Biba 2014: Stuart Reid appointed new Biba deputy chairman

Biba has appointed Bluefin executive chairman Stuart Reid as deputy chairman.

Reid replaces outgoing Arthur J Gallagher UK Retail chief executive Brendan McManus, who has stepped down after five years in the role.

The announcement was made at the Biba conference in Manchester this morning.

On his appointment Reid said: “It is an important time for brokers and they need a strong voice. The new governance structure at Biba has certainly ensured that we have that and I am pleased to be a part of it.”

Reid was previously chair of Biba’s new Larger Brokers’ Advisory Board and will be replaced by incoming Arthur J Gallagher UK Retail chief executive Peter Blanc, who joins the trade body’s board as the voice of its larger members.

Biba chief executive Steve White made the announcement alongside confirmation of the new Biba board.

He told delegates: “Following an extensive consultation exercise, Biba members voted overwhelmingly for changes to our governance that better reflects the way in which insurance intermediaries are now segmented.”

Biba chairman Lord Hunt said: “I am delighted that Stuart will become my deputy. His appointment, along with the changes to the board, put Biba in a very strong position. Brendan has played a key role in driving forward the changes at Biba during the last year, not least his role in leading the segmentation work stream of the strategic review and I thank him for his support.”

McManus said: “I leave knowing that there is a strong and fully representative governance structure in place to represent members at all levels and that reflects broking in the 21st century.”