The Asta Interview with ARTes
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Underwriting Officer
Chris Thomas and Richard Brown’s partnership is the cornerstone of ARTes Specialty’s success. With a shared vision for innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit, the duo has turned ARTes into a leader in the specialty insurance space, delivering tailored solutions to niche markets. Since launching ARTes, Chris and Richard have cultivated a culture of creativity, collaboration, and resilience, navigating the challenges of building a business with determination and strategic insight. In this interview, they reflect on how ARTes has grown since its inception, the importance of strong partnerships—both within their team and with key stakeholders like Asta—and their approach to fostering innovation in a rapidly evolving industry.
Q. How has life at ARTes evolved since we last spoke in October 2022? Can you share some key milestones in the business’s growth?
Chris: The past couple of years have been transformative for us. We’ve shifted from what we used to call the “nursery pool” stage to navigating the open ocean. This period of refinement and growth has helped us build confidence and independence, and it’s been exciting to put down roots as the business continues to grow. Our team has expanded, we’ve established a physical office, and we’re seeing our vision take shape. We’ve learned to spot time-wasters and focus on relationships that align with our values. ARTes has always been about doing things differently, and that philosophy is now firmly embedded in how we operate.
Richard: It’s been a journey of constant evolution. The lessons we’ve learned have shaped our approach—whether it’s refining our processes or building stronger relationships with partners. The team is maturing, and we’re increasingly recognized for our niche expertise. More than ever, we’re committed to being a leader in specialty insurance, and that’s reflected in everything we do.
Q. Chris, how do you balance the need for sector-specific expertise with the broader goal of scaling the business?
Chris: For us, it’s about finding the right distribution partners—whether they bring innovative products needing fresh capacity or market access for new ideas. Allowing creativity to flow and being bold enough to try something different has been essential. Insurance is a problem-solving business, and innovation often comes from understanding niche challenges and addressing them head-on.
We never wanted to be just another MGA fighting for market share. Over the last three years, we’ve shown there’s room for creativity and solutions that resonate with partners who want to shape their own futures. The key is striking that balance between niche expertise and sustainable scalability.
Q. Richard, what strategies do you see as key to managing ARTes’ growth while staying true to its niche focus?
Richard: Maintaining a clear focus on our identity has been crucial. ARTes is not about doing what everyone else is doing—we’re about finding gaps in the market and delivering bespoke solutions. To manage growth, we’ve invested in developing strong partnerships and building trust, both internally with our team and externally with clients. It’s also about discipline. While opportunities are exciting, they need to align with our ethos. Growth without losing sight of what makes ARTes unique is the ultimate goal.
Q. Your partnership as co-leaders is central to ARTes’ success. How do your leadership styles complement each other?
Chris: The foundation of our partnership is a strong and honest friendship. We trust each other completely, which creates a safe space to discuss strengths, weaknesses, and even vulnerabilities. That honesty allows us to work effectively and instinctively—half the time, we don’t even need to ask each other to do things; it just happens.
Richard: Agreed. What’s been key is ensuring this culture filters through to the team. We want to replicate that synergy within ARTes so it becomes part of how we operate as a business. Trust and alignment drive everything we do, and I think that’s reflected in how we work with our team and partners.
Q. Innovation is clearly at the heart of ARTes’ ethos. How do you ensure ARTes stays ahead of industry trends while maintaining its focus on niche and specialty markets?
Chris: Innovation often means spotting opportunities others overlook or dismiss as too complex. We’re not reinventing the wheel, but we do take existing designs and make them better. Our size allows us to act quickly and bring products to market faster than larger, less agile organisations.
Richard: We also embrace technology and data to refine our approach. For instance, we use AI and open-source data to analyse risks at a granular level—something many competitors don’t do. This enables us to underwrite smarter and offer coverages that other MGAs might shy away from. It’s about being precise and proactive, ensuring we’re always a step ahead.
Q. You’ve recently launched a new product with Mobius for the Australian logging market. Chris, what excites you most about this partnership and product?
