My Story
From Regulator to Independent Advisor
I started my career at the Estonian Ministry of Finance, working on insurance policy. I come from e-Estonia roots: a small country that built its entire public infrastructure on digital-first principles. In a place like that, you see the full picture. You understand how regulation connects to real people, real businesses, real outcomes. That mindset shaped how I think about policy to this day.
In 2018, I moved to Frankfurt to join EIOPA, the EU's insurance and pensions authority. For over six years, I led the InsurTech Task Force and shaped European policy on open insurance, AI governance and new business models. I co-led the Open Insurance working group at the IAIS. I built the EU Supervisory Digital Finance Academy, which trained over 1,500 financial supervisors across Europe. If I look back on my time as an EU regulator, that is probably the achievement I am most proud of.
I loved the work. Insurance touches everyone, even those without a policy. The consumer protection angle, the innovation agenda, the scale of impact across Europe. These are not just technological questions. Innovation in financial services can help close the insurance protection gap and bring more people into quality financial services. I believe regulators should focus more on innovation because only that helps us overcome these structural challenges.
But my family was in Tallinn. Two small children. I was travelling back and forth every week. When my older child started school and my younger one started kindergarten, I had to make a choice. I moved back to Estonia.
It was hard. I did not have a detailed plan. I just knew that if I did not try to work independently now, I never would. And I knew I wanted to keep making an impact on the topics I care about most: financial innovation, regulation and the space between them.
What I'm Building
It has been a journey to find the exact shape of what I do as an independent advisor. One of the first questions I had to answer was: do I work with the private sector or the public sector? Fintechs and insurers who need regulatory guidance, or supervisory authorities who need innovation expertise?
The answer turned out to be both. And that is the point. My role is to translate regulatory logic into business language and the real potential of innovation into policymaker language. In both directions. I have sat on the regulatory side and helped write the frameworks. That means I understand not just what the rules say, but the thinking behind them and where they are heading. That dual fluency is what makes the bridge between both worlds possible.
Today I advise fintechs, financial institutions and regulators on regulatory strategy, policy design and supervisory innovation. I conduct research at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance. I write a weekly newsletter read by over 4,600 professionals. I speak at conferences and teach at summer schools across Europe and beyond. I sit on the supervisory board of Lightspark Payments Europe AS, bringing a regulatory perspective to a company building at the frontier of payments.
When a project requires it, I bring in some of the best specialist partners I know, people who share my values: enterprise architects, CTOs and other domain experts. I lead the engagement, they bring the technical depth. This way every client gets a tailored team, not a one-size-fits-all answer.
The shape of this practice is still evolving. But the mission has been clear from the beginning.
What people say
Trusted by Leaders Across the Industry
“Digitalisation and innovation are transforming the insurance value chain. Andres is one of the few European leaders that master both. If you want to navigate the challenges ahead, a good guide is indispensible. Calling on Andres is one of the best insurance policies you can subscribe to safely get through the transition.”
“I went on a really great journey with Andres building our insurtech and innovation toolbox from scratch. He came with openness and curiosity, and built on these foundations a unique profile, global but rooted in Europe. Thinking ahead 5 to 10 years is a particular skill -- also cutting through hype to what is or could be driving change. Highly recommended!”
“I highly recommend Andres Lehtmets for anyone needing open insurance advice. As an ex-regulator and industry expert he brings a multi-faceted approach which is extremely interesting and useful.”
“The financial services of the future will be human-centric, open, cross-border and personalized. Getting there requires regulators and innovators to work together, not against each other. I bridge that gap.”
Andres Lehtmets
Career Path
Professional Journey
Common Questions
About Andres
Who is Andres Lehtmets?
Andres Lehtmets is an independent advisor and researcher with 15+ years at the intersection of financial innovation and EU regulation. He is the founder of Andres Lehtmets Advisory, a Research Analyst at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF), and a Supervisory Board Member at Lightspark Payments Europe AS. Previously, he spent over six years as Senior InsurTech Expert at EIOPA, where he led the InsurTech Task Force and shaped European policy on open insurance, AI governance and digital finance.
What is Andres Lehtmets's professional background?
Andres started at the Estonian Ministry of Finance in insurance policy, then joined EIOPA in Frankfurt as Senior InsurTech Expert. At EIOPA, he led the InsurTech Task Force, co-led the IAIS Open Insurance working group, and built the EU Supervisory Digital Finance Academy (EU-SDFA), training over 1,500 financial supervisors across Europe. He holds a Master's in Public Law (cum laude) and a Master's in Law and Information Society.
What is the Andres Lehtmets Advisory newsletter?
The Andres Lehtmets Advisory newsletter is a weekly publication on financial innovation and regulation, reaching 4,600+ professionals in insurance, banking, fintech and regulatory fields. It covers EU digital finance regulation, supervisory technology, open finance and AI in financial services. Subscribe free.
Published Work