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Penny Black’s Social Diary: Big Issue tabards; Biba gets fruity
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.
Penny Black’s Social Diary: Benefact Group’s heroes; Polaris’s sliders
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.
Big Interview: Colin Johnson, Hadron International
As a former footballer turned fronting-carrier CEO, Hadron’s Colin Johnson knows the best managers succeed by creating a top team, who can achieve goals, and know the way the opposition plays.
Why Hadron CEO Johnson won’t repeat previous fronter playbooks
Colin Johnson, CEO of Hadron International, has explained why the playbook he is using at his new fronting insurer is not simply a repeat of those used by rivals.
Admiral CFO to retire
Admiral’s CFO Geraint Jones is set to retire and be replaced with UK insurance CFO Rachel Lewis.
And-E claims expansion prompts Newcastle hiring spree
Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Europe plans to increase its UK claims headcount by 30% by the end of 2026, as part of the expansion of its Newcastle-based Claims Centre of Excellence.
Diary of an Insurer: Prestige’s Tim Baxter
Tim Baxter, business development and relationship director at Prestige Underwriting, navigates a week of strategy sessions in Belfast, broker visits in Manchester and London, and home-office conference calls – all in the name of expanding the MGA’s non…
Penny Black’s Social Diary: Aviva’s time capsule; Zurich’s beef
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 survey shows culture continuing to improve
Lloyd’s 2025 culture survey found the market has outperformed financial services industry standards, with 26 out of 28 comparable questions scoring above the financial services benchmark.
HDI CEO Ogden exits after six years
Stephanie Ogden, CEO of HDI Global UK and Ireland, will leave the business on 31 January to become CEO of Munich Re Specialty - Global Markets.
Axa UK Retail CEO departs for Axa's health business
Alain Zweibrucker, former CEO of Axa UK, has commenced his role as CEO of Axa's health business after being appointed in November.
Axa’s David Pearce rejoins Aviva
David Pearce, director of retail direct at Axa UK, has rejoined Aviva after four years.
60 Seconds With... Charles Taylor’s James Cranmer
James Cranmer, training programme manager at Charles Taylor Assistance, blends a love of learning, tech and tidy spaces.
Insurance Museum awarded National Lottery Heritage Fund grant
The Insurance Museum has been awarded a £249,700 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Allianz claims director resurfaces at Weightmans
Allianz Personal’s former claims director Caroline Johnson has joined Weightmans as its claims director and executive board member.
Ex-Aviva exec Riley awarded CBE for leadership and inclusion
Cathryn Riley has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to business leadership and inclusion in the 2026 New Years Honours List.
Axa UK’s Dougie Barnett hangs up his boots
Dougie Barnett is retiring after more than 40 years in the general insurance sector, most recently leading Axa UK’s customer risk management function.
Penny Black’s Social Diary: RAC’s car set; S&P’s chicken
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.
Diary of an Insurer: Gallagher’s Cheryl Phillips
Cheryl Phillips, regional managing director of the South West for Gallagher, criss-crosses the region, integrates new teams, catches ups with clients, spots talent and enjoys a well-earned office Christmas party.
Underwriting takes its toll so mental health support is vital
Tim Groves, professional communities and engagement manager at the Chartered Insurance Institute, outlines the lessons learned from a recent wellbeing programme run by the trade body’s Underwriting Community.
60 Seconds With... Sarah Vaughan, Angelica Solutions
Whether it’s crunching numbers, finishing every project she starts, or dancing to Pulp, Sarah Vaughan, founder and director of Angelica Solutions, finds balance between work, play and perseverance.