Archive for February, 2010

BIBA Weekly activity update

Friday, February 26th, 2010

26 February 2010
Dear Member
 
This week’s top issues:
  

  • BIBA’s conference registration is now open! Click here
  • BIBA met with the FSA to discuss the revision of the Insurance Mediation Directive
  • Liaised with the House of Lords about the Flood and Water Management Bill

 

BIBA has also:

  • Met with the Mail on Sunday and Insurance Times to promote brokers and update them on market issues
  • Liaised with the DVLA about the new system of continuous insurance enforcement
  • Attended The Insurance Industry Working Group (IIWG) meeting to progress the initiative
  • Invited members to a forum in Manchester to review the economic outlook and its impact on brokers click here
  • Attended launch of the RICS final report Transparency in professional fees
  • Issued three regulation updates for members click here
  • Attended the Captive and trade credit conference
  • Met with BIBA’s partners to discuss broker market issues
  • Held its private medical insurance committee meeting
  • Supported the launch of Getting British Businesses online click here
  • Tweeted about its latest activity. Follow BIBA here

For more information on any of these activities, please call the BIBA member helpline on 0844 77 00 266 

Kind regards  

Eric Galbraith
Chief Executive

Business focused seminar sessions announced for BIBA 2010, Professionalism in a changing world

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has announced its business focused seminar programme for its 2010 conference and exhibition to be held on May 19 & 20.

The six sessions, which all BIBA members can attend free of charge, include a debate on motor claims chaired by Journalist Quentin Willson, the launch of a government initiative to help brokers get online, the use of social networking sites as an online marketing tool, a session on business recovery and resilience, a CII session on professionalism and a presentation on working under pressure from an ex-army bomb disposal expert.

BIBA Chief Executive, Eric Galbraith, said: “I am really pleased to announce such a strong line up of seminar sessions.  The sessions are all focused to provide brokers with business knowledge and support that they can take back to their office.  With free entry for BIBA brokers to the conference, I’m looking forward to welcoming many members to Excel in May.”

The seminar programme follows the earlier announcement that the keynote speakers for this year’s BIBA conference have been confirmed as Joe Plumeri, Chairman & CEO of Willis, the BBC’s World Affairs Editor, John Simpson and the much loved actress Joanna Lumley.

There will also be a keynote debate on the Thursday, chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby which will include, Robert Brown, CEO, Aon; Peter Cullum, Executive Chairman, Towergate, Phillip Hodson, CEO, Oval Group; Sandy Scott, CEO, CII and Richard Ward, CEO, Lloyd’s.

This year’s conference and exhibition, held over two full days at ExCeL London on May 19 & 20, will feature four keynote sessions for the first time.

The BIBA conference & exhibition is free to all BIBA members. Other brokers or intermediaries may attend the exhibition for free. Upgrades to a full conference ticket are available.

Registration will be open shortly. To book a place log on to http://www.biba.org.uk/ and click on the conference icon.

-ends-

Notes to editors

1. For further information please contact :

BIBA press office:
Leighann Burtrand, Communications Manager
020 7397 0223
burtrandl@biba.org.uk

2. About British Insurance Brokers’ Association

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) is the UK’s leading general insurance organisation representing the interests of insurance brokers, intermediaries and their customers.

BIBA membership includes 1700 regulated firms. Insurance brokers and intermediaries distribute nearly two-thirds of all UK general insurance. In 2008, insurance brokers and intermediaries generated £1.5 billion of invisible earnings and they introduce £22 billion of premium income into London’s insurance market each year.

BIBA is the voice of the industry, advising members, the regulators, the Government, consumer bodies and other stakeholders on key insurance issues.  BIBA provides unique schemes and facilities, technical advice, guidance on regulation and business support and is helping to raise, and maintain, industry standards. BIBA works closely with the Chartered Insurance Institute to provide training to those working in the industry and actively participates in helping the industry and its customers deal with some of the major issues of the day.

BIBA members provide professional advice to businesses and consumers, playing a key role in identification, measurement, management, control and transfer of risk.  They negotiate appropriate insurance protection tailored to individual needs and operate to a very high standard of customer service with the aim of ensuring peace of mind, security, financial protection and the professional advice required.

