Meet the Pros: Hans Døhlen

Since joining Pro on 1st November 2023, Hans has been leading the charge for our European MGA growth, combining his underwriting expertise with a track record of entrepreneurial thinking. With 18 years in the industry, Hans is known for pushing boundaries, including the creation of the world’s first “Shareholder Activist Protection Insurance.” 

A passionate advocate for insurance innovation and the digitisation of underwriting, Hans brings deep market insight, a love of tech, and an international mindset to the Pro team. We caught up with him to talk about the MGA landscape across Europe, and what the future holds. 

Q1: You’ve been with Pro MGA Solutions Europe since 2023. What has stood out most in your experience working with ambitious MGAs so far? 

“It’s been a mix of impressions, but overwhelmingly positive. What really stands out is the curiosity – the genuine eagerness from MGA start-ups to make a meaningful difference in the industry. I find it incredibly energising to work with clients who are pushing boundaries and challenging the norm. 

Another standout is the talent. It’s fascinating to see how MGAs are now a magnet for top industry professionals. There’s a real shift happening, and MGAs are increasingly seen as the speedboats of the insurance industry – agile, innovative, and fast-moving. 

There’s also a great deal of persistence. Many underestimate the complexity of getting an MGA off the ground. It’s a process that demands serious heavy lifting, aligning building blocks, navigating regulation, structuring the proposition, but it’s also hugely rewarding. I often say the industry should show more gratitude and support to MGAs. After all, they’re entrepreneurial ventures at heart and deserve recognition and backing from wider insurance stakeholders. 

Lastly, innovation has been a key theme. I’ve learned so much from our clients and truly admire their drive to do things differently. But let’s be honest – insurance is a traditionalist space, and pushing through innovation can be tough. The market likes to hear new ideas, but translating that into real investment and delegated authority is another challenge altogether. It takes courage, and conviction.” 

Q2: What do you think sets the European MGA market apart from other regions? 

“What makes Europe so unique is that it’s not one unified market, it’s a patchwork of individual countries, each with its own regulatory framework, business culture, and market dynamics. That makes it both complex and incredibly diverse. 

There’s often a perception that the European MGA space is unstructured, and in some ways that’s true – unlike the US or UK, there isn’t one central driver. Each market functions as its own ecosystem. That said, we’re seeing real progress. For a long time, the European MGA sector was a bit of a ‘black box,’ lacking transparency and data. That made investors and insurers hesitant to engage. But now, thanks to emerging data sources, we’re getting better visibility and understanding, and that’s breaking down barriers. 

We’ve long seen how data has supported MGA growth in the US; it’s helped to ‘oil the wheels’ of the sector. We’re finally seeing similar developments in Europe, and that’s opening up more opportunity. 

There are also some standout markets paving the way. In the Netherlands, for example, MGAs account for up to a third of the total market. That sets a powerful example for what’s possible. 

Personally, I’d love to see an organisation like the MGAA (Managing General Agents’ Association) take root in Europe. And the momentum is building – the first European MGA Summit generated a great deal of interest and energy. It’s clear there’s appetite for a more unified voice for MGAs across the continent.” 

Q3: The MGA space is evolving fast – what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities in the European MGA sector right now? 

“By nature, I’m an optimist; so let me start with the opportunities, which far outweigh the challenges. There’s a real sense of momentum in the European MGA space right now. 

Recent figures show around 20% year-on-year growth for MGAs across Europe, and there’s no sign of that slowing down. That’s a clear indicator of the strength and appeal of the model. 

At the same time, insurers are facing increasing pressure to grow – and it’s becoming clear that internal growth alone won’t be enough to meet their targets. That creates a huge opportunity for MGAs to step in and fill the gap, offering agility, innovation and distribution reach that carriers often struggle to replicate in-house. 

What’s also encouraging is that MGAs are no longer seen as a niche or second-tier option. In most markets, they’ve moved from being the new kids on the block to fully accepted players. The reputational doubts of the past have largely faded; today, MGAs are recognised as essential engines of growth and innovation for the industry. 

It really feels like we’ve moved from the ‘black box’ perception to something more like a ‘fish tank’ – stakeholders are peering in with curiosity and respect, genuinely intrigued by what MGAs are building. 

Of course, there are still challenges. The P&C market is softening, and historically that’s made things harder for MGAs, as carriers tend to tighten control of delegated authority. That said, I believe we’re in a different era now. Insurers have matured their MGA strategies and are less reactive, which could help stabilise the impact. 

We’re also seeing more rigorous due diligence from carriers when onboarding new MGAs. While that’s understandable, it does stretch timelines and demands significant resources; a burden that often falls squarely on the MGA. Capacity remains both vital and still at times hard to secure. 

And then there’s investment. While proven MGA models are still attracting attention, it remains a challenge for very early-stage or pre-seed ventures to secure their first funding. Convincing investors at that stage can be a tough talk – and an even tougher walk.” 

Q4: Building on that, you’ve long been a champion for Insurtech – how do you see tech and data shaping the MGA value chain in the next five years? 

“There’s an enormous opportunity here, and I think we’re just at the beginning of what’s possible. My hope is that in the coming years, we’ll see tech and data take off in ways that truly transform how MGAs operate, particularly when it comes to underwriting. 

I’m especially excited about the potential to digitise underwriting as a core process. Right now, a lot of underwriting still relies on manual inputs and legacy systems. But by pairing smart data with technology, MGAs can move toward a model where underwriting becomes a streamlined, digital process. 

We’ll start to see more sophisticated algorithms that don’t replace the underwriter, but enhance their decisions. The underwriter’s role will shift from data analyst to strategic risk assessor, leveraging insights from structured data to make more confident, informed decisions. 

The big carriers often move like oil tankers; slow to adapt, slow to innovate. That creates a real window of opportunity for MGAs to lead the charge. If they can think outside the box and embrace new tools, MGAs can truly redefine the value chain and set a new standard for the industry.” 

Thanks for your insights, Hans. We’re excited to have you leading the charge in Europe and helping shape the future of MGA innovation at Pro. 

Find out more: https://pro-global.com/pro-mga/