Andrew Tjaardstra
Andrew joined the Post team as Asia editor in January 2013.
Andrew Tjaardstra in an experienced financial journalist who has been editor of several magazines including covering UK insurance at Professional Broking (now part of Insurance Age) and Custody Risk where he covered the international banking sector. He now works at Incisive Media's Hong Kong office as Asia editor of Post and chairs the Claims Club Asia-Pacific.
Follow him on Twitter: @atjaardstra
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Articles by Andrew Tjaardstra
Health and Safety - Rules of the house
I will be employing two home-based brokers. Are there any rules regarding their health and safety welfare that I need to consider?
Employment - Protecting company interests
An employee is leaving and may take confidential information. What notice period must they serve and what can I do to protect us?
Compliance - How much supervision?
All of my staff are experienced and competent people, but I have been told to monitor them. In some cases they know more than I do in their respective areas, so how should I do this?
Changing holidays
Q. I hear that holiday entitlement has just been increased and that further changes have been proposed. Is this correct, and if so, what are these changes?
Seeking fair counsel
Q. The Financial Services Authority will provide advice to small firms in order to meet new treating customers fairly requirements. Should I wait for their advice?
Explaining endorsement
Q. My compliance consultants tell me I should explain endorsements to clients. Surely it is up to them to read policies?
Interim report confusion
Q. The FSA are looking at ICOB rules for brokers again. Will all the hoops we had to jump through be taken away?
A different view
Despite the major impact of management consultants on large corporate businesses, smaller businesses remain reluctant to employ them. However, as the breed evolves, and with greater pressures on brokers than ever, Marcus Alcock investigates whether the…
Sentiment Survey iPod winner
Jon Carter, a partner at Wraysbury Commercial Insurance Services, is the winner of our Sentiment Sur...
Not up to scratch
Q. I have taken on a number of sales people recently. Upon completion of training, two of them are not up to the company's standards, or those required by the FSA. What can I do about this?
Disclosure of income
Q. I understand that the FSA will require feedback on our income every year - is this true?
Sentiment surveys
The second quarterly Professional Broking sentiment survey has hinted that consolidation may occur i...
The firing line
Q. I am proposing to reduce a large number of employees I have at my firm because of a planned change in the company's structure. Are there any guidelines that I will have to follow and are there any penalties for failing to follow these guidelines…
Local producers
Q. We have in the past recruited account executives based on who is doing well in our local market. My compliance officer now tells me that we are going to have to be much more selective. What does this mean in practical terms?
Inaugural sentiment survey results
Norwich Union topped a recent poll - conducted by Professional Broking - for service to brokers in t...
Competence gained
Q. Having applied for authorisation and received my minded-to-authorise letter, with only five months left until regulation, I am nervous about the need to prove that all in my firm are competent
Abuse of privilege
Q. I am concerned that, on occasions, staff are using the internet and e-mail for personal use and that sensitive material may be circulated. Is it wise to include rules regarding this in company policy?
Exit with care
Q. Can an exit interview, when staff leave, help tackle the problem of high staff turnover?