Powerlist
The POST Power List 2014
Over the past 12 months the UK insurance industry has faced thematic reviews by the dozen, missed opportunities in the motor sector when the Competition
and Markets Authority dropped the ball with its two-year report and faced a work-in-progress for the flood problems. Next year it will see a general election that will shape the regulatory landscape for the next five years, the last year of Solvency II preparation and the start of road trials for autonomous cars. So which major players made an impact in 2014 and who will shape the industry next year? Post put its thinking cap on – with a bottle or two of wine – and decided who the movers and shakers will be in 2015.
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Julia Graham
President, Federation of European Risk Managers Association, and insurance director, DLA Piper
A year into her presidency, Graham has made her mark within the European association and looks set to continue outside the association for her second year. A chair of the British Insurance Awards, she also wields power in other areas.
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John Hurrell
CEO, Airmic
As gatekeeper to the world of UK risk management Hurrell holds a lot of power in his hands and will always have insurers knocking on his door.
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Paul Leinster
CEO, Environment Agency
As the largest single flood risk management contract ever awarded by the Environment Agency – the £300m Thames Estuary Asset Management Programme – gets the go ahead, Flood Re is on everyone’s minds, Leinster will have some influence this year.
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Raj Singh
CEO of Sooqini and inaugural chairperson, UK Share Co
With the sharing society high on the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s 2015 manifesto and insurers meeting government to discuss solutions for this market, Singh is likely to have an interesting six months in office.
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Christopher Graham
Information Commissioner, Information Commissioner Office
We’ve seen data and big data but now there is teradata, and Graham is going to be a man in demand. Appointed by HM The Queen with an independent status, reporting directly to Parliament, with a range of responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Data Protection Act 1998 and related laws, how can he not have an impact on insurance?
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Robert Fielding
Group CEO, Quindell
Love it or hate it, Quindell hogged a lot of the headlines this year, not least when former chairman Rob Terry stepped down from the company with immediate effect and a process began to find a new chairman. Currie is holding the fort now and, as a firm that many insurers work with, there are bound to be more headlines in the new year.
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Ian Muress
CEO, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia- Pacific, Crawford & Company
Making waves in the loss adjusting world, Muress finished 2014 by buying GAB Robins – invoking the interest of the Competition and Markets Authority – and this is sure to cause some headlines in 2015.
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Glen Renwick
President and CEO, Progressive
A household name in the US, Progressive was the first to market with telematics and has made a big splash with its extremely popular advertising campaign with cashier Flo. UK insurers would be wise to keep an eye on what Renwick is up to this year.
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Bill Dewsall
CEO, Gable
Gable Holdings reported a 43% increase in gross written premiums for the six months ended 30 June 2014 to £39m (H1 2013: £27.3m) and seems to be a massive success story but can Dewsall make the Lichtenstein-based insurer a mainstream player?
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Mike Brockman
Founder and group CEO, Insure the Box
Where there is telematics there is Brockman. Telematics is the immediate future and whether leading the charge or making a quiet exit, Brockman is bound to be in the news.
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Martin Andrews
Director general, The Credit Hire Organisation
The Credit Hire Organisation took on the insurers this year over the Competition and Markets Authority report and won. 2015 is likely to remain a busy year and Andrews will no doubt be ready for his next battle.
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Patrick Snowball
MD and group CEO, Suncorp
Rumours abound that industry stalwart Patrick Snowball is due to return to these sunny shores. His name has long been associated with acquisitions, whether it was CGU’s takeover of ITT London and Edinburgh, or its diversification with the move for RAC. He helped establish and develop Towergate, before diversifying his portfolio and moving to Australia to become CEO of Suncorp – so what better time than now for him to return and possibly rekindle his interest in DLG?
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Huw Evans
Director of policy and deputy director general, ABI
After L&G departed the trade body, taking it s signi ficant contribution with it , Evans is set to replace Otto Thoresen at the top. However, he might have a tough year ahead depending on how Flood Repans out.
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Nicolas Aubert
CEO designate, Willis UK & Ireland
Willis has dipped into the insurer market for its new UK boss and details of its merger with Miller will continue to be released, so Aubert will be busy.
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Grahame Chilton
Founder, Capsicum Re
Everyone’s favourite reinsurance guru Chilton returned to the market in 2013 with backing from Arthur J Gallagher and has started well – but what will 2015 bring for ‘Chily’?
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Catherine Dixon
Incoming CEO, Law Society
Fresh from the NHS Litigation Authority, will incoming Law Society CEO Catherine Dixon be able to bring together claimants and defendants after her predecessor Des Hudson’s divisive reign in the market?