Biba’s regional committees ‘integral’ to broker trade body

Biba’s regional committees are an “integral and massively important part” of the broker trade body’s function.

That was according to Graeme Trudgill, chief executive of Biba. He told Insurance Times that the trade body’s regional committees “keep [Biba] in touch with member issues and activities around the UK”.

The trade body has a regional structure that consists of 13 regions, each with its own regional committee and officers. These provide nationwide reach so that issues affecting its members can be discussed at scale. 

Trudgill explained: “Our regional chairs feed into the Biba board via their own advisory board.

”Several other of our regional committees have also recently passed the reins to new leaders including South Wales appointing Ben Macrow of Archenfield Insurance Management, West Midlands bringing on Angela Irvine of the Bletchley Group and Gary Ward of Broadway Insurance Brokers taking the chair in Greater Manchester.”

It followed Ola Jacob, director of business development of MGA Descartes Underwriting, being named Biba committee chair for London and Southeast (L&SE) last month (15 February 2024).

Transforming the industry

Jacob has worked with Biba for several years, having previously been runner up to Biba’s Young Broker of the Year award in 2021.

He subsequently went on to become a judge for this accolade, which recognises the performance and contributions of young brokers under the age of 35 years.

Jacob said: “We are transforming the image of our industry because we are an essential part of what makes the world work for example through hybrid parametric/indemnity insurance, which offers businesses the best of both worlds.

“We will only be able to transform our industry if we attract the best talent and for that reason, the L&SE Committee now has a major focus on leading Biba’s new school careers programme. I really believe that it’s important to raise awareness of careers in insurance for the benefit of both our industry and the students; we can really make a difference.

“These local students are an untapped talent pool, and we want to give them every opportunity to experience the benefits of a career in insurance, like I have done.”

Trudgill explained that Jacob had worked with Biba for a number of years and “when the focus of our L&SE committee turned to promoting careers in insurance, the enthusiasm and energy he offered to the project meant he was great choice for chair”.