Head of Compliance at UNIQA Biztosito Mate Lapis shares with CEE In-House Matters his career trajectory, his team’s role in the ethical deployment of AI solutions, the strategy for communicating complex regulatory issues to internal stakeholders, what emerging challenges and opportunities insurers in Hungary should keep an eye on, and more.
CEEIHM: Can you take us on a journey through your career, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that shaped your professional growth?
Lapis: I’ve been fortunate to work in roles where legal, compliance and business considerations meet. Each step taught me something essential: how to stay calm in complex regulatory situations, how to build trust across functions, and how to turn challenges—like major restructurings or new regulatory regimes – into opportunities for more transparent and efficient operations. What shaped me most was working with teams that value integrity and collaboration.
CEEIHM: Your role covers a wide range of regulations, from GDPR to Solvency II and the EU AI Act. How do you prioritize and manage compliance across such a complex regulatory landscape?
Lapis: I focus on clarity and structure. I map out regulatory obligations by risk and business impact, and I maintain a simple rule: we prioritize what protects customers, the company, and our people the most. From there, it’s about building scalable processes – so the team isn’t chasing issues, but anticipating them
CEEIHM: What strategies do you use to ensure your team remains proactive rather than reactive in identifying and addressing compliance risks?
Lapis: We cultivate curiosity, not fear. I encourage the team to challenge processes early, follow weak signals, and maintain close relationships with business stakeholders. Regular risk reviews, open discussions and continuous learning help us stay one step ahead instead of waiting for issues to surface.
At the same time, we strongly benefit from being part of the UNIQA Group Finance & Risk community — a genuinely collaborative and supportive network. The “one family” mindset across the Group gives us access to shared expertise, best practices and a culture where people actively help each other succeed. This spirit not only strengthens our local compliance work, but also empowers us to operate with greater confidence, consistency and foresight.
CEEIHM: How do you decide when to bring in external counsel versus handling matters in-house?
Lapis: If a matter requires deep local expertise, cross-border coordination or highly specialized knowledge, I involve external counsel. Otherwise, I prefer to keep work in-house – close to the business, where we understand the context best. It’s a balance between efficiency, quality and independence.
CEEIHM: When advising the Management Board, how do you communicate complex regulatory or compliance issues in a way that informs strategic decision-making?
Lapis: My approach is to simplify without oversimplifying. I present the essence: the risk, the options, and the business impact. Boards don’t need legal theory – they need clarity to make responsible decisions. I see my role as translating complexity into actionable insight.
CEEIHM: Your team plays a key role in the ethical deployment of AI solutions. How do you approach compliance in emerging tech areas where regulations are still evolving?
Lapis: We anchor everything in principles: fairness, transparency and accountability. When the rules aren’t fully defined yet, strong governance, documentation and stakeholder dialogue are essential. I prefer building frameworks that are flexible enough to adapt as regulation matures.
CEEIHM: What emerging regulatory challenges and opportunities do you foresee for insurers in Hungary or the region over the next five years?
Lapis: AI governance, data ethics, cloud compliance and product oversight will become increasingly central. Last but not least consumer protection remains an evergreen priority and a fundamental pillar of responsible business. But these aren’t just obligations – they’re opportunities to differentiate through trust. Insurers that can demonstrate responsible data use and transparent products will be at a competitive advantage, especially in a region that’s rapidly digitalizing.
CEEIHM: If you hadn’t pursued a career in the legal field, what alternative career path do you think you might have followed?
Lapis: Probably something in the creative or human-centerd space – psychology, coaching, or even gastronomy. I’ve always been drawn to fields where understanding people and solving problems matter just as much as technical expertise. When I look back, I realize that as a child I always dreamed of having a flower shop, simply because I’ve always loved plants.