Skip to main content

Penny Black’s Social Diary: Lloyd’s volunteering; Howden’s bao bun

Social Diary

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.

Football meets charity

As someone who prides themselves on knowing absolutely everything about this industry, I was quite disappointed in myself when I read Talbot Underwriting’s head of specialty Ben Shannon’s LinkedIn post that introduced me to Lloyd’s Football Club for the first time.

My shame was even worse once he mentioned that they’d been around since 2007.

Despite this oversight on my part, I do think this was the perfect introduction. The group was volunteering with Texas Children’s Hospital and did everything from donating blood to making support kits and meeting patients.

Shannon described it as the day he is most proud of in nearly 20 years with the club, and he definitely should be.

Ben Shannon linkedin

 

Lloyd’s football club event
Photo: Ben Shannon

Penny’s Lunch Box

Penny Black Howden bao bun

One may think all it takes to write the lunch box section of this column is having taste buds and a camera, but little do they know that it occasionally also takes very quick instincts.

Securing the very last bao bun at Howden’s Summer Media drinks was truly an extreme sport. I would like you all to picture my 185-year-old self all but flying to the table to secure it, and it was worth the fight.

Four stars for Howden as it was very delicious, but one star is deducted as I’m devastated that I couldn’t grab seconds.

Out of context

“I just changed my diet and did a bit more exercise and I lost kilograms. My wife is helping and we’ll have a soup or a salad, but she can’t not eat chocolate every night.”

Step aside Rosemary Conley and the makers of Ozempic – Simon Hayes, managing director of NextGen Communications, shares his weight loss plan.

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@postonline.co.uk or view our subscription options here: https://subscriptions.postonline.co.uk/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@postonline.co.uk to find out more.

Is it Time:To get some new business cards for Biba 2026?

Content director’s view: With vinyl now as popular as it was in the 80s and Pokémon never being more collectible, could physical business cards make a comeback? Jonathan Swift points to recent evidence to indicate this may be the case, but is still on the fence whether to get some printed for Biba 2026.

Q&A: Greg Cole, And-E

Greg Cole, UK claims director at Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Europe, lifts the lid on the claims expansion that will see the business increase its UK claims headcount by 30% by the end of 2026.

60 Seconds With... Euna’s Peter Newson

Former DJ Peter Newson, head of property and casualty, professional indemnity and recruitment underwriting and director at Euna, brings rhythm to the insurance market but don't ask him to sing a tune.

Most read articles loading...

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have an Insurance Post account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here