that integrating AI could reduce operational costs by more than $480 billion annually for P&C insurers, and by $300 billion in the life insurance segment.
Separately, a global survey by NTT Data has highlighted a gap between AI adoption and the leadership structures required to manage it responsibly. The report, titled “The AI Responsibility Gap,” found that more than 80% of senior executives believe leadership and regulatory clarity are lagging behind AI innovation. Concerns around security, employee readiness, and sustainability also featured prominently.
