Front row seats

At a break-out session at the BIBA conference, or 'seminar session 3, stream 1', it was fascinating to see Peter Cullum, Andy Homer, Paul Meehan and Chris Blackham sitting in the front row of a session entitled 'What is your brokerage really worth?'. Although the session was clearly too late in the calendar for Messrs Blackham and Meehan, we somehow doubt Messrs Cullum and Homer were taking notes. When Paul Meehan asked the panel 'how can firms hold onto their talented wealthy bosses post acquisition', Homer patted Meehan on the shoulder in a knowing way. Perhaps somebody from Axa was in the audience writing the answer. We also followed up on Paul Dixon's question over whether it was best to sell up sooner rather than later. Despite, the implication in the question, he said he still has every intention of keeping his successful brokerage independent. Grant Ellis, one of the speakers at the session, was having a whale of a time at the conference promoting BNL's new brand, and claimed Norwich Union's John Kitson was wearing one of his pink pin badges. However, when Overheard went to investigate Kitson had discarded the promotional item, presumably in preparation for his meeting with Alex Alway and Chris Jelf, who was attending his first BIBA conference. Meanwhile, rumours that Ellis is set to paint his 'battle van' pink have yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, following a recent Professional Broking trip to Sydney, it was hard to shake off thoughts of insurance. Over the harbour, Allianz, Axa and Aon all compete in the Sydney night skyline with huge neon signs.