Opinion
CFC's Dave Walsh on driving innovation in the insurance industry
Innovation in insurance should focus on continually challenging our processes, our technology and our people to deliver what our clients want writes Dave Walsh, CEO of CFC Underwriting.
Rising Star: Aaron Slattery, Channel Islands Adjusters
After experiencing a fire loss in his family's construction business, Aaron Slattery saw the loss adjusting process and decided to try the industry, this put him on the path to becoming the world's youngest loss adjuster at 22 last year.
RSA's John Dawe on how schemes offer an attractive growth opportunity for brokers
A bespoke insurance product for a niche group of customers gives brokers a unique selling point and according to John Dawe, partnership director at RSA it enables them to target gaps in the market, diversify their business or create a new revenue stream.
Pen Underwriting’s Tom Downey on the market-hardening challenges and opportunities for MGAs
What a difference five years makes. Back in early 2015, we had a nation blissfully ignorant of the division, disruption and economic uncertainty that would follow the 2016 referendum result, writes Tom Downey, chief underwriting officer at Pen…
Editor's comment: The lesser-spotted hard market
The world has long held a fascination with mythical beasts and the younger generation is picking up the passion with Smallfoot, Abominable and Missing Link the latest in a long line of films to encourage children to believe in the magic of the Yeti or…
Ageas' Ant Middle on why good brokers are like chameleons
Tough trading environments are not unusual but the challenges they present have led me to reflect on what differentiates successful businesses from those that flounder. And a lot can be learned from insurance brokers, writes Ant Middle chief customer…
Trade Voice: Biba CEO Steve White on the ‘dark art’ of lobbying
The CEO of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association explains how the trade body picks the topics to lobby on and how the organisation seeks to get members’ views heard by decision makers to change the landscape.
Willis Towers Watson's George Beattie on social data and changing consumer relationships
Social media is becoming radically democratised - a macroeconomic trend that the business world is just waking up to, writes George Beattie, director of property and casualty at Willis Towers Watson.
Insurance Monitor: Insurance: facilitator or inhibitor?
In this month’s column, David Worsfold, a long-running commentator on the insurance market, talks about the fallout from the hardening market, the success of Flood Re and his issues with the Insurance Museum
My other life: Michael Whitfield, Lifetime caretaker
Outside of his role as managing director at CPP Group, Micheal Whitfield looks after an old farm in Staffordshire Moorlands. Along with his wife, he participates in a 'higher level' Countryside Stewardship Agreement, which involves adhering to a…
QBE's Cécile Fresneau on how insurers can help their customers become more resilient
If recent trends continue, 2020 is likely to be another unpredictable year for businesses, reinforcing the need to build business resilience and develop more dynamic and insightful risk management writes Cécile Fresneau, executive director for UK…
Rising Star: Ieva Andraityte, Arc Legal Assistance
Ieva Andraityte now manages some of the legal expenses of Arc Legal's largest corporate clients, having discovered a passion for statistics and data analysis at university.
MGA Mole: Why does banking look down on insurance?
Post has enlisted a managing general agent industry mole to lift the lid on what the sector is really like. Our anonymous commentator asks why the perception of working in the insurance industry is so bad from the outside.
Trade Voice: Ozlem Gurses of Bila on insurtechs and fair treatment of consumers
Ozlem Gurses, reader in insurance and commercial law at King’s College London and British Insurance Law Association committee member, asks if the oversight of insurtechs is keeping up with the potential damage to consumer protection that new technology…
BGL's Peter Thompson on digital innovation in insurance
It’s 2020 so paying lip service to protecting vulnerable customers just doesn’t cut it, in any industry says Peter Thompson, CEO for insurance, distribution and outsourcing at BGL Group.
CII's Sian Fisher is looking to the past to understand the future
When thinking about what the new decade might hold in store for the profession, it is vital to consider how insurance has evolved over the centuries and the role it played in shaping the world we live in, says Sian Fisher, CEO of the Chartered Insurance…
Zurich's David Nichols on building flood resilient communities
As flood events become more common, the industry and government need to do more to explain flood terminology and the flood resilience grant scheme needs a complete overhaul, according to David Nichols, chief claims officer at Zurich.
Editor's comment: 2020 - A year of celebration
The year 2020 has been a long time coming for some in our family. In 1995 my lovely, tiny and very northern grandmother turned 95 and since then all 12 of her great-grandchildren have been counting down to the day she turns 100 and gets her card from The…
Covea's Adrian Furness on pursuing a career in insurance
Historically people have 'fallen' into insurance rather than seeking it as a career. Adrian Furness, chief operating officer at Covéa Insurance, asks if this is changing.
Trade Voice: The ABI's James Dalton on why GI pricing will be a priority in 2020
James Dalton, director of general insurance policy at the Association of British Insurers, reveals what the trade body will be focusing on next year and why.
Rising Star: Shaun Towner, MPW Insurance Brokers
After completing two CII qualifications in quick succession, Shaun Towner has already risen through the ranks to the position of account executive
Hiscox's Bob Thaker on why strong company culture is key to success
What You Do Is Who You Are is the latest business blockbuster hitting bookshelves in time for Christmas. Perhaps the Chartered Insurance Institute should consider making a bulk order says Bob Thaker, Hiscox UK’s CEO, as a way to remind everyone that long…
MGA Mole: Why is client 'confidentiality' a dirty word?
Post has enlisted a managing general agent industry mole to lift the lid on what the sector is really like. In the first of this new series, our anonymous commentator asks why the industry isn't more careful with customers' information and warns that -…
Editor's comment: Driving the message home
At 11-years-old my son is getting to the stage where I’m an embarrassment to him. A kiss goodbye at the playground is not cool, in fact he’d prefer to be dropped off out of sight of the school, if possible, and he can’t wait until he is allowed to walk…