Backchat: March 2025

Dinner delight

In February 2025, insurance software firm Open GI treated trade press to a slap up meal at the five star Covent Garden Hotel. In attendance for Insurance Times was editor Katie Scott and news editor James Cowen.

The three course dinner included a root vegetable and blue cheese starter, lamb tagine main course and a baked cheesecake for the all important dessert.

Although dinner conversation covered artificial intelligence, software houses and data, less sector-centric subjects included toddlers, music preferences – such as Scott’s penchant for cheesy 90s pop – and Cowen’s self-taught magician act.

Basement basilica 

Excavators at City location 85 Gracechurch Street, which formerly housed insurance firm CFC Underwriting, have discovered the remains of London’s first Roman basilica during basement excavations. 

The first century building is believed to be the centre of Roman Londinium, the capital of Roman Britain during Roman rule, and was the main location for trade and administration during this ancient period.

Excavations in the basement of the Gracechurch Street building were being carried out in February 2025 in preparation for demolishing and replacing the current tower block.

However, following the archaeological discovery, the City of London Corporation said that the planning proposals would be revised to allow for an ”immersive display of the Forum Basilica as an inclusive, seven-day public exhibition” focusing on the heritage of the City. 

Who wants to be… on holiday? 

Travel insurance broker AllClear Travel Insurance is the newest official sponsor of iconic British television game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire? 

The firm will take sponsorship idents before and after the show’s ad breaks, representing its first move into national TV advertising.

Chief executive Chris Rolland commented: “We are thrilled to partner with ITV to sponsor such an iconic TV show. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? has been changing lives for the better for decades – and at AllClear Travel Insurance, we share that spirit of enabling people to embrace life to the full.”

Oar-some accolades

Although most brokers are well equipped to navigate the turbulent waters of market cycles, one professional that has more experience than most when it comes to successfully keeping afloat is Bill Baker, client director at The Clear Group.

Baker is a former elite rower, representing Putney’s London Rowing Club at the Henley Royal Regatta 12 times – he secured victories in both the Wyfold Challenge Cup and Stewards Challenge Cup in the 90s.

He also represented Great Britain twice at World Championships – in Australia in 1990 and in the Czech Republic in 1993 – as well as represented England at 1994’s Commonwealth Regatta. 

Other rowing accolades to Baker’s name include being named National Champion four times between 1993 and 1995 and winning the Vernon Trophy for club eights at the Tideway Head of the River Race in 1994.

After learning to row at school, Baker attended Putney-based clubs when he turned 18 to finesse his craft. Following his successful elite career, Baker retired from competitive rowing in 1996 and is now the chairman of the London Rowing Club.