Karen Hardy, principal of Acme Insurance Brokers and last year’s winner of the Valerie Baker Memorial Award, has urged her fellow brokers to apply for the prize following her return from Lloyd’s of London.
Hardy, who won the expenses paid trip to London earlier this year, flew to the UK to be part of the Autumn Worldwide Programme on innovation and emerging risk, run by the Lloyd’s Global Development Centre, and took part in several behind-the-scenes activities at the global marketplace.
Search and compare product listings for Business Insurance from specialty market providers here
“My take home lesson is ‘everyone wants a piece of Australia,’” Hardy told
Insurance Business.
“My interactions with Lloyd’s market participants were nothing but positive. There appears to be multiple offerings by multiple providers for most classes of business without geographic exclusion. My question to my Australian counterparts is: why aren’t we exploiting this to its full capacity?”
As part of her trip, Hardy was one of 35 participants from around the world that took part in the autumn programme which highlighted new and emerging risks brokers need to be aware of for their clients.
Presentations came on topics as wide-ranging as space travel and kidnap and ransom, to environmental liability which contained some take-away lessons for all Australian brokers.
On environmental liability, Hardy said that a “brokers beware” attitude should be taken as it can no longer be considered a bolt-on or sub-limit solution.
“Exposure is never ending, enormous and mostly unexpected,” Hardy said. “Liability does not cease when properties are sold, they are lifelong exposures just waiting to bite the unsuspecting in the bottom.”
Hardy urged all those interested to apply for this year’s Valerie Baker Memorial Award as it is “the gift that keeps on giving.”
“Anyone with passion for our industry and their community should apply,” she said. “It doesn’t matter where you are located, or who you work for or are affiliated with, have a crack! The experience and contacts you will make are invaluable and will hold you in good stead for years to come.
“My journey has already reaped rewards for my clients and myself by way of the support I have received, and I have only scratched the surface.”
Related stories:
Valerie Baker award winner announced
Five Minutes With... Karen Hardy, Acme Insurance Brokers
