Opinion
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…
Trade Voice: Airmic's Julia Graham on being prepared
Preparation is key in the current harsh market says Julia Graham, Airmic’s deputy CEO and technical director, as she explains how timely planning, skill, good communication and transparency can demonstrate the real value of insurance.
Allianz's Graham Gibson on embracing sustainability
As awareness of the damage we’re doing to our planet grows, sustainability is firmly on the corporate agenda, writes Graham Gibson, chief claims officer at Allianz Insurance. Finding ways to reduce our environmental footprint and safeguard the future for…
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