Paul Matthews: his aspiration to be the next James Bond

Paul Matthews has always vowed he would one day buy a brokerage but recently he unsubtly revealed another aspiration ... to be the next James Bond. OK, so most males will admit to an admiration for the world's smoothest spy but they usually stop short of a full photo shoot, which in this case included a pistol, Aston Martin, backdrop of a continental location and semi-clad females ornamentally draped over Matthews, err, sorry, Bond. The excuse? Footman James is sponsoring the Classic Motor Show and is celebrating the launch of new bond film Casino Royale. Overheard wonders if rival broker David Hinks may adopt a similar approach to marketing; the name's Bond - Firebond. Overheard's spies think it unlikely after sightings of Hinks reveal a character staring out of the window in music shops, while strumming a guitar. Anyway, Hinks drives a Bentley.

On the subject of cars, the insurance industry recently unveiled the Insurance Fraud Bureau and, inadvertently, the industry's equivalent of MP Barbara Castle in the process. The Labour stalwart was famed for introducing the 70mph speed limit while unable to drive. Stephen Sklaroff, deputy director general of the Association of British Insurers, and one of the senior men driving the initiative sheepishly let it drop that he has no such ability behind the wheel.

Professional Broking was contacted recently by a personal lines broker who sent a letter entitled 'Broker for Sale'. Not having the heart to tell him that this ought to be placed in the classified section, PB called him out of curiosity. What was his reason for selling, our minds were plagued with wondering? Competition, regulation? The response, when it came, from the elderly proprietor was "well I'm 85, don't you think it's time I slowed down?!" As it happens, we did think he deserved a break, so set about trying to fix him up with a suitor. Towergate said if the deal came off they would buy us a pint, while Paul Meehan's offer was an improvement, at a case of the finest wine. PB editorial are holding out for Equity's offer of 1% GWP, purely on the basis that Equity has more experience as a personal lines consolidator you understand.