Join us at the World's largest insurance broking event

14 May 2025, 10:20 am

Harriet Harman KC

Harriet Harman KC was MP for the diverse inner-city constituency of Camberwell and Peckham from 1982 - 2024. Joining a House of Commons which was 97 per cent male, she has been politics’ most prominent champion for women’s rights, in a parliamentary career which spanned more than four decades. She had three children while an MP. Harriet was the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party from 2007-2015 and was the Shadow Deputy Prime Minister in 2010-2015. She has twice served as Interim Leader of the Labour Party in 2010 and 2015. She was the first woman Labour politician to answer Prime Minister’s Questions. In 2017, Harriet became the Mother of the House of Commons, the UK’s longest serving woman MP. Harriet chaired the House of Commons Privileges Committee inquiry which found in 2023 that the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson misled Parliament over “party gate” In 2024 she was appointed to the House of Lords as a life Peer. She is Chair of The Fawcett Society, the UK's leading charity campaigning for women's rights. On behalf of the Bar Council she is leading an independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment in the barristers’ profession. As a senior British politician, Harriet held key cabinet positions under Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. She served as Leader of the House of Commons and was instrumental in advancing equality legislation as the architect of the landmark Equality Act. Her ministerial roles included Solicitor General and Minister at the Department for Constitutional Affairs. Harriet is also the UK Government’s Global Envoy for Women and Girls, championing gender equality on the international stage.

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Beyond the heavyweight title

14 May 2025, 10:20 am

Anthony Joshua OBE

Anthony Joshua is a British professional boxer and is a former 2x Heavyweight World Champion. He is one of the best heavyweights of his generation and has amassed a professional boxing record 28 wins and 4 losses with 25KO victories. Born in 1989 to Nigerian parents, he spent the vast majority of his childhood growing up in Watford where he was a skilled athlete, excelling in football and athletics as a schoolboy. He found boxing aged 18 and 4 years later, he was representing Great Britain and was crowned Olympic Champion at the London 2012 Games. He then turned professional a year later and became World Champion in 16 fights before headlining famous sporting venues such as Wembley Stadium, Principality Stadium, Madison Square Garden and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as well as boxing in Saudi Arabia multiple times regularly in World Championship fights. Outside of the ring, Anthony has been one of the most marketable people in the sports sphere and continues to be a household name in the UK. He currently holds an OBE which he was awarded by Queen Elizabeth. He has created a business empire that is involved in athlete management, marketing, merchandise, property, investments, charity amongst other industries respectively. In his spare time, he enjoys chess, watching documentaries and spending time with his family.

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15 May 2025, 09:45 am

Penny Mordaunt

Penny Mordaunt was a Parliamentarian for 14 years, holding nine ministerial roles, four in Cabinet. She was the first and only woman to be Secretary of State for Defence, having also been the first and only woman to be Minister for the Armed Forces. As Paymaster General she was the UK’s first cross-government defensive cyber lead and led the rebuild of the UK’s civil contingencies and resilience strategy. She was Secretary of State for International Development, working with UN agencies, international organisations and she was the UK’s representative at the World Bank. As Trade Minister she brokered new trade deals, oversaw the UK’s accession to CPTPP and established economic agreements with US states, in lieu of a federal deal. In doing so she undertook the longest tour of the US of any Minister since Churchill during WWII. She was also on the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee overseeing the UK’s exit from the EU. She has held other roles in local government, work, health, pensions and disability. Prior to Parliament she worked across all sectors and also in US politics as Head of Foreign Press for the RNC during the Bush 2000 campaign. She was a Royal Navy Reservist for 10 years and is now an Honorary Captain affiliated to MCM2 Squadron, the UK’s mine hunters and bomb disposal divers. She is co-author of Greater: Britain after the storm, which made bestseller lists in the UK and the US. She came to the public’s attention in the role of Leader of the Commons and Lord President of the Council, presiding over the Accession Council following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and at the coronation of King Charles III. She was among Gracia and Vogue’s most influential women of the year. She now works in Defence, Development and philanthropy.

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Back of the Net: Leadership That Scores Big

