powerlist2016 page3
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.
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Mark Hodges
Managing director, British Gas
Hodges is well known to the market for his roles at Aviva (Norwich Union) and was last seen on the Power list in 2010. He is back on the list again given his position at British Gas – which not only owns a Top 20 UK insurance firm (according to AM Best) - but also could be a significant market disrupter in the connected home space with innovations such as heating controller Hive.
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Andrew Kendrick
Senior vice-president of Chubb Group and regional president, European Group
After being listed as ‘bubbling under’ in the last Powerlist, along with counterpart Jalil Rehman, CEO, Chubb Europe, the biggest deal of 2015 was Ace’s surprise swoop for Chubb in a $29.5bn (£20.5bn) buy out. Kendrick was appointed to the roles for senior vice-president of group and president for Europe and as the company expects to achieve annual expense savings of approximately $650m before tax by 2018 all eyes will be on him in Europe.
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Vibhu Sharma
UK CEO, Zurich general insurance
Last year saw ‘the perfect storm’ for Zurich with tough market conditions and greater than normal large losses meaning a plummeting business operating profit in the third quarter. Its bid for RSA had to be withdrawn and the insurer is very much in transition. Although only a year into his role as UK CEO, Sharma needs to steady a ship that had been a model of stability for years.
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Andrew McMellin
UK CEO, XL Catlin
Following XL’s £2.5bn takeover of Catlin, McMellin was appointed UK CEO. McMellin joined Catlin in 1999 and previously served as CEO of Catlin US and as a member of the group executive committee. Something of an unknown quantity he will have a busy 2016 integrating the two firms, while making sure they don’t take their eye of the day-to-day business.
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Patrick McLoughlin
Secretary of State for Transport
Having held the role since 2012 and making the cut after the 2015 re-election of the Conservative Party as a single party government, McLoughlin will be one to watch this year after the government declared its intent to bring motor premiums down.
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Brendan McCafferty
CEO, Flood Re
2016 sees ‘D-day’ for Flood Re so McCafferty is going to have a busy year as the success of otherwise of the scheme will reflect on the whole industry.
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Frank Buchsteiner
Managing director, Munich Re UK
As the UK boss of the world’s biggest reinsurer Buchsteiner holds a lot of power.
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Damijan Vnuk
Farm worker
Although the original case Damijan Vnuk v Zavarovalnica Trigalev and the accident that precipitated it are a few years old, this is the year in which the case is expected to have far-reaching consequences for motor insurers.
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Matthew Hogg
Chair, Cyber Risk and Insurance Forum
There is no doubt 2016 will be the year of cyber and while most of the market is still finding its feet here others are leasing. As chair of the Cyber Risk and Insurance Forum, Hogg, could have a big influence this year.
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Jon Dye
Allianz Insurance UK
Under pressure to make sure the insurer’s brand sponsorship deals do not go to waste, Dye is doing a good job of maintaining profitability while increasing the visibility and trust in the Allianz name.