Opinion
Are pay freezes jeopardising broker staff retention?
With some insurers pushing for a full return to the office and pay increases failing to keep pace with inflation, Scott McGee explores how some employees are voting with their feet – and how the sector should rethink its approach to hiring and retention…
Why Aviva’s takeover of Direct Line is bad news
James Daley, managing director of Fairer Finance, shares his thoughts on Aviva’s £3.7bn takeover of Direct Line Group and raises concerns about the impact of mega mergers on customer service.
Political violence losses and logistical challenges for claims
Dealing with insurance claims relating to political violence demands a rapid, specialised and technologically sophisticated response, according to Hugh Sparks, managing director of onshore energy and mining plus natural resources at Charles Taylor.
What a softer market means for the private client market
Trade Voice: Suzi Rackley, member of the CII Broking Community board and client director at Howden Private Clients, looks at what signs of a softer market mean for insurers, brokers and customers.
How the Battle of Hastings could hurt insurers
Editor’s View: Hastings Insurance’s victory over HM Revenue & Customs marks a significant turning point for insurance intermediaries and their ability to recover VAT, according to Emma Ann Hughes.
Is NI hike a tipping point for insurers?
Ahead of the National Insurance rate for employers increasing from 13.8% to 15% next month, Neil Garrett, sales director at Verisk, considers if Labour's latest hike could force insurers to rethink the way they handle claims.
Transatlantic collaboration key to tackling AI fraud
Mike Brown, partner and head of fraud at law firm Weightmans, discusses how with the Insurance Fraud Investigators Group voting to form a UK chapter of the International Association of Special Investigation Units, transatlantic collaboration is key to…
Confronting the challenges in our EV evolution
Trade Voice: Jonathan Fong, manager of general insurance policy at the Association of British Insurers, sets out the challenges the UK faces around increased adoption of electric vehicles.
What has driven loss adjuster start-ups to near extinction?
Content Director’s View: The beginning of the century saw a number of loss adjusting start-ups fueled by entrepreneurial managers and teams determined to go it alone and forge their own paths outside of the incumbent ‘big boys’ but of late these new…
Housing shortages force insurers to think creatively
View from the Top: Megan Dunford, head of large and complex property claims at Zurich, discusses the growing challenges in sourcing alternative accommodation for displaced customers amid rising costs and supply shortages.
Why telematics is far from dead and buried
Liam Parker, Winn Group’s telematics and electric vehicle first notification of loss manager, shares why telematics far from being on the wane should be at the heart of modern motor claims handling.
Why loss adjusters are more than just financial gatekeepers
Trade Voice: John Bissell, executive director of the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters, explains how the role of loss adjusters play in the industry is increasingly pivotal.
Why we need women’s networks now more than ever
Editor’s View: The insurance industry needs women’s networks now more than ever, Emma Ann Hughes argues, especially given the popularity of the likes of online influencer Andrew Tate and US President Donald Trump.
Allianz Partners’ Moon on women who made her reach for the stars
Patricia Moon, CEO of Allianz Partners UK and Ireland, on inspiring the next generation of female leaders, being viewed as aggressive rather than assertive, and creating job adverts that encourage women to apply for jobs.
Zurich’s Bate on insurers accelerating gender parity progress
Ahead of International Women’s Day, Natalie Bate, head of education, charities and social organisations for Zurich Municipal, shares the five steps insurers should take to accelerate action and achieve gender parity in our lifetimes.
Why the race for equality should be a relay rather than a marathon
Charlotte Wilson, executive underwriter for fine art at Apollo, grabs the baton and ensures female colleagues have lanes beyond the whim of invitations to sporting events to raise their profile in the insurance industry.
SSP Broker’s Majeed on proving career pathways offer real opportunities
Nazia Majeed, head of product and service delivery at SSP Broker, on creating career paths that will make women stick with insurance.
Miller’s Lebecq on the pathway to gender parity
Reflecting on the accelerate action theme of this year’s International Women's Day, Clare Lebecq, chief operating officer at Miller, argues actions still speak louder than words when it comes to achieving gender parity in insurance.
Bringing a little cultural sunshine to the insurance market
View from the Top: Carolyn Callan, CEO of Brown & Brown Retail, explains why strong company culture is key to navigating mergers and acquisitions and ensuring lasting success.
Axa’s Foley on leading by example to achieve equality
Tara Foley, CEO of Axa UK & Ireland, outlines why leading by example is essential to achieving equality in the workplace, and that while great strides have been made, there are areas – including data and technology – where there is still significant work…
Carbon Underwriting’s Ferrier wants less conversation and more action
Jacqui Ferrier, founding partner and chief underwriting officer at Carbon Underwriting, observes while conversations around inclusivity have gained momentum, the real focus must be on accelerating progress and not just talking about it.
Why I won’t accept discrimination and challenge it
Dr Lynn Gordon, chief medical officer at Charles Taylor Assistance, shares the discrimination she faced, why she will never accept prejudice and the importance of continuing to challenge it.
Davies’ Fairbrother on breaking the barriers women face
Gillie Fairbrother, global responsible business officer at Davies, confronts the biases women in insurance face and shares how her organisation has increased female leadership representation from 22% to 33%.
QBE’s Fresneau tackles the underwritten bias
The sector’s gender imbalance doesn’t need women to push harder, it requires a mindset shift and structural change for all, says Cécile Fresneau, managing director of QBE Europe’s insurance division.