Opinion
My other life: Emily Owen, footballer
When not working as e-trading underwriter at Beazley, Emily Owen is a semi-professional footWhen not working as e-trading underwriter at Beazley, Emily Owen plays football for Derby County Ladies football club.ball player.
GRP's Mike Bruce on client relationships in commercial broking
How do brokers know that they’re doing a good job for their client? Mike Bruce, group managing director, Global Risk Partners, explains in the commoditised personal lines market, where products are relatively homogenous, it’s often simply about…
Rising Star: Katie Williamson, Horwich Farrelly
While working at a personal injury law firm, Kate Williamson became interested in what cases were like from the insurer's side and is now on her way to qualifying as a solicitor at Horwich Farrelly.
Axa's Jon Walker on why it takes three to make the market work
In a hardening market, competition is tough to place property and casualty risks. Now more than ever, brokers need to work closely with insurers and customers on claims prevention and risk management, writes Jon Walker, executive MD of Commercial…
Brightside's Derek Henry on leadership in the insurance industry
Right now in the UK our politics is stuck fast in factionalism, ideology and conflicting interests, creating public disquiet. Derek Henry, managing director of broking at Brightside, argues business is up in arms too, pleading with the government for…
I work in insurance: Tom Bennett, cyber incident specialist, CFC
Working as cyber incident specialist at CFC Underwriting Tom Bennett ensures he stays abreast of recent developments in both hacker methodologies and cyber defence strategies
Trade voice: Biba's Steve White on less but more effective regulation
British Insurance Brokers' Association CEO Steve White ponders what proportionate regulation for insurance brokers should look like.
Aviva's Andrew Morrish on claims transparency and strengthening trust
Although some reports suggest the number of nuisance calls is falling, Aviva's consumer research found that 70% of Brits said they had received a nuisance call or text in the past seven days, with 36% of those who received a cold call or text saying they…
Telematics Watch: Addressing misconceptions
From scepticism about data to dissatisfaction about driver behaviour scores, Igo4 CEO Matt Munro addresses some of the common misconceptions about telematics, and suggests marketing and communications are key to avoiding complaints.
CFC's Dave Walsh on creating a culture for innovation
AM Best has confirmed it is launching a new innovation score for carriers, because innovation is seen to be "just as critical to insurers’ success as the strength of their balance sheet" and, according to Dave Walsh, CEO of CFC Underwriting, it seems…
My other life: George Briley, powerlifting champion
When George Briley isn’t working as business analyst at Axa Assistance, he competes in world powerlifting competitions.
The NED Blog: What keeps risk committees awake at night
One of the ways that non-executive directors ensure there is independent oversight is through the use of various board committees. Michael Gaughan explains how the Risk Committee oversees the capital risks and why it worries about technology, cyber…
RSA's Rob Gibbs on collaborative relationships between brokers and insurers
The insurance industry has a rich and storied history from the Great Fire of London, Tom's Coffee House and the earliest shipping risks all the way to today, with apps, online self-service and e-trade. And, for almost as long as insurers have being…
Blog: Breaking the dual pricing habit
Studies are now estimating it takes a smoker on average 30 attempts to quit smoking.
Editor's comment: Let the games begin
We love board games at our house. One huge cupboard is filled with them and we have four different versions of monopoly in the cupboard and two versions of Cluedo.
Trade Voice: Gordon Dalyell, Apil
Following insurer outcry as the Ogden discount rate was set at minus 0.25%, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers president Gordon Dalyell underlines that the industry is set to save hundreds of millions, while claimants still face an "unfair" rate.
Remedying Risk: Avoiding chinks in the armour of terrorism cover
Today’s terror attacks come in many forms – from homemade bombs to suicide bombers, knife and acid attacks to vehicles ramming pedestrians. Chris Parker, head of Beazley’s terrorism, political violence and kidnap & ransom underwriting team argues all are…
AIG's Anthony Baldwin on the evolution of the London market
2019 has been a year of changes in the London Market. The Decile 10 review at Lloyd’s in 2018 was the most high-profile example of insurance businesses reviewing their operations
Rising Star: Will Slade, Allianz Insurance
Since completing Allianz's 8-week commercial summer internship Will Slade has progressed to distribution manager for the insurer.
Remedying Risks: Managing cyber risks in marine
Seizure of oil tankers hits headlines but Royston Ford, head of marine and specialty at RSA Risk Consulting, believes the likelihood of cyber attacks occurring are low and can easily be guarded against.
Startupbootcamp's Sabine VanderLinden on inclusion in insurance
In June, I discussed the topic of ‘inclusion in insurance’ at The Women in Insurance Global Conference in New York, writes Startupbootcamp CEO Sabine VanderLinden. The topic is now taking centre stage in our industry as alongside their credit score,…
My other life: Mark Cookney, lead guitarist in a rock band
When Mark Cookney isn’t working as a construction underwriter at Thames Underwriting, he can be found playing rock covers in his band.
QBE's Cécile Fresneau on turning data into actionable information
While as an industry we hold large volumes of data and information, actually having valuable, reliable, timely data that is informative and can be turned into insight and action is a different thing altogether, particularly in an industry where many of…
Editor's comment: Is it safe to cross the personal injury line?
Historians argue over the origin of the word deadline but several online etymology dictionaries claim the term might have been influenced by use of the word in 1864 to mean the “do-not-cross line” in Civil War prisons in the US.