To find your nearest BIBA broker visit the ‘Find A Broker’ section of the BIBA website, www.biba.org.uk or call BIBA’s consumer helpline on 0870 950 1790

BIBA’s weekly Activity

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Dear Member
 
This week’s top issues:
  

  •  Held our regular quarterly meeting with HM Treasury

  • Met separately with HM Treasury to discuss the Equality Bill and signposting business to brokers
  • Met with the FSA Practitioner Panels’ secretariat to discuss a range of issues

BIBA has also:

  • Promoted the benefits of brokers and discussed another broker supplement following the latest Guardian publication click here
  • Met with Complinet to discuss regulation issues
  • Held its first Trade Credit Group meeting to discuss trade credit insurance issues and future engagement with ABI and government
  • Held its regional Chairman’s meeting to discuss member issues
  • Met with Post Magazine to discuss broker issues 
  • Tweeted about its latest activity. Follow BIBA here

     

  • Attended European and International Regulation Roundtable at the FSA

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    •   

      For more information on any of these activities, please call the BIBA member helpline on 0844 77 00 266

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

     

Kind regards  Eric Galbraith
Chief Executive

BIBA hosts pre-election forum to review the economic outlook and its impact on brokers

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) is to host a pre-election forum in Manchester. The event will aim to give brokers an insight into the economic outlook for 2010, the impact on their businesses and advice on ways of steering their way successfully through the continuing downturn.

The forum will take place at the City of Manchester Stadium on 25 March 2010 and will boast a panel of senior industry figures responding to the thoughts of Joe Suddaby, a leading analyst from independent corporate advisory firm, Lexicon. BIBA Chief Executive Eric Galbraith will chair the event. 

The sessions will give brokers a unique insight into how to take their businesses forward through this year and beyond. Mr Suddaby will provide an overview of the wider economic outlook for 2010, the possible change of government and how this could impact the insurance industry as a whole and brokers in particular. A panel of industry experts will explore some of the options for brokers to consider as they review their business plans. Discussions will include adopting new business practices to become more competitive, seeking the support of a network and “buy, sell or merge” strategies. A Q&A session will allow delegates to pose their own questions to the panellists as well as debate the presentations.

Peter Staddon, BIBA Head of Technical Services, says: “We know that getting through 2009 has been tough for our members and while they can take comfort from the fact that they’re weathering the storm, 2010 isn’t promising to be an easy ride. We’ve assembled a panel of some of the top minds in our industry to give brokers expert insight on the economy and its effect on insurance, and inspire them with solutions for embracing the challenges posed by it.”

This forum is free to BIBA members and is also open to non-members and will take place between 9am and 11am. There will be an opportunity for networking as well as a tour of the venue for those interested, and a light breakfast will be provided.

 -ends-

Notes to editors

1. For further information please contact :

BIBA press office:
Leighann Burtrand, Communications Manager
020 7397 0223
burtrandl@biba.org.uk

2. About British Insurance Brokers’ Association

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) is the UK’s leading general insurance organisation representing the interests of insurance brokers, intermediaries and their customers.

BIBA membership includes 1700 regulated firms. Insurance brokers and intermediaries distribute nearly two-thirds of all UK general insurance. In 2008, insurance brokers and intermediaries generated £1.5 billion of invisible earnings and they introduce £22 billion of premium income into London’s insurance market each year.

BIBA is the voice of the industry, advising members, the regulators, the Government, consumer bodies and other stakeholders on key insurance issues.  BIBA provides unique schemes and facilities, technical advice, guidance on regulation and business support and is helping to raise, and maintain, industry standards. BIBA works closely with the Chartered Insurance Institute to provide training to those working in the industry and actively participates in helping the industry and its customers deal with some of the major issues of the day.

BIBA members provide professional advice to businesses and consumers, playing a key role in identification, measurement, management, control and transfer of risk.  They negotiate appropriate insurance protection tailored to individual needs and operate to a very high standard of customer service with the aim of ensuring peace of mind, security, financial protection and the professional advice required.

