Management
Countryside alliance
Ian Gosden, managing director of Higos Insurance, is working closely with clients to prevent the importance of insurance being diluted by lowbrow advertising.
Preparing for the bombshell
UK pension provision is in crisis and so retirement income responsibility must pass from the state to the individual. Sam Barrett reviews the options available to employers.
CII tightens chartered criteria
The Chartered Insurance Institute has added to its corporate Chartered Broker scheme criteria in order to improve professionalism, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.
Nurturing change
Many in the insurance industry fail to see the value of continuing professional development but Ana Catalano explains how implementing a programme can win back public trust
Engaging with SMEs
A sound SME client base is fundamental to any regional broker. Edward Murray advises on how to win this much sought after business in a period when many smaller enterprises are having to make cost savings
FSA extends approved persons regime
Directors and senior managers need to "understand their regulatory obligations" says the FSA
Michael Rea to head up CCV
Rea makes move from Towergate Underwriting following departure of Tim Johnson
Groupama creates new commercial role
Groupama makes internal promotion to head up commercial distribution
RFIB chooses new CEO
Patrick Holcroft hands over to Marshall King
Former Aon deputy chairman joins JLT
Jonathan Palmer-Brown joins at "an exciting time" for JLT
Swinton chairman to take equivalent role at Biba
Patrick Smith appointed chairman atbroking trade body
Safety first
Ian Clements is managing director of Reading-based Quadriga Health & Safety. He tells PB about his firm and its insurance requirements.
Steering to calmer waters
Andrew Tjaardstra meets Jerry Clayton, managing director of Woodham Ferrers-based LFC Insurance Group, which has refinanced after moving to an Australian bank.
Effective cost-cutting
My company is experiencing financial hardship and need to look at ways of cutting costs. I want to avoid making redundancies because I am happy with my workforce. What alternatives are there?
Regulator's advertising rules overlook risks
The many ways that consumers or rival businesses can pursue a company over its promotions means that the Financial Services Authority's guides may not be enough on their own to steer brokers down the right path, writes Robin Fry.
Economists divided over duration of recession
The state of the economy is hitting brokers in the pocket and it is hard to predict when the recession will end, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.
Two decades of growth
A major transformation for this independent, regional insurance broker has taken place over the last two years, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.
Agenda: Organic growth is no quick fix
Tony Cornell asks whether consolidators can secure organic growth
Inflation still above Bank of England target in May
The Bank of England looks set to keep interest rates down as inflation continues to miss its target