powerlist2016

Post Powerlist 2016

In a year where regulation, natural disasters, consolidation and cyber/digital again look set to make waves, and when the country could learn if it’s in or out of the European Union Post had a mind mapping session to see who are likely to be the biggest influencers or dare we say disrupters in the insurance market in 2016. With staff reshuffles a plenty in 2015 over 50% are new entries which prove there could be some new names among the headlines over the next 12 months.

  • 50

    Ken Fowlie

    MD, UK & Europe, Slater and Gordon

    Having acquired the professional services arm of Quindell in March 2015, the Australian law firm has faced a run of negative headlines from overpaying for the business to accounting errors, culminating in its share price dropping below its 2007 float value of A$1 on news that the UK government plans to raise the small claims track limit. However, the team is keen for Slater and Gordon to play a greater role in shaping the success of the UK insurance industry and its sure to make some waves in 2016.

  • 49

    Mark Cliff

    Executive chairman, Brightside Group

    Less than a year in post Cliff has already had his work cut out for him. Internal restructuring has resulted in several high profile departures but that could mean equally high profile appointment in the future, with David Sweeney from Sterling a possible sign of things to come. While rumours of involvement in acquisitions continue to do the rounds, even if the Autonet trail has gone cold, for now.

  • 48

    Derek Coles

    CEO, Ryan Direct Group

    Ryan Direct Group has come of age at 25 and Coles has played a key role here, helping the company grow from 45 people to 475 under his stewardship.

  • 47

    Bruce Hepburn

    CEO, Mactavish

    In August 2016, the Insurance Act will come into force, bringing with it new requirements for both insurers and brokers. Hepburn, is the man in the know here and is likely to be a busy individual over summer and beyond given the impact his organisation has had, most recently with the Enterprise Bill.

  • 46

    Gary Hoffman

    CEO, Hastings Insurance Group

    After seeing gross written premium up 24% in the first half of the year, Hoffman, CEO, took Hastings to a £180m initial public offering, while ruling out international forays. 2015 is set to be an another steady year for the firm.

  • 45

    Peter Shaw

    CEO, Thatcham Research Group

    Given his employer’s involvement in the new Automated Driving Insurer Group, and the interest in driverless cars and vehicle safety full stop, Shaw is likely to see his profile at an all-time high in 2016

  • 44

    Sir James Bevan

    CEO, Environment Agency

    While all around him people are falling on their sword after the disaster that was the Environment Agency reaction the December Floods, Bevan, is still standing and likely to face some testing questions once the initial clear up is out of the way.

  • 43

    Ian Muress

    International CEO, Crawford & Company

    After getting the green light early in 2015 for the GAB Robins merger, Crawford spent the year bedding in. Muress took on the expanded role of international CEO and as the sector hits the headlines with the December floods and need to react to the Financial Conduct Authorities SME claims criticism we are sure to hear more from Crawford.

  • 42

    Huw Evans

    Director general, Association of British Insurers

    Evans was not the most popular insurance figure last year in Post Insurer State of the Nation research, and some in the market are asking more questions about what it pays the body to do. With the recent floods, the ABI had a chance to show its value, and seems to have at least allayed some naysayers. For now.

  • 41

    Paul Philip

    CEO, Solicitors Regulation Authority

    Last year ended with the news insurers were meeting with the Solicitors Regulation Authority to discuss unscrupulous solicitors and how to tackle the issue; and the Fraud taskforce called for the regulator to get tougher on claims management fees and enforce the referral fees ban, so Philip might be spending more and more time with the industry in 2016.

  • 40

    James Reader

    CEO, Covéa Insurance

    Covea spent last year integrating Sterling into the business but with that completed, Reader will be focusing on the brands plans to move away from the broker-only distribution model and enter direct motor.

  • 39

    Sian Fisher

    CEO, Chartered Insurance Institute

    Confirmed in this new role in January, Fisher seems to have the full backing of the insurance market and was a popular choice for the job. Her background with broking, managing general agent and trade body experience stands her in good stead and she has the potential to wield power here but time will tell if she manages it.

  • 38

    Steve White

    CEO, British Insurance Brokers’ Association

    As before White, has the respect of the market and it would appear the ear of some important politicians. Another year, another manifesto, so let’s see how the trade body delivers?

  • 37

    Matthew Donaldson

    Matthew Donaldson, CEO, BGL Group

    Matthew Donaldson, CEO at BGL, heralded a record year last year and recorded total revenue of £507m. The multi-faceted insurance group withdrew from the Dutch aggregation market, which suggests they are not afraid to admit mistakes, while joining Aviva in the digital investment stakes in Hoxton, London. Will the potential IPO announced in January prove a distraction or boon to the business?

  • 36

    Carl Shuker

    CEO, A Plan

    High street broker A-Plan delivered a 9% increase in earnings in 2015 and Shuker confirmed that strong investment from Hg Capital would lead to expansion of its branch network and customer acquisition initiatives.

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