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.
High-speed chase
When I think of children’s toys, one of the last things that comes to my mind is car insurance but the RAC’s partnership with Scalextric has challenged my limited views.
The Micro Scalextric Roadside Recovery Set is a slot car racing play experience modelled after rescue missions, as the recovery vehicle races to catch up with the car it’s come to save.
In true commitment to detail, the RAC racer slot car is in the same orange as its patrol vans, and children can experiment with different track layouts to create their own rescue scenarios.
With some strategic gifting, insurance professionals could use this to combat the ever-present narrative that no young children dream of an insurance-related career. Tell that to the 4-year-olds zipping around with their controllers.
Penny’s Lunch Box
Congratulations to S&P. The ratings agency’s five-spice and ginger chilli glazed chicken served at their European Insurance Conference 2025 was one of the best buffet lunches I’ve even had at an insurance industry event.
Just a shame there weren’t enough seats or tables available to sit down and fully enjoy eating it. Rice and standing up eating is not a good look, hence four stars.
Out of context
“Insurance would be much easier if it was all multi-choice, wouldn’t it?”
Mark Nicolson, director of S&P Global Ratings, kicks off the agency’s conference with a quiz requiring the audience to scan a QR code.
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