Dear Readers
When was the last time you sat down with your peers and spoke openly about the challenges facing all of the many players in this dynamic global insurance market? I am frequently struck not only by the diverse and ever-changing nature of the insurance universe but by its hectic pace, leaving its leaders with barely a moment to take stock.
That is why, in response to demand, Insurance Times has developed a new one-day conference for senior executives. This high-powered good day out has been carefully designed to offer
a unique opportunity for delegates to enjoy networking and targeted thought leadership
sessions. On October 13, I will be joined at the Hilton Tower Hill by some of the industry’s most prominent figures and together we will talk about some of the key issues and crucially, ask what the answers might be.
The day will have a focus on how global insurers run their businesses, how it influences the UK market and how they could do it better. We will look in detail at the insurance value chain, asking what challenges and opportunities it entails, in a session chaired by the internationally renowned insurer representative group, the Geneva Association. We will consider the changing shape of capital – the new sources and requirements. And we also intend to answer all your questions about Solvency II.
AXA UK chief executive Philippe Maso will be joined on stage by Microsoft Financial Services director of insurance Gordon Ejsmond-Frey and FSA director of wholesale and prudential
policy Paul Sharma, to answer the audience’s questions.
We will also be considering some of the major events on the calendar – in particular, the 2012 Olympics. David Allen, head of insurance at the Olympic Delivery Committee will present onstage with his insurer RSA, represented by Colin Hamling, and intermediary Tim Smith of Jardine Lloyd Thompson.
Oh and, yes, the rumours are true! Fortis’ Barry Smith will be interviewing Towergate chairman Peter Cullum live on stage. The plan is for Barry to tackle Mr Cullum on how he sees current market conditions, to obtain an insight into how he has built his broking empire, as well as find out what he thinks the key challenges will be over the next five years.
After further networking opportunities over lunch, our day will continue with a consideration of the changing shape of risk-bearing capital, with panellists including Henry Kus, director of weather and insurance derivatives. And later, we will look at driving growth in insurance through innovation and efficiency, asking if we are missing business opportunities. And we will look at the ways in which change has been forced upon a reluctant industry and consider how well it has been dealt with.
So, I hope you share my great excitement about this unique event, bring together the greatest minds, and greatest successes of the insurance industry. And I look forward to your company on October 13.