Chris: It’s the alignment between our organisations. Mobius shares our passion for solving niche challenges and providing tailored solutions. The Australian logging market has unique risks, and working with Mobius to create a product that combines material damage and liability cover with local claims handling has been a fantastic experience. Their family-run ethos mirrors our own journey, which makes this collaboration even more rewarding.
Richard: What’s really exciting is the opportunity this product represents for ARTes. It’s a tangible example of how we can build partnerships to break into underserved markets. The comprehensive and holistic product offering which we’ve brought to market is a testament to the strong alignment between ARTes and Mobius. It also sets the stage for future collaborations that showcase our ability to innovate and deliver value.
Q. ARTes has expanded its North American portfolio through a partnership with DUAL North America. Can you share what this collaboration means for ARTes’ growth strategy?
Chris: Partnering with DUAL North America is a major step forward for us. Their expertise and established market presence perfectly complement our focus on niche solutions. Through this collaboration, we’re offering inland marine and associated coverages for industries like crane and rigging, heavy haul transport, and energy. This partnership reflects our commitment to working with the best in the business to expand our footprint in meaningful ways.
Richard: This collaboration is also about synergy. DUAL N. America’s strengths in distribution and ARTes’ ability to deliver bespoke underwriting solutions make us a formidable team. It’s partnerships like these that highlight ARTes’ ability to innovate and scale strategically while maintaining our focus on client-specific needs.
Q. What challenges do you see ahead for MGAs, and how is ARTes preparing to navigate them?
Chris: The regulatory landscape is becoming increasingly complex, and staying ahead requires agility and expertise. This is where our partnership with Asta provides a competitive edge. Their team ensures we remain compliant and helps us navigate changes efficiently, giving us the freedom to focus on our core strengths.
Richard: There’s also the challenge of finding the right capacity and distribution partners. We’ve learned to be discerning, identifying partners who align with our values and long-term goals. This selective approach has been crucial to maintaining profitability and sustainability.
Q. The partnership with Asta remains a cornerstone of ARTes’ operations. How does Asta’s MGA platform support ARTes in delivering bespoke solutions?
Richard: Asta has been instrumental in our development. Their team’s experience and expertise have been invaluable, whether it’s offering strategic advice or providing operational support. Asta’s flexibility is a standout feature—they adapt to our needs rather than imposing rigid processes on us.
Chris: Their “can-do” attitude is another key differentiator. Asta’s willingness to explore solutions, rather than shutting down ideas, has given us the confidence to innovate. Whether it’s navigating regulatory challenges or expanding our product lines, their support has been a game-changer.
Q. Looking ahead, where do you see ARTes Specialty in five years?
Chris: We have ambitious plans. Our goal is to reach $150 million in gross written premium, expanding our underwriting team to support new products and territories. This will position us for meaningful external investment. However, this isn’t about scaling for the sake of it. We want to grow in a way that stays true to our values and ensures we remain a people-focused business. A big part of that is attracting like-minded strategic partners who share our vision for innovation and collaboration.
Richard: Ultimately, it’s about creating a legacy. ARTes was built on the idea of doing things differently, and we want to continue empowering others to bring their ideas to life within the insurance industry. By forging strong partnerships and maintaining our entrepreneurial mindset, we can ensure that ARTes evolves without losing the agility and culture that make us unique.
Q. On a lighter note, what’s been the most rewarding moment at ARTes so far?
Chris: For me, it was last summer when our families spent a weekend together flying kites and enjoying time away from work. It was a simple moment that reminded me why we do what we do. Building ARTes has been about more than just business success—it’s about creating something meaningful and sustainable, not only for ourselves but for the people we care about.
Richard: Hosting a charitable event with our key stakeholders was a standout moment for me. Being able to support a cause like Haven House while celebrating our journey was a moment of genuine pride. It also brought together our clients, partners, and team in a way that felt bigger than just business. Sharing that sense of achievement and purpose with the people who have supported us along the way was really special.
