Laying the foundations.

Affinities can still be a profitable source of business, despite harder market conditions. John Meredith says getting off to a good start is key to sowing the seeds of success.

Setting up an affinity scheme was relatively easy three years ago
when market conditions were soft. Loosely associated businesses or
individuals could get together to create an affinity group, purely to get
premium discounts, making it an attractive option.


Unfortunately, many of these schemes were hasty and ill-conceived, with
little planning and no real long-term strategy. Despite an array of
knowledgeable underwriters and recognised insurers, many poorly planned
schemes were launched, often via