Snippets from the industry
A Norwich Union staff member had a potentially career-shortening moment recently when he made a joke...
A Norwich Union staff member had a potentially career-shortening moment recently when he made a joke - at chief executive Patrick Snowball's expense. While at an in-house seminar in an atrium-domed conference hall, Snowball's speech and Powerpoint presentation were going well, until the sun broke through the clouds, flooded through the glass roof, rendering the presentation screen completely bleached out and unreadable. The show went on but afterwards, referring to the sun's sudden appearance, the cheeky chappy in question quipped: "I didn't see you bend down during the speech, Mr Snowball," inferring the sunshine came from his backside.
After a heavily pregnant pause, Snowball smiled and said: "That's funny."
Agricultural insurance specialist FarmWeb is due to celebrate its 1000th policy, the result of a collaboration with RBS, in a way that Overheard is concerned may be misconstrued. Rather than issue "boring pictures of men in suits", they have opted to photograph the men in suits with three magnums of champagne and some sheep on the Yorkshire moors. Make your own minds up.
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk or view our subscription options here: https://subscriptions.insuranceage.co.uk/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@insuranceage.co.uk
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@insuranceage.co.uk
More on Insurer
End of Year Review 2025: Axa Retail’s Matt Field
Matt Field, intermediary director at Axa Retail, hails the insurer’s domestic violence proposition; keeps a keen eye on its NPS; and predicts new entrants to shake up the retail personal lines market, with a particular focus on data and technology.
People Moves: 15 – 19 December 2025
Follow the latest personnel moves in insurance.
End of Year Review 2025: Bspoke’s Craig Morgan
Craig Morgan, managing director of Bspoke Sports & Leisure, echoes the concerns of others over the speed the market has softened; hails the work of Ajay Mistry in championing transparency and diversity; and shares a giant darts nickname.
FCA commits to expanded work in response to Which? super-complaint
The Financial Conduct Authority has promised to do more work on improving claims handling and consumer understanding of cover in light of Which? hitting the watchdog with a super-complaint about the ‘broken’ home and travel insurance markets.
End of Year Review 2025: Allianz Personal’s Graham Wright
Graham Wright, managing director – broker (interim) at Allianz Personal, acknowledges customers have benefited from the soft market, muses about whether consolidation has suppressed new entrants and keeps his cards close to his chest over the insurer’s plans for 2026.
Mindful placement in a soft market – why discipline still matters
Soft markets demand sharper thinking to avoid a false sense of security and complacency, argues John Dunn, managing director of distribution and market management at The Clear Group and Brokerbility.
Esure CEO Martin-Simon to depart as Ageas unveils new direct MD
Ageas UK has announced that the Esure CEO Peter Martin-Simon is to leave the company in April next year six months after taking up the role.
End of Year Review 2025: SiriusPoint International’s Rob Gibbs
Rob Gibbs, president and CEO of SiriusPoint International, highlights its success in rejecting the ‘spread betting’ approach to MGAs and instead partnering with ones that are really moving the dial; and suggests ‘Another soft market: Are we all delulu?’ as the theme for Biba 2026.