Opinion
Is the bubble bursting?
Over the past couple of months, the trade press has reported that consolidators are cutting back on ...
Weave your own web
The internet is a necessity for marketing success, explains Bruce Stewart, as it allows brokers and insurers to work alongside each other to grow their business and deliver modern products that meet the needs of customers
pollyc@incisivemedia.com - The hottest insurance gossip
Now Polly normally conducts herself in an impeccable and ladylike manner, but the British Insurance ...
Editor's comment
As I was in the process of putting the August edition to bed, the news was broken that direct insura...
PB Week: The final slalom for the Olympic insurers
With the official opening of the Olympics next week, its insurer PICC Property Company (PICC) and its broker Marsh, still have many obstacles to negotiate if they are to avoid some potentially damaging claims, writes Katherine Brandon, reporter at…
PB Week: Prince Andrew praises Plumeri’s opening
On Monday, Willis’ chief executive and chairman Joe Plumeri was accompanied by a high powered ensemble to open the Willis Building (again), writes Andrew Tjaardstra, editor, Professional Broking .
PB Week: The crunch in New York
The silly season is officially here and there is one story dominating the news: the credit crunch, the impending recession, rising unemployment, little room to manoeuvre for the Bank of England on interest rates, falling house prices etc, writes Andrew…
PB Week: BIA winners in fine spirit
It was another late night on Wednesday at the British Insurance Awards writes Andrew Tjaardstra, editor of Professional Broking magazine. Entertainment at the Royal Albert Hall came from Rob Brydon, Britain’s Got Talent opera singer Paul Potts and Escala…
PB Week: never underestimate the value of relationships
Last week ended on a high with a trip to France for the Allianz south east region Golf Classic, writes Paul Samways. Whilst the golf course was superb, for me it was all about seeing old friends and meeting new ones and it served as a stark reminder of…
Absence notes - Determining justifiable absence
I have heard of a doctor's note, but never a dentist's note. Can you explain to me what types of sick notes are valid?
Giants can benefit from pause
Oval's decision to call a "summer break" on acquisitions is a sign that the fervent consolidation of...
The truth about disclosure
The German statesman, Konrad Adenauer, once said: "We all live under the same sky but we don't all h...
Gossip from the industry - See you at the nineteenth
Following last year's devastating floods, the industry would welcome one ingredient this summer: sun...
Amending the complaints process
I have updated my complaints procedure as a result of November's compliance rule changes, though I have now heard that they are changing again. Is this correct and what is different?
The mystery of Mystery Shopper
Can someone please tell me the point of Mystery Shopper in Insurance Age? This is a trade magazine, ...
From the front line with love
Letter to President Petrov Arverbeyev. Kazakhstan Insurance Company Astana, Kazakhstan Dear Mr Ar...
Editor's comment
You would think, as an editor of an insurance trade press magazine, I would have more insurance comm...
The hottest insurance gossip
As it is the season for horse racing, Polly joined Acturis and company at the York Races. Now, as yo...
Beyond the call of duty
In a competitive commercial market, Gary Head explains how understanding the challenges facing small businesses is critical for brokers looking to increase profits and maintain a healthy customer base
Fencing, not mincing, words
As a former county fencing - specifically sabre - champion, I was amused to note the imagery of a sa...
PB Week: Brit gooner dines out
The past week has been all about numbers, mainly how many calories consumed and how many units of alcohol (21 of course, as always!), writes guest blogger Simon Cooter.
PB Week: Football can save us from the economy
As we hear about gloomy news from our nation’s economists and layoffs galore in the insurance sector courtesy of Norwich Union and Zurich , we are probably all glad we have the distraction of the European Championships, or maybe not, as our home nations…
PB Week: Elliot Lane describes his last seven days in broking
I started the week still reeling from the news Patrick ‘The General’ Snowball had decided to move his tank from the Towergate lawns. It dawned on me that left Sandy Scott, CII chief executive, one of the highest ranking ex-servicemen in the insurance…
Underwriters must be adaptable
Managing the cycle and maintaining underwriting discipline remains critical to the long-term health ...