There is a new name at the helm of LIIBA – and it’s an established face from Marsh who is taking the hotseat.
Roy White (pictured) has today been announced as the chairman of the London & International Insurance Brokers’ Association, having previously been vice chairman for three years. White, who is the chairman of UK specialties at Marsh, takes the position from Andrew Agnew of Arthur J Gallagher Ltd and is set for a two-year term.
“I am honoured to be taking on this role at what is such a pivotal time for the insurance industry,” he said. “LIIBA’s mission is to ensure that London remains where the world wants to do business by improving its competitive position and, as chair, I will continue to champion our key priorities.”
What are those key priorities? According to White, making London an “easier place to do business” will be critical.
“We need to reduce our reliance on paper, while maintaining face-to-face negotiations with insurers for which this market is renowned,” he said. “A key part of this is embracing electronic placement, and we are determined to see PPL become the predominant distribution tool in the market by the start of 2019. I and the entire board are committed to ensuring that adoption levels grow significantly across the market.”
Meanwhile, forging a path for the industry with Brexit looming is also high on the incoming chair’s agenda.
“The clock is ticking in terms of Brexit,” he explained. “Our imperative is to ensure that the flow of business into London can continue whatever the outcome of the negotiations, and brokers are able to make the right contingency plans to protect the interests of their clients.
“The news of the 21-month transition period is to be welcomed; it provides additional preparation and negotiation time during which to secure the post-exit terms and find a solution for contract continuity – so that clients with policies in play as the UK leaves the EU are not disadvantaged. We will continue to lobby the UK government and regulators, and in the 27 countries that will remain part of the EU, to try and achieve the best possible trade agreement for our clients.”