To find your nearest BIBA broker visit the ‘Find A Broker’ section of the BIBA website, www.biba.org.uk or call BIBA’s consumer helpline on 0870 950 1790

BIBA weekly update

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Dear Member
 
This week’s top issues:
  

BIBA has also:

  • Held regional compliance forums in Scotland and Northern Ireland
  • Met with Insurance Age to discuss and promote broker issues
  • Met with the London Market Group chairman and secretariat
  • Held its Liability and Accident Committee meeting
  • Attended the Insurance Charities Grants Committee meeting
  • Met with Aviva to discuss its broker promotion campaign
  • Been tweeting about its latest activity. Follow BIBA here

For more information on any of these activities, please call the BIBA member helpline on 0844 77 00 266 

Kind regards  Eric Galbraith
Chief Executive

BIBA weekly update

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Dear Member
 
This week’s top issues:
 

  • Visited the European Parliament and delivered our manifesto to the European Commission, Insurance Unit, Chief lawyer
  • Attended the BIPAR (European Federation of Insurance Intermediaries) conference to represent members on issues such as regulation and the Insurance Mediation Directive review
  • Promoted the benefits of brokers and BIBA’s find a broker service in The Guardian insurance supplement – click here

BIBA has also:

  • Responded to the Department for Transport consultation paper on the directive for driving licenses – click here
  • Met with Consumer Direct to discuss how brokers can help consumers to find insurance and assist with claims
  • Issued three regulation updates on the Strategic Export Control Listscorporate governance  and financial sanctions
  • Worked with the Belfast Consumer Council to promote brokers in its consumer insurance guide
  • Attended the CBI trade association council to discuss member issues
  • Supported the Federation of Small Businesses by attending their annual dinner
  • Held its Property Committee meeting to discuss issues affecting members

For more information on any of these activities, please call the BIBA member helpline on 0844 77 00 266
Kind regards  

Eric Galbraith
Chief Executive

Harris Balcombe welcomed into BIBA associate membership

Monday, February 1st, 2010

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has welcomed Harris Balcombe, insurance claims specialists, into associate membership.

Harris Balcombe will bring in-depth industry knowledge and expertise on claims management to BIBA members and their clients.

Commenting, Eric Galbraith, BIBA Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to welcome Harris Balcombe as an associate member of BIBA and look forward to working closely with them in the future.”

Nicholas Balcombe, Partner of Harris Balcombe LLP, comments:  “We are delighted to join BIBA and to bring our highly skilled negotiation and claims management specialism to this august body and we look forward to working with them.”

-ends-

Notes to editors

  • For further information please contact :

BIBA press office:
Leighann Burtrand, Communications Manager
020 7397 0223
burtrandl@biba.org.uk

  • About British Insurance Brokers’ Association

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) is the UK’s leading general insurance organisation representing the interests of insurance brokers, intermediaries and their customers.

BIBA membership includes 1700 regulated firms. Insurance brokers and intermediaries distribute nearly two-thirds of all UK general insurance. In 2008, insurance brokers and intermediaries generated £1.5 billion of invisible earnings and they introduce £22 billion of premium income into London’s insurance market each year.

BIBA is the voice of the industry, advising members, the regulators, the Government, consumer bodies and other stakeholders on key insurance issues.  BIBA provides unique schemes and facilities, technical advice, guidance on regulation and business support and is helping to raise, and maintain, industry standards. BIBA works closely with the Chartered Insurance Institute to provide training to those working in the industry and actively participates in helping the industry and its customers deal with some of the major issues of the day.

BIBA members provide professional advice to businesses and consumers, playing a key role in identification, measurement, management, control and transfer of risk.  They negotiate appropriate insurance protection tailored to individual needs and operate to a very high standard of customer service with the aim of ensuring peace of mind, security, financial protection and the professional advice required.

To find your nearest BIBA broker visit the ‘Find A Broker’ section of the BIBA website, www.biba.org.uk or call BIBA’s consumer helpline on 0870 950 1790