Post magazine – 4 June

In this issue, a managerial merry-go-round within the UK broking sector is being powered by a combination of increased consolidation and insurer preference, according to market insiders, who have raised questions over organic growth knowhow.

The opening five months of the year have seen a continuation of high-profile appointments, with former Giles CEO Brendan McManus set to become the latest big name broking boss to take on a senior market role when he reunites with Chris Giles at start-up PIB next month.

In other news, insurer frustration around the differing VAT rates incurred by UK and Gibraltar-based firms has led to calls for an industry working party to lobby government to level the playing field; the Financial Conduct Authority has backed down from its intention to require general insurers to publish claims ratio information for add-on products and plans to publish a discussion paper addressing alternative options in "the coming weeks"; and a mismatch between the relatively low rates paid by SMEs and their complex insurance needs has been identified as a key driver for the high levels of claims dissatisfaction reported by smaller businesses.

In the C-Suite, LV Broker managing director Phil Bunker explains why it is not worth losing sleep worrying if you are doing enough digitally; while after high-profile reports of abuse in care homes, Howden Care chairman David Walters asks if they really have become uninsurable?

Five years since the merger of Bennett Dawes and Christmas Insurance Brokers, Bennett Christmas chief executive Mark Bennett met with Post deputy editor Mairi MacDonald to explain how he plans to grow the firm further in this week's interview.

In the first of two features, Thatcham provides an invaluable service for motor insurers. But who exactly is paying for it and, more to the point, who isn't? Chris Wheal investigates; and Tim Evershed looks at how increased incidence of head injuries in rugby players could lead to challenges for insurers and legal teams when it comes to claims.

And for those of you unable to make Post's Disaster Risk and Response Forum yesterday - catch up with all the action through the live blog.

To download the current issue as a pdf please click here

Enjoy the read!