Moderator’s View

What is the future of broking? Does it have one? And in whose hands is that future?

Are insurers and brokers ‘in it’ together? Or not?

In 2012, and behind closed doors, Insurance Times has been talking candidly with a small group of people who sit at the helm of some of the biggest national brokers in the UK, through our new Broker 50 group. The insight we’ve gained and shared with these broker leaders has convinced us that some of the industry’s most critical issues remain undiscussed and unresolved and, therefore, unchanged. It is time to change that.

Insurance Times is bringing the industry together in one innovative and concentrated half day of debate, discussion and predictions. Innovative because, as well as an invite-only audience on the day, the whole industry will be able to participate through live online debate that will include opinions and views being captured in real time through social media.

Proposers

Matthew Reed, Managing Director - Commercial Intermediary & Direct, AXA

11.30 – Debate 1 | Statement: Brokers must embrace e-trading to survive

Insurance is Matthew’s second career having previously spent 12 years travelling the world with the Royal Navy and then working for the United Nations in Sierra Leone.

Following his return to the UK, Matthew joined broking group Howden in 2002. He worked his way up the group to become director of sales and marketing at its parent, Hyperion.

He joined Towergate in October 2008 as Sales and Marketing Director of their Broking Division and was responsible for Marketing, e-commerce, CRM and Product Development.

Following his 12 months at Towergate, Matthew joined Powerplace as their CEO and led the business for 18 months.

Matthew joined AXA Commercial Lines in August 2011 as Managing Director of Intermediary, primarily focussing on enabling AXA Commercial Lines’ branches to trade more effectively with their local customers.

Matthew is a keen cyclist, and has previously completed the L’Etape du Tour, which he is taking part in again in 2012 in aid of Help the Hospices. The tour sees cyclists compete in one of the toughest stages from the Tour de France.

Alasdair Stewart, Marketing and Communications Director, AXA

13.00 – Debate 2 | Statement: Professionalism is a must for all brokers seeking a competitive edge

Prior to joining the insurance industry Alasdair worked at Arla Foods Ingredients in Denmark where he had responsibility for marketing and communications.

He joined Independent Insurance in 1998 and subsequently AXA in 2001, Alasdair was responsible for developing e-Commerce strategies for both organisations and managing implementation.

In 2002 Alasdair took the position of Business Development Director at Aurora Corporate Services, an insurance TPA, and following its successful sale in 2004, he moved to FWD Marketing where he was a Senior Consultant.

Alasdair joined the CII in December 2008, he had overall responsibility for Corporate Relationships within GI and managed the business development team.

In May 2011 Alasdair joined AXA as Commercial Director. He has responsibility for Marketing, Product Development and Market propositions.