Power List - Power fluctuations

In March this year, Post Magazine published its second annual Power List of those people considered by a panel of market experts and the PM editorial team to be the most influential in the UK general insurance market. It was not based on any science, such as how many staff they had working under them, but rather on the respect they commanded from their peers.

Six months on, it is worth revisiting the list - and it is evident that half a year is a long time in general insurance. In the top 10, there have been no notable falls from grace, but several movements worth mentioning.

There have been rumblings - denied - that Nick Prettejohn is to leave Lloyd's and Frits Bolkestein is due to retire later in the year from the European Commission, but by and large the other members of the list are still actively influencing the market - although some are now operating in different capacities to when the list was compiled. Paul Baxter has moved from Tesco Personal Finance, which was half-owned by Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance, to take on the role of motor manager at RBSI subsidiary Direct Line; and Geoff Riddell has been promoted to a take on a wider, less UK-centric, role within Zurich as head of its global corporate customer business.

Further down the list, though, there are some people who have left the market and are unlikely to hold as much sway in the foreseeable future.

John Parker stepped down from the Association of British Insurers in July to take up a contract with the Environment Agency, and Wellington chairman Julian Avery has announced he plans to retire from the company at the end of the year.

Another name to disappear off the insurance radar-screen is Gareth Williams, who has ended his secondment at the Department of Work and Pensions, where he acted as head of the employers' liability insurance review team.

Other than that, the rest of the cast in the Power List remain. With six months to go until PM unveils its third annual list, there may well be further movement. If there are people you believe should have been included in 2004 and would like them to be considered for the 2005 list contact PM and put their case forward: postmag@incisivemedia.com.