There’s always something happening in the insurance industry but even with that information to hand, it seems that the last few weeks have been particularly foundational for insurance professionals. So, what did you opt to read about during that precious morning coffee break?
Maybe about the Ministry of Justice’s beautifully, bizarrely ill-timed go-live of the Whiplash Reforms portal on a national bank holiday. Or perhaps about the FCA’s announcement regarding its general insurance price walking ban? And of course, these significant events played out against the customary carousel backdrop of a steady stream of major acquisitions and senior industry figure moves, each seemingly more significant than the last.
Yet of all the stories to hit the headlines recently, there have been two standouts for me – the posthumous recognition of Keith Frampton of Forces Insurance at BIBA’s 2021 Conference and the moving tributes to industry stalwart Paul Kempton of Sennocke International Insurance Services, who passed away recently. The truth is that it can be easy to talk about insurance being a “people business” and easier still for somebody like myself to write about that without ever pausing to reflect on what that really means.
The reaction to the passing away of such people who have dedicated their lives to serving the true ethos of insurance – to protect people in their hour of need – gives an organic and meaningful sense of what lies at the heart of that expression. The regaling of stories and anecdotes, both humorous and touching, the outpouring of real grief and, most importantly, the shared gratitude for the days shared with these individuals is, I feel, a proof point of the rich internal life of the profession.
My haphazard musings on the above were given more food for thought during a recent conversation I enjoyed with Ecclesiastical’s Chris Pitt who introduced me to the charity ‘Move the Masses’. This organisation, which was supported last year by the Movement for Good awards, aims to encourage people to improve their wellbeing through exercise, and supports elderly or less-abled people in getting out and about and forming friendships with other members of their locale.
While reading more about the initiative, my thoughts turned to Paul Kempton and Keith Frampton and all the many warm homages to departed professionals I have seen on social media. From these posts, it is clear that these individuals were supported, cared for and incredibly appreciated by their family, their friends and their colleagues. And then, in turn, I thought about all the elderly men and women who have nobody to tell their stories to, and nobody to provide them with even the most basic companionship.
There is no denying that the elder members of our society have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID crisis and the events of the last year or so, and the impact of the loneliness and isolation many have endured is becoming clearer, and the prognosis is appalling. The human element of this makes the plight of these people an answerable, actionable call to arms for each of us to become more involved with caring for those in their twilight years.
But there’s another element to this as well. Because this is insurance - a profession that prides itself on having a people culture, on committing to professionalism and, crucially, on caring for the needs of the people who make up the communities it serves. This is an opportunity for insurance professionals to roll up their sleeves and take action and, in doing so, prove their dedication not just to their direct clients but also wider communities.
There’s so much value in reaching a hand out in this way. Taking insurance broking as an example, the need to attract and retain new talent has been highlighted as key to the future of the broking profession. Who could possibly serve as a better example of the joy to be found in an insurance career than some dynamic, intelligent former broker who would never have stayed in the profession if it didn’t match up to their high expectations?
For younger brokers who have yet to experience a hard market, imagine the value in speaking to somebody who has been on that particular merry-go-round more than once? For brokers who have never had to push through a global crisis or recession, the advice such people have to offer is literally invaluable. Plus, there’s no doubt you’ll get to hear some brilliant stories too.
Of course, the above is all centred on the idea that you should be looking to form a friendship with former insurance professionals exclusively and the reality is that there are valuable insights to be had from just about anybody, whatever their profession or lack thereof. From lessons on how to survive and thrive through times of crisis, or how to manage stress, or simply a lived confirmation of how that thing you’re kicking yourself about today really won’t matter, even to you, soon enough.
My own recent experience of putting thoughts into action didn’t involve an insurance professional but rather somebody I used to work with from another life. Having reached out to them, I am beyond grateful that I did - and so I am eager to share this message with you.
Can you think of any older member of your team who might have retired shortly after you joined? Or of any older people you might have worked with in previous roles? Or really of anyone who might be having a tougher time than most during this tumultuous year? If the answer is ‘yes’ then, when you can find the time, it would be a lovely gesture to get in touch and find out how they are keeping.
And, if the answer is ‘no’, then I can guarantee two things – one, there is somebody in your local community who would value that contact with you and two, you will not regret the decision to reach out to them.
