Opinion
Religion and politics
Q. Having refused holiday leave for an employee's so-called religious holiday I am concerned about being taken to a tribunal on the grounds of religious discrimination. Is there legislation that prevents religious discrimination?
Will Paddick's punch-up with the FSA help?
With great regularity brokers tell me they watch customers going out of their offices clutching docu...
Setting the agenda after the election
Assuming that, when we wake up on 6 May, we find ourselves with a Labour government for a further four-year term, what will this mean for the insurance industry?
Innovation is the key to niche broking
In those dim and distant pre-regulation days, being termed a 'niche broker' appeared to offer immuni...
Letter of the Month
I have been prompted to write in response to recent reports in the trade media of Towergate's intent...
Double registration
Q. We are looking to double in size by acquiring a local firm prior to the retirement of its principal. As both firms are regulated, can we go ahead with the deal and deregister the other firm once we have acquired it?
The hottest insurance gossip
Polly had an email from a disgruntled broker this month venting his spleen over the Financial Servic...
Long hours and poor managers, so why change?
With the insurance industry reporting a massive talent drought, Mary Chapman looks at the possible reasons and offers some solutions to help stop skilled people from leaving in their droves
Is the RAC purchase of Aviva the most expensive hobby ever?
I have a great admiration for Patrick Snowball. As with any person who succeeds in the military, he ...
I have a hunch
It may be wrong but I think many people in the industry are underestimating the strength and determi...
Sticking to the rules
Q. It is tempting to leave getting up to speed with compliance until we receive a visit from the regulator, if at all. How much trouble could we be in with the Financial Services Authority?
Gathering a head of steam
With pressure mounting for third-party liability insurance to be capped, primary insurers could find themselves exposed to massive claims
BIBA conference programme
The BIBA conference programme made an appearance in Private Eye recently - surely some mistake, they...
Disclosure is voluntary
The Financial Services Authority's Handbook of Rules and Guidance and the consultation and policy pa...
KUCI indeed
I agree entirely with the opening sentence of the article Storm Clouds Gather (PB, March) concerning...
Letter of the Month
To air your views and comments, please write to the editor, Richard Adams, at: Professional Broking,...
Expecting a raise
Q. Could you provide an update on the forthcoming minimum wage increases and also explain how proposed changes in maternity pay entitlement could affect my my small business
Networks creep back onto the radar
Some illuminating insight into the future of the broker market can be gleaned from comparing and con...
Paying the price for US domination
The major international brokers have dominated the commercial retail market in the UK. The premiums ...
Quality of service received from insurers
The quality of service received from insurers is an old issue but just as relevant today as it ever ...
The hottest insurance gossip
Being a lady, and addicted to shopping, Polly was very surprised when cruising on the eBay website t...
Time for brokers to make a stand
Brokers continue to face intense competition from direct writers and increasingly from high-street brands for private motor insurance but Chris Hill believes brokers have the weapons to fight back
Brokers to be handbagged by Avon ladies
2005 is shaping up to be a testing year for the leaner and largely consolidated broker market. Havin...
Lost in translation
Having read the Indian outsourcing article (PB, January 2005) with interest, I asked three of my sta...