Opinion
Penny Black's Social World: August 2021
From climate change to charitable donations and fundraisers
Editor's comment: Faster, higher, stronger and together
The Olympics never fail to inspire me. Every four years (in this case five) athletes from around the globe get together to compete in over 400 sporting events.
Blog: Not everyone wants their day in court - why the whiplash reforms can benefit from ADR
The Official Injury Claim portal was launched to the public two months ago, but Tim Wallis, chair of Trust Arbitration, suggests the introduction of alternative dispute resolution might be necessary for claimants, insurers, and law firms to realise the…
PIB’s Brendan McManus on how getting workforces back to the office is crucial for business
PIB Group CEO Brendan McManus shares his personal insight on the significance of 19 July ‘Freedom Day’ for life inside and outside of the workplace.
Blog: Teething problems with the Official Injury Claim portal
Caroline Johnson, technical claims director at LV General Insurance, highlights 'teething problems' with whiplash reforms.
LV’s Michael Lawrence on the importance of investing in digital for the future
Michael Lawrence, distribution and underwriting director at LV Broker, looks at the lessons learned during the pandemic as brokers and insurers continued to serve customers and how firms will need to continue to test themselves and adapt in a hybrid…
Trade Voice: MGAA's Mike Keating charts the course ahead for MGAs
Managing general agents' relative nimbleness, which served them well during the pandemic, as well as clever use of data are the keys for the sector moving forwards as insurers shift their expectations with the hardening market, says Managing General…
Blog: Cladding claims – ongoing challenges post-Grenfell
Brawdia managing director Philip Barmby considers the increasing complexity of cladding claims post-Grenfell.
Pen's Nick Wright on the future of sales and marketing
The pandemic has accelerated the move to digital and remote engagement and forced many transactions online. Nick Wright, chief business development officer for Pen Underwriting, asks if insurance will ever return to good old fashioned face-to-face…
Blog: The pursuit of Covid-19 injury claims
Peter Kenworthy, Keoghs partner and head of disease, considers the scope for Covid-19 injury claims.
Marsh’s Edel Ryan on whether a government backed scheme will be the X Factor for live events
With normality beginning to make a return and the government having rolled out ‘Freedom Day’ on 19 July Edel Ryan, head of strategic business development, UK and Ireland for sport, entertainment and media industry at Marsh, asks if we can expect the come…
Blog: You can’t make me - the challenges of returning to office-based working
As the government's advice to work from home comes to an end, Michael Jenkins, head of legal advice at Arc Legal Assistance, explains what employees and employers can do.
Blog: What does VW Group’s €270m D&O payment mean for 'Dieselgate' D&O coverage?
The VW Group is looking to claw back €270m from its insurers in directors' and officers' claims but Guy Robson, partner at group action law firm Keller Lenkner UK, asks what this might mean for D&O insurance for vehicle manufacturers in the future?
Blog: The risks to employers from ‘Freedom Day’
'Freedom Day' may be approaching but a return to normality could remain a risky business for employers, writes BLM occupational disease team partner Simon Morrow.
Blog: A time for the insurance sector to aim higher
With the end of the Covid pandemic edging closer, now is the time for the insurance industry to put its weight behind societal and environmental change, argues Peter Mansfield, RPC partner.
Rising Star: Aaron Bromley, RSA
After eschewing the university route, Aaron Bromley got his start in commercial underwriting as an apprentice at Axa.
QBE’s Emma Higgins on the new way of working
After the insurance industry adapted quickly to operating remotely last year, it now faces the challenge of addressing new ways of working in the future, says Emma Higgins, chief human resources officer at QBE Europe.
Blog: When climate and credit meet
Sebastien Proffit, Axa Investment Managers' head of portfolio solutions, fixed income, considers approaches for insurers looking to green up their investment strategies.
My Other Life: Greg Brash, smallholder
When he’s not working as a manager in procurement at Allianz Insurance, Greg Brash feeds his passion for sustainable for living by growing his own food.
Partners&’s Stuart Reid on what the rapid pace of broker consolidation means for insurers
Stuart Reid, chair of Partners&, urges insurers to look for brokers that espouse the right values in their service to clients when considering which firms to support rather than being addicted to market share.
Penny Black's Social World: July 2021
Regulation, inclusivity and Guinness World records
Ecclesiastical’s Richard Coleman on the power of specialism
Richard Coleman, UK managing director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, details the opportunities and challenges for brokers in becoming trusted, specialist advisers.
Blog: Credit insurance industry ready to take back underwriting control
A smooth transition is expected as the Government Trade Credit Reinsurance Scheme draws to a close at the end of June, writes Stuart Ramsden, Atradius regional director UK & Ireland.
Editor's comment: Here's to a better second half
We had high hopes for 2021. We were keen to see the back of 2020 which brought with it a global pandemic, toilet roll hoarding, national lockdowns, home schooling hell, business interruption court cases, a ban on sports, enforced staycations, and yet…