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Penny Black’s Social Diary: Big Issue tabards; Biba gets fruity

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.

Canine companions

Westminister vendor Adrian holding his dog Rolo and a copy of Big Issue
Westminister vendor Adrian with his dog Rolo (Photo: Exposure Photo Agency)

This may come as a surprise to some of you readers, but I am a dog person through and through. As a lady of nearly 186 years old, you may have assumed cats were my preferred companions, but you would be sorely mistaken.

As a result, I was absolutely chuffed to see Big Issue’s partnership with Animal Friends to put the pets who stand on pitches alongside Big Issue vendors in their own version of the red Big Issue tabard in the run-up to Christmas 2025.

I know putting pets in outfits can be quite a polarising issue, but I would love nothing more than to constantly match my furry friends.

Advance warning to deputy editor Scott McGee: Insurance Post’s resident canine companion Ozzy McGee may have his very own dog-adapted Post bucket hat sooner rather than later.


Penny’s Lunch Box

A tray of assorted fruit beside a tray of cupcakes

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association offered Insurance Post and sister publication Insurance Age cakes and fruit for a delightful tea while talking through the content on its new Manifesto. Five stars.

Out of context

“I can still sleep like a teenager.”

Louisa Best, senior PR manager at Davies, bonds with Post senior reporter Damisola Sulaiman over a shared love of napping.

 

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