14 May 2025, 10:20 am

Sir Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate is the former England men's senior team Head Coach, overseeing a period of unprecedented success on the field, and seismic change off it, in the 8 years of his tenure from 2016 to 2024 During his spell as the Three Lions boss, the England team achieved back to back UEFA European Championships finals, as well as reaching the Quarter and Semi Finals of successive FIFA World Cups. In doing so he holds the record for winning more major tournament games than any other England Manager in history. He has also represented England in more games than any Englishman in history, with 102 as Manager (only the 3rd Manager to exceed 100), 57 as a player and 37 as the men’s U21 Head Coach, spanning a total of 196 games. He is a former winning Club Captain with a distinguished playing career spanning over 500 games for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, where he was appointment Manager in 2006, the youngest in the history of the Premier League at the time. Southgate’s unparalleled leadership qualities were put to use when he took over England after one of the worst periods in the National teams history after they were eliminated in the round of 16 at Euro 2016 by Iceland to ridicule and derision. Southgate oversaw a complete rebuild of the identity, culture, professionalism, behaviour, teamwork and ethos of the team, generating pride and joy in playing for England with a teamwork, humility and resolve that built trust with the media and connected the team to millions of fans. In doing so he turned the Head Coach role from a poisoned chalice to a source of opportunity and pride, making the often regarded “impossible job” possible. Despite his achievements on the field, however, it was his leadership off the field, during a period of global change and political turmoil, that won him the biggest accolades. He became an articulate spokesperson and figurehead for the country during the Covid 19 pandemic, Brexit, and a global debate on racial and gender inequality. His dignified, intelligent, and authentic response as a spokesperson for players, fans and the country as a whole, was universally applauded. He became a source of National pride and an international ambassador for the country wherever he travelled. Many regarded his position as second only to that of the Prime Minister in terms of profile and influence. His decision to stand down after Euro 24 lead to a wave of gratitude from fans, the media, global stakeholders and players as well as world famous figures from politics, business, academia, religion and entertainment. Gareth is a world class public speaker on leadership and service, building culture and resilience, team ship, change management and many other facets of high performance. He has countless lessons on optimising decision making, building belief, managing pressure, developing talent and staying true to your purpose. Away from football, Gareth is an international ambassador for the Kings Trust, military charity Help4 Heroes, and his local children’s hospice Martins House, raising many £millions for these and many others. His role with England and cultural importance to the country inspired the award- winning and sell out West End play “Dear England”, the title of which was taken from an open letter he wrote to England fans during the Covid-19 pandemic. By critical acclaim and popular demand it is returning to the West End in 2025, and has been adapted by the BBC into a screen play which will also be aired in 2025. He is a best selling author of his first children’s book “Anything is Possible” (all proceeds of which he donated to charity) and his new book “Dear England: Lessons on Leadership” will be published on 6 November 2025, with a documentary charting his journey scheduled for 2026. Gareth has won BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year twice and has been awarded an OBE for his services to football, as well as receiving the ultimate accolade in the 2024 New Years Hour List where he was knighted for his unifying service to his country.

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15 May 2025, 02:35 pm

Clive Myrie

One of the BBC’s most experienced foreign correspondents, Clive Myrie anchors the BBC News Channel and presents bulletins on BBC One. He has made features and programmes for Panorama, Newsnight and Radio 4, and is the host of the long running quiz show Mastermind. Clive is a fan of the Arts & music, and regularly hosts The BBC Proms. He has also made documentaries on jazz for Radio 2 and Jazz FM. He presented the main BBC One bulletins live from Kyiv during the war in Ukraine. Clive also presented the documentary, The Crown Jewels for BBC1, which was screened as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. His travel series Clive Myrie’s Italian Roadtrip, was a hit on BBC2, and one of the most popular shows on the BBC. First posted to Japan after becoming BBC’s foreign correspondent, Clive then held posts as Washington correspondent, covering the administrations of three US presidents, six US presidential elections and the impeachment of Bill Clinton. He has also served as the BBC’s Africa, Asia and Europe Correspondent and was part of the BBC’s presenting team covering the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the former Yugoslavia. Having covered everything from Theresa May’s resignation to ETA’s ceasefire declaration and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Clive has won the prestigious Peabody Award, the broadcast equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. Clive has reported from more than eighty countries over the last twenty years. He has presented a number of BBC documentaries, including a special on the life of Barack Obama and the acclaimed Mexico's Streets of Blood. He has appeared on Have I Got News For You, Richard Osman’s House of Games and even had a fleeting appearance in the Alan Partridge film, Alpha Papa. In his book Everything is Everything: A Memoir of Love, Hate & Hope, Clive reflects on how being black has affected his perspective on issues he's encountered in thirty years of reporting, and shows how those experiences gave him a better idea of what it means to be an outsider.

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A New Era for Business: Innovation, Strategy & Resilience

Jo Fairley

Jo Fairley is co-founder of Green & Black’s. She and her entrepreneur husband set out to market the world’s first organic chocolate, deciding on ‘green’ to represent their environmental ethos and ‘black’ to reflect particularly high quality cocoa beans. Jo was among the first to highlight the social responsibility of food producers. Green & Black’s immediately picked up awards for entrepreneurial and ethical achievement, and the fortunes of the Maya Indians in Belize who grow the cocoa have been transformed. Jo tells how 20,000 young people carrying flaming torches lobbied supermarkets to stock Maya Gold - generating valuable news coverage. But they also had plenty of white knuckle moments. What happens when cocoa beans are stuck in a volatile tropical country, the port blockaded, and your major retailer is threatening de-listing unless the consignment is delivered on time? Jo’s presentations show the determination needed and the risks involved in building a business and exploiting a niche market. She also demonstrates the power of branding, how business can be both ethical and highly successful, and why you should never underestimate the intelligence of the consumer. Jo Fairley is author of more than a dozen books, including the Green Beauty Bible. She has also been Contributing Editor on YOU Magazine and chair of a Soil Association committee.

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14 May 2025, 03:05 pm

A New Era for Business: Innovation, Strategy & Resilience

Richard Susskind

Professor Richard Susskind OBE KC (Hon) is Special Envoy for Justice and AI to the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and is also President of the Society for Computers and Law. Previously, he served for 25 years as Technology Adviser to the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. He is an independent adviser to international firms and national governments and the author of 11 books and more than 150 columns for The Times of London. His work has been translated into 18 languages. Richard is a leading expert in two fields – on the future of professional services and on the impact of AI. On the professions, in collaboration with his son Daniel, Richard is also the co-author of The Future of the Professions: How Technology Will Transform the Work of Human Experts (2015, 2022). This was a Financial Times Book of the Year and sets out two futures for the professions. Both rest of technology. One is reassuringly familiar – it is a more efficient version of what we have today. The second is transformational – a gradual replacement of professionals by increasingly capable systems. Richard is the world’s most cited author on the future of legal services, best known in this area for his books Tomorrow’s Lawyers (2013, 2017, 2023) and The End of Lawyers? (2008). His work on AI dates back to the 1980s when he wrote his PhD at Oxford University on AI and law, and went on to codevelop the world’s first commercial AI system for lawyers. His focus on AI has partly been on the use of AI in professional work. More recently, he has widened his interest and worked on the impact more generally of AI on society and the economy. He demystifies AI by focusing on what AI systems do rather than how they do it, and by addressing some of the big issues – the business, risk, legal, ethical, management, and philosophical implications. This approach is captured in his upcoming book How To Think About AI: A Guide for the Perplexed which is appearing in early 2025. Richard holds professorships at Oxford University, Gresham College London, and the University of Strathclyde. He is Fellow of the British Computer Society and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

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14 May 2025, 03:05 pm

A New Era for Business: Innovation, Strategy & Resilience

Piers Linney

Piers Linney is an entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for business. With a diverse background in law, corporate finance, and investment banking, he is known primarily for his time as a Dragon on Dragons’ Den , as well as his appearance on Channel 4's Secret Millionaire, where he worked inside a Young Offenders' Institution. After qualifying as a lawyer specialising in corporate finance and venture capital, Piers moved into investment banking at Credit Suisse before founding a dotcom business. He later became CEO of a corporate finance firm that raised capital for technology start-ups and SMEs and went on to become a partner at a hedge fund focusing on structured debt and equity. A serial entrepreneur, Piers has founded several technology and communication businesses, winning numerous awards, including Entrepreneur of the Year at the inaugural Black British Business Awards. He has served on various high-profile boards, including TechUK and the British Business Bank, which has provided over £12bn in financing to UK SMEs. Piers was also a trustee of Nesta, the UK’s leading innovation foundation, where he gained valuable insights into the future of business and economics. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Black Britons and a leading ethnic minority executive by The Financial Times, Piers is a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion on company boards and in the workplace. Through his #ScaleUp initiative, he offers practical advice to entrepreneurs and business owners with growth ambitions.

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14 May 2025, 03:05 pm

Caroline Barr

Caroline is an independent Non Executive Director of both BlackRock Life and BIBA. She currently represents BIBA members on the Government’s Financial Inclusion Access to Insurance sub-committee and has led BIBA’s Access committee since 2020. Formerly, Caroline was a member of the FCA Financial Services Consumer Panel, advising the FCA on consumer issues in retail financial services, specialising in insurance, credit, and SMEs and consumers of financial services. She was a senior policy advisor at HM Treasury before leading the DTI spending team.

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A New Era for Business: Innovation, Strategy & Resilience

14 May 2025, 11:25 am

Rob Worrell

Rob was appointed CEO of Ardonagh’s Advisory (now Everywhen) platform in December 2017, comprising four quadrants - Networks, General Insurance, Employee Benefits and MGA’s. Prior to this, Rob was a founding partner of The Insurance Partnership (1993), and CEO of Jelf GI (2015) following its acquisition by Marsh. Outside of insurance, Rob has an active and varied business portfolio.

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14 May 2025, 03:05 pm

Megha Kumar

Dr Megha Kumar is Chief Product Officer and Head of Geopolitical Risk at the global cyber consultancy CyXcel, which is a Weightmans business. She brings over 14 years’ experience in advising C-Suite decision-makers in Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies on digital resilience, AI and geopolitics of tech. Within the public sector, she has worked extensively with major governments on national policy and regulations, and various international bodies, including the United Nations, IMF, NATO and the World Bank. Prior to joining CyXcel in 2024, Megha held senior leadership positions at the pioneering geopolitical risk consultancy Oxford Analytica, where she established and led the firm’s Cybersecurity and Technology Practice for over seven years. She has lectured in history and politics at the University of Oxford, and was a journalist at two major Indian broadsheets. She holds a doctorate from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.

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Young Broker Day

15 May 2025, 10:20 am

John Warburton

John Warburton is the co-founder and CEO of chartered insurance broker Konsileo. Launched in 2017, Konsileo now employs over 150 people across the UK and specialises in mid-market and corporate risk and insurance advice. John has over 25 years’ international insurance and consulting experience, holding senior roles