PB Week: A guest blog from Towergate's head of marketing

They come in all shapes sizes and abilities, yet many appear to think they all have one thing in common: they are on their way out.

For some this may be wishful thinking, but as with any story, where there's a scent of blood, it's more fun talking about it than focusing on the day job in tough times. "An intermediary with a binder raking in high commissions" is a definition you'll hear regularly, yet the reality is rather different. A good underwriting agency needs to offer a distinctive product and service proposition for brokers, attractive commissions and a significant investment in the expertise, training and infrastructure to deliver the goods, and, yes, insurers need to make money, too. The proof of the pudding lies in the eating: some will not cut it and fall by the wayside, but if brokers use it, and insurers support it, an MGA is doing the job it's designed for, and talk of 'death knells' is way off the mark.

You will find the good, the bad and the ugly among MGAs, but I reckon, as shown by Clint Eastwood himself, experience counts and the cream will be still be at the top in many years to come.

What a gas…

Just when I thought this was a quiet week for writing the blog, along comes the CII President's Dinner at The Guildhall. However, take out the 'dinner' bit and, oh yes, the Guildhall, too, thanks to an ill-timed gas leak, and the cupboard's even less bare. I must say Sandy [Scott, the chief executive of the CII] and the CII marketing team pulled off a great drinks party at CII HQ - lovingly referred to as 'Hogwarts' by those in the know.

High on the topics of conversation at the 'dinner' was the latest financial blow to the convicted Independent Insurance directors. Few in the market took any pleasure out of the jail sentences meted out to them and the awful impact on the lives of their families. One former broker wondered how the investigation, at the Serious Fraud Office was developing into RBS's last rights issue which proved so disastrous for investors. "£12bn makes the amount lost by Indy's shareholders seem like pocket money?" he said. I couldn't possibly comment.

Brit Insurance domiciling in The Netherlands was another topic many were trying to get their heads round. Whatever the origins of the Brit name, it has that Bulldog ring to it – they sponsor a cricket team and The Oval, after all, and people questioned whether the move might see them change their name.

Finally, good to see our lads put in a thumping performance against France at Twickenham. My attention though is on Wales v Ireland this week. It decides who gets the bragging rights in our Leadenhall Street office in the Amanda Blanc v Michael Rea contest. If Ireland win their first Slam in half a century, I don't expect to see Michael for several days!