Penny Black’s Social Diary: Markerstudy’s premiere; iCan’s lassi

Silver screen solidarity

Markerstudy Distribution CEO Emma Rawlinson’s LinkedIn post highlighted a rather touching convergence of insurance and cinema.

Kevin Spencer, CEO of Markerstudy Group, hosted more than 100 guests at a Soho screening of Desperate Journey, a true story thriller chronicling Freddie Knoller’s harrowing escape from Nazi-occupied Europe.

The film follows young Freddie from Vienna to Paris and eventually Auschwitz, showing his survival of the infamous death march.

Knoller later settled in England, where he lived to the impressive age of 100 before passing away in 2022.

Spencer, apparently quite the cinephile, invested a decade of time and considerable resources to bring this Holocaust survivor’s remarkable journey to the silver screen.

The premiere attracted an impressive roster of insurance executives including Ardonagh CEO David Ross and Markerstudy Group chairman Benny Higgins, proving once again our industry’s networking extends well beyond the confines of EC3.

Donna Scully, director at Carpenters Group, lamented missing the event but shared a personal connection: “Was lucky enough to meet Freddie years ago and what a man he was.”

Perhaps there’s hope for more industry-backed cinema in our future? I’m thinking Night at the Lloyd’s Building has a certain ring to it.

Penny’s Lunch Box

The Spirit of Eid event, hosted by the Insurance Cultural Awareness Network – or iCan for short – Miller and Liberty Special Markets, showed the power of thoughtful catering with these mango lassi shots.

The recipe was lifted directly from a Ramadan Cookbook distributed to attendees, an impressive touch that allowed guests to recreate the refreshing yogurt-based treat at home.

I must admit I enjoyed several shots of the traditional South Asian beverage alongside equally considerate appetisers, chocolate-covered dates and energy balls.

I didn’t make it to the main course because even a social butterfly like me ducks out of networking events early on occasion, but I’m certain the selection was just as impressive. Five stars.