Best of Biba backchats 2024

Staying Alive

A coalition of climate protest groups, called Don’t Insure the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (Stop Eacop), made an appearance outside the Biba Conference on day one this year, staging a musical performance of the Bee Gees hit song Staying Alive.

As a result, the broker trade body tightened its security measures with an increased police presence and more stringent entry checks.

The climate group was targeting insurers, campaigning against the provision of insurance for fossil fuel projects.

Stop Eacop includes protest groups Insure our Future, Extinction Rebellion, Stop West Cumbria Coal Mine, Greenpeace Manchester, Manchester Friends of the Earth, Just Stop Oil, Global Justice Now and Tipping Point. 

Trudgill’s first Biba keynote 

Graeme Trudgill delivered his first opening keynote as chief executive of Biba at this year’s conference. Former chief executive Steve White announced his retirement at 2023’s Biba Conference, with Trudgill’s promotion effective from July 2023. 

During his opening address, Trudgill outlined his vision of cooperation and allyship to drive positive change across the industry. 

He also called on the FCA, which had a stand in the exhibition hall, to offer a period of stability following the introduction of “demanding regulation”. 

 Graffiti art

The Insurance Times logo had a makeover thanks to Gallagher-owned Pen Underwriting. The MGA presented Insurance Times editor Katie Scott with a framed revamped logo in orange, pink and black graffiti.

The artwork will be proudly displayed in Insurance Times’ headquarters in London.

Run Biba Run

Not even rainy Manchester weather could dampen the Insurtech Biba Run Club in Manchester.

Led by Elliott Green, sales director at Genasys, a group of insurtech delegates started their Biba Conference 2024 with a run, which was sponsored by Genasys and Percayso Inform.

Runners included Green and Richard Tomlinson, managing director of Percayso Inform. The runners sported a blue branded ’Run Biba Run’ t-shirt. 

Tapoly hits the Velodrome

Janthana Kaenprakhamroy, chief executive and founder of insurtech MGA Tapoly, kicked off her Biba Conference this year by speeding around an Olympic standard cycle track at the Velodrome in Manchester.

The event was organised by insurance firm Fortegra – some staff from the specialty insurer joined Kaenprakhamroy for the group cycle activity.

Olympic friends

Insurance Times editor Katie Scott met Olympic track cyclist and jockey Victoria Pendleton at Ageas UK’s dinner event on 15 May 2024. Pendleton, who is now retired from professional cycling, has two Olympic gold medals and one silver. She also has World, European and Commonwealth accolades to her name.

Pendleton is not a complete stranger to the characters of the insurance industry – she told dinner attendees that she had previously bought a horse from Ardonagh Retail’s chief executive Ian Donaldson.

Paw-sing for breath

Biba brought back its wellness zone for 2024’s conference, which included the opportunity to play with black labrador puppies, get a massage or have reflexology.

Terrific totes 

This year, Insurance Times rolled out some stylish tote bags branded with the publication’s iconic red and black logo. 

The must-have bags, which included the publication’s May 2024 edition, were available from the brand’s stand – A50. They were modelled by members of the commercial, subscriptions and editorial teams.

Young Broker of the Year

Aon UK’s cyber and technology errors and omissions broker Ethan Godlieb was named as the Oliver Rose Biba Young Broker of the Year 2024 at Biba’s 2024 conference.

This award recognises the performance, contribution and future potential of younger brokers aged 35 or younger, as well as encourages commitment to the future professionalism of insurance broking.

Last year, the award was renamed in memory of Oliver Rose, who passed away in March 2023. He won the award in 2016 for his contributions to the sector.