Welcome to the world of insurance

Welcome to the world of insurance, Kirsty Anderson, one of two new recruit's to Hill House Hammond's communications team. Anderson had a rude awakening on a recent HHH visit to a farm, for which she sensibly wore combat trousers and trainers. The assorted agricultural insurers and brokers resolutely turned up in suits, however, leaving Anderson to ponder the sartorial choices of the market.

Kevin Sinclair, marketing and underwriting director of Axa, cut a similarly dashing figure when Overheard came to call this month, kitted out in a trendy t-shirt and hippy beads combo. Apparently, Sinclair had forgotten the meeting was taking place and would otherwise have worn the traditional suit and boots. Overheard welcomes the development, however, and hopes to see more insurers in comfortable clothes.

But no slacking for Estelle Kirby, communications manager of Primary Group, as she valiantly struggled to get to Birmingham with a box full of golfing umbrellas. Apparently, Primary Group needed to deliver the brollies to Primary Broking Services but saved the cost of a courier by asking Kirby to take them en route to a meeting there.

Finally, thanks very much to Bob Screen, managing director of new broker acquisition Vega, for brightening up Overheard's vocabulary. He said Vega is one of the brightest stars in the Northern Hemisphere but on further inspection Vega turns out to come from the Arabic al waqi, which literally means 'falling vulture'. Overheard hopes it is just a coincidence.