Penny Black’s Insurance Week - 29 January

It was a tragedy for the UK insurance industry as a whole. Among the small consolations was the recognition of Motor Insurers’ Bureau boss Ashton West who was handed an OBE. Or, as British Insurance Brokers’ Association chairman Lord Hunt told Penny this week, an award for “Other Bugger’s Efforts”! His Lordship was, of course, awarded an MBE in 1973. What did that gong represent? “My Bloody Efforts!” his Lordship guffawed. Meanwhile, while autonomous braking technology is often referred to as fool-proof, it would appear the ABS system in use at Thatcham’s research HQ is not yet Scouser-proof – as proved following an incident involving Biba boy racer Andy Thornley. Taking to the track to test out the in-car ABS kit, Biba’s corporate affairs head somehow managed to mow down a child-sized crash dummy after the vehicle had been brought to an automatic halt. Penny was informed by the trade body’s executive director – and shocked bystander – Graeme Trudgill that the Liverpudlian speed demon had put the pedal to the metal and refused to take his foot off the gas after the reset function on the ABS software had kicked in – resulting in one mauled mannequin and one redfaced Biba boy. Best to stick to the pushbike, Andy!

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This article was published in the 29 January edition of Post magazine.