The BIBA (British Insurance Brokers’ Association) Insurance Broker Conference held in Manchester this year was a resounding success, bringing together insurance professionals from across the UK and Guernsey for a truly engaging and informative event. Guernsey hosted a fringe event covering captive insurers and the opportunities that commercial insurance or reinsurance vehicles in Guernsey might present to insurance brokers.
Ben Davies, Client Manager at WTW, was a presenter at the fringe event and here he shares his insights of the conference
The conference, held at the Manchester Central Convention Complex, showcased the latest trends, developments, and challenges in the insurance industry.
One of the highlights of the conference was the impressive line-up of keynote speakers who shared their expertise and insights. Speakers included Alastair Campbell, Fearne Cotton, Joe Wicks, Ed Balls, Joe Wicks, George Osborne and Sir Mo Farah alongside industry leaders, renowned academics, and experts in various fields relevant to insurance brokering.
The conference also offered numerous breakout sessions and panel discussions that catered to specific areas of interest. I was pleased to be a panellist at one session hosted by Guernsey Finance ‘Guernsey Re/Insurance Set Up – Why and How?’
Stewart McLaughlin (Artex), Richard Paris Smith (SRS) and I delivered the session which showcased Guernsey as the ‘European insurance jurisdiction of choice’ and explained the role a Guernsey re/insurance vehicle can play within a client’s overall risk management programme and how this holistic approach can help brokers retain long term client relationships.
Networking opportunities played a crucial role in the conference, allowing attendees to connect with industry peers, potential partners, and clients. The Guernsey Finance stand proved popular with Nathan Hodder (BDO) and William Lewis, Guernsey Finance’s Insurance Ambassador, informing visitors to the stand of the opportunities Guernsey can provide allowing participants the chance to engage with these local professionals and gain insights into the unique challenges and successes of the Guernsey thriving insurance industry first hand.
The promotional We Are Guernsey toy cows and donkeys were without doubt a ‘smash hit’! These, and the colourful stand with the Guernsey promotional video playing in the background, attracted a steady flow of people to the Guernsey stand.
In conclusion, Guernsey Finance’s attendance at the BIBA Insurance Broker Conference in Manchester was a highly successful and engaging event for promoting the islands and its insurance industry. The thoughtfully curated content, high-profile speakers, networking opportunities, and innovative exhibition hall made it a must-attend conference for anyone in the insurance brokering industry.
