Experienced insurance leader Jacki Johnson will give a candid speech at the upcoming Insurance News conference, tackling critical issues around risk and relevance.

As affordability issues spiral and governments increasingly look to intervene in insurance markets, Dr Johnson will stress the need for the industry to evolve if it wants to retain its position of relevance.

Outlook 2026 is on March 19 in Sydney, and tickets are available here. 

Dr Johnson spent two decades at IAG in senior positions including group executive of people, performance and reputation, and NZ CEO. She has held system-level roles including co-chair of the UN Environment Program Finance Initiative and founding chair of the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute.

She received the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance lifetime achievement award in 2022.

“Insurance is more than a product – it is economic infrastructure,” Dr Johnson told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“The industry must evolve to stay relevant as the nature of risk itself changes.” 

Other sessions at Outlook 2026 include a keynote speech by Insurance Council of Australia CEO Andrew Hall on major challenges facing the industry, a panel on the future of broking, and presentations on AI, cyber, workplace wellbeing and claims.

The final session is the annual CEO panel, which includes AUB CEO Mike Emmett, AIG Australia CEO Kathleen Warden, Allianz chief GM of commercial and personal injury Julie Mitchell, and Aon Australia CEO Kevan Johnston. 

Attendees will also gain access to an exclusive printed copy of our INFORM report, compiled with experts at Finity. The report provides a detailed analysis of rates, capacity and profitability across commercial and personal lines, plus a series of in-depth features addressing issues including the rational/irrational soft market, the psychological claims crisis, and cyber risks and myths. 

The event is backed by gold partners QBE and Tata Consultancy Services, and sponsors Entsia, AAMC and Australia Underwriting.

Attendees are eligible for eight ANZIIF CIP points and six NIBA CPD points.