Professionalism
Q&A: Paul Anscombe, retiring CEO of Seventeen Group
After over 40 years as a broker, Paul Anscombe is retiring from Seventeen Group this month. Ahead of his exit he shares his reflections on growing businesses from scratch, leaving the group in safe hands and why he is optimistic for the sector.
Biba 2025: Gallagher’s Samantha Lowry named Young Broker of the Year
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has named Samantha Lowry, commercial team leader, of Gallagher, as its young broker of the year 2025.
Meet the MGA: Shape Underwriting
Mandy Hunt, managing director of Shape Underwriting, explains the logic behind rebranding the Clear MGA business; outlines its holistic approach to acquisitions; and pinpoints the importance of recruiting staff who understand collaboration, integrity…
CII reports 15% increase in insurance qualifications
The Chartered Insurance Institute has reported a 15% annual increase in the number of its insurance qualifications completed in 2024.
Review of the Year 2024: Allianz Commercial’s Nick Hobbs
Allianz Commercial chief distribution officer Nick Hobbs is intrigued by Aviva’s Probitas deal, bemoans the continued presence of underinsurance and hopes that the term ‘insurer service’ is consigned to the clickbait dustbin.
Obituary: David Slade, 19 February 1944 - 4 October 2024
The much respected and revered broking figure David Slade, a past winner of the UK Broker Awards Achievement Award and launch chair of the Faculty of Insurance Broking, has passed away aged 80.
CII to transfer £2m of charitable funds to The Worshipful Company of Insurers
The Chartered Insurance Institute’s charity, the Education and Training Trust, is set to transfer its net assets of about £2m to The Worshipful Company of Insurers.
Third year of institute operating losses at CII
The Chartered Insurance Institute has revealed an operating loss of £760,000 for 2022 in its institute division, where revenue and membership fell as the wider group swung back to overall profit.
Broking Success: Celebrating 50 years of independence
Having celebrated its 50th anniversary as an independent broker, R A Cowen & Partners, which is part of Cowens Group, has no plans to sell up any time soon. CEO Paul Chaplin sets out the philosophy behind the business and shares his route into broking.
CII opens 2023 New Generation Programme for applications
The Chartered Insurance Institute is looking for the leaders of tomorrow as it opens up its 2023 New Generation Programme with a deadline for applications of 7 August.
Interview: Melissa Collett
Melissa Collett left the CII at the end of May. A champion of professionalism and customer fairness, she has some wise words for an insurance industry on the brink of change.
Blog: Who will replace Steve White as Biba CEO?
Seven days on from Steve White dropping the biggest Biba Conference bombshell since Boris Johnson announced he was running for the Tory leadership, Jonathan Swift considers who might be among the early front runners to replace White as the trade body’s…
CII launches five-year plan
The Chartered Insurance Institute published a five-year strategic plan containing six themes.
PFS launches independent governance review amid “current challenges” with CII
The Personal Finance Society revealed an independent governance review just months after the Chartered Insurance Institute seized control of its board.
Brokers cautious about proposals for chartered status on ‘experience’
Brokers are cautious on the Chartered Insurance Institute’s pilot proposals to allow individuals to gain chartered status based on experience.
CII trials giving chartered status on experience rather than exams
The Chartered Insurance Institute is trialling whether to give members chartered status based on experience, rather than having to sit an exam.
CII chief optimistic of PFS resolution despite 'painful' times
The Chartered Insurance Institute’s CEO, Alan Vallance, has stressed that it was in the best interest of the Personal Finance Society members to appoint extra directors despite it being a painful choice, in his latest response to the PFS's consultation.
Society of Insurance Broking chair looks to Biba to improve engagement
The new chair of the Society of Insurance Broking, Laura Hancock, has told Insurance Age that this year’s focus will be on raising professional standards in broking and talent recruitment.
PFS extends consultation deadline amid row with CII board
The Personal Finance Society has extended its consultation deadline on the CII’s plans to ‘take over’ their board.
CII warned PFS members could break away amid board row
The Chartered Insurance Institute faces a walk out from Personal Finance Society members upset over disagreements at board level.
Broker Week 2022: A fine balancing act
Faced with customers expecting easy, seamless digital access, but amid rising levels of cybercrime, brokers need to balance security with convenience. Valerie Hart looks at what brokers can do to ensure trust remains at the heart of their proposition.