Penny Black’s Social Diary: Lloyd’s history; iPrism cupcakes
Penny Black is back, sharing the tittle-tattle she overheard at insurance industry events, reviewing the quality of buffets at conferences and giving a thumbs up – or down – to the sector’s social media posts.
Lloyd’s history lesson
I was quite pleased to see a riveting insurance history lesson on the Lloyd’s building from InsurTech4Good founder Andres Lehtmets on LinkedIn.
The Insurance Post editorial team has had its fair share of run-ins with Lloyd’s building security, and it was very interesting to get some background on what they’re protecting without having to do one of the famous tours.
Finding out about the historic Lutine Bell was the most fascinating tidbit. We might adopt a similar system of one ring for bad news and two for good when signalling big stories to the editorial team.
Lehmets included some scenic pictures that I’ll be sure to imitate next time I’m at the “Inside-Out Building”.
Penny’s Lunch Box
It’s always a true delight to get a special delivery to the Post office from one of our friends in the industry.
This time, the exciting cardboard box revealed a box of cupcakes from iPrism, complete with chocolate, red velvet and plain flavours.
I must say, biting into a red velvet cupcake was a sunny addition to an otherwise standard day at the office. That’s a not-so-subtle hint to any other industry mates looking to warm my fickle heart. Five stars.
Out of context
“I absolutely love the industry, even though people back away from me now at parties,”
Mark Eastham, CEO of Home Protect and Avantia Group, reveals he isn’t quite as popular since he turned his back on the Carphone Warehouse to take the helm of the non-standard home insurer and waved goodbye to taking home new gadgets to test.
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@postonline.co.uk or view our subscription options here: https://subscriptions.postonline.co.uk/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@postonline.co.uk to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@postonline.co.uk to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@postonline.co.uk
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@postonline.co.uk
More on People
LGBTQ+ family leave at insurers must be ‘normalised’
Sam White, founder and CEO of Stella Insurance, has said adoption and parental leave parity for the LGBTQ+ community in the sector must be normalised.
Penny Black’s Social Diary: CII’s Paddington pitstop; Arch’s bunnies
Penny Black has been out and about again, notebook in one hand and canapé in the other, keeping a keen eye on the insurance industry’s more whimsical moments.
Pride exposes prejudice LGBTQ+ individuals face in insurance
Editor’s View: LGBTQ+ network Link’s latest survey shows many insurance professionals still feel pressure to hide parts of themselves at work, which Emma Ann Hughes argues highlights the need for insurers to move beyond Pride branding and ‘pinkwashing’ to build actually inclusive cultures.
Throwback Thursday: CII CEO praised
Insurance Post’s Throwback Thursday steps back in time to June 1971 to remind you what was going on this week in insurance history when the Chartered Insurance Institute's CEO retired prompting reflections on his legacy.
HDI makes Hunt permanent following Ogden exit
HDI Global has named Simon Hunt as CEO of HDI Global UK & Ireland following the departure of Stephanie Ogden.
Adele Sumner to leave Intact after 27 years
Adele Sumner, Intact Insurance UK’s director of counter fraud and financial crime, is leaving the insurer at the end of June after 27 years.
Diary of an Insurer: Rokstone’s Darren Guymer
Darren Guymer was hired as head of surety at Rokstone in June 2025. His working week sees him take a hands-on approach to building relationships with both carriers and brokers while also coaching his son’s under eight’s football team.
Q&A: Will Pritchett, Accenture UK and Ireland
Will Pritchett, insurance lead for Accenture UK and Ireland, talks to Insurance Post about how insurers can cope with changing demands as AI transforms the industry, and how the company’s role in supporting providers is evolving.