Biba 2011: My Manchester Q&A - Part One

To give you an idea of what to expect we asked regional manager Dawn Derbyshire and director James Sharp of Ten Insurance Services to give us their thoughts on the changes in the local marketplace.

1) What would you say distinguishes Manchester from other UK insurance markets?

DD: Outside of London we have the largest insurance presence.

JS: The relatively few people still employed by Aviva.

2) What have been the most notable changes in the local Manchester insurance market since the Biba conference was last here in 2009?

DD: Since Biba last attended Manchester in 2009, the team at Ten has established our presence in the insurance market locally and grown whilst other larger players such as Aviva have moved their servicing team away - in Aviva's case, down to Leicester. I believe the market here is more aggressive and as a result we have seen more players come into the Manchester market.

JS: Quite a lot of people have moved to bigger/nicer offices; including us. And like everywhere else, it has got so much more competitive.

3) What are your views about the role of social media in insurance? Will you be tweeting from the conference?

DD: This is a different method of communication and can be as good or as bad as you make or want it as with any other method of communication. However I do feel it is starting to play an important part in our industry and long may this trend continue... however I won't be tweeting from the conference - I'm not a bird - although I am female.

JS: I won't be tweeting, having tried it a couple of times and run out of space before I finished saying what I wanted to say.

4) Lord Alan Sugar, star of the Apprentice, is one of the keynote speakers at the conference. With this mind who would you most like to tell "you're fired"?

DD: Sir Alex Ferguson - the Manchester United manager

JS: The Financial Services Authority - but then, they've already had their marching orders. However one wonders whether this will simply be a case of search and replace, amending the S with a C. Plus ça change.

5) The 2011 Biba conference is titled "Opportunities in Adversity". Where do you see the most potential in the Manchester insurance market between now and 2013?

DD: The current economic climate provides an ideal opportunity for Manchester to flourish I think. Ten has proven that there is opportunity there if you want to take hold of it. We opened our office as the recession was starting to bit but this didn't stop us growing. It's been a huge success for us. Not only has it shown commitment to our brokers and competitors but also to the industry. We have proved that growth is an important part of our future and our commitment to work with local insurers has allowed us to benefit with regular contact throughout the markets. We've increased headcount and are still growing. The additional office in Manchester with a local presence in the north of the country has definitely been an attractive point for local ‘start ups'. We've doubled our presence in the North West and continue to receive lots of enquiries from the region.

JS: Picking up business and/or staff from people who don't survive until 2013.

6) The Biba Conference should be Manchester every year because?

DD: It's easily accessible from all areas of the country, there are great social opportunities for delegates and very friendly people.

JS: The NEC and Excel are simply horrid. Anyway, people prefer a city centre and, of course, the weather in Manchester is always so good.

To read how other local industry figures from a raft of insurers and brokers including Allianz, Aviva, NIG, Chartis, LV, Groupama, Carole Nash, CCV, Swinton, Bridge and Arista responded to these questions. Plus all the latest news and views from the Conference, remember to pick up your Biba Daily on Wednesday and Thursday.