From film premieres, broker podcasts, birthdays and encounters with TV broadcast journalists, what has the insurance industry been up to of late? You heard it here first…
Carpenters Group sponsors Bolan’s shoes
Carpenters Group will be sponsoring the world premiere of Bolan’s Shoes in Liverpool on 14 September 2023. The film tells the story of Marc Bolan and the rise of his band T.Rex before his death in 1977.
Carpenters Group was approached by the film’s production company Buffalo Dragon about being a headline sponsor. The law firm later found out that it would be supporting men’s mental health charity Sean’s Place, which it has worked with since January 2020.
Donna Scully, Carpenter’s Group director, told Insurance Times: “It was an unusual sponsorship for us, but it ticked so many boxes close to our heart.”
To celebrate the film’s premier in Liverpool, the law firm will be attending with friends, family and clients.
Open GI launches broker podcast
August saw Open GI launch a new podcast for brokers. Entitled a Digital Guide for Brokers, the podcast provides advice and support for brokers on how to tackle the digital opportunity within general insurance (GI).
It features senior leaders at the insurance software firm sharing first-hand experience.
The initial six episodes are available on all major podcast platforms, with a new 30 minute episode to be released every fortnight.
Open GI marketing manager Andrew Hearn told Insurance Times: “We’ve had a really positive reaction to our reaction to our first episode. We’re always keen to share the breadth of knowledge that’s held among our colleagues.”
Zego turns seven
August saw insurtech unicorn Zego turn seven years old. The firm celebrated with a party for its staff – also known as Zegons – on its new roof terrace. The party included food, drinks and magic tricks as well as a three-tier cake decorated with cars, e-scooters and vans, in keeping with it being a commercial motor insurtech.
Zego chief executive Sten Saar told Insurance Times: “As we celebrate, we’re looking back to where we’ve come from and looking forward to where we’re going next. At Zego we have a much bigger vision and are far more excited about the future.”
Encounters with Parky
On 16 August, TV presenter, broadcaster and journalist Michael Parkinson passed away at aged 88, but one lucky insurance veteran had a chance encounter with him when he was alive.
In 1974, Kieran Marsh, now founder and chairman at independent compliance firm Marsh Corporate Consulting, had the pleasure of meeting Parkinson at a product launch. Back then, Marsh worked for biopharmaceutical firm Sandoz.
He recalled that Parkinson relayed a golden nugget of wisdom: “Dream big, because you will never get a chance to grow bigger than your dreams.”
This saying has stayed with Marsh to this day.
Since then, Marsh has worked for the likes of Aviva, Biba and Axa in compliance roles, before launching his compliance consultancy in 1990, which has now been running for more than 33 years.
The Speculator
As the September 2023 issue of Insurance Times flies through your letterboxes, the reinsurance industry and its insurance sector customers will be jetting off to sunny Monaco for the Rendez-Vous de Septembre conference (9-13 September 2023).
At the event, the top brass from reinsurance and insurance firms will begin discussions over the upcoming reinsurance cycle, with the potential cost shocks of 1 January 2024 on the mind for many insurers.
Over a series of 30 minute meetings often characterised as high-stakes speed dating, those involved in the reinsurance cycle will hopefully glean some much-needed clarity around the approach to pricing and risk selection.
So, what can the industry expect to emerge from the warmer climes of Monte Carlo?
Interested in all things insurance technology and insurtech.
Writer of the monthly TechTalk section of the magazine and backchat. When not writing can be found doing yoga, at some kind of dance workshop, singing, globetrotting, or baking – not in any specific order.View full Profile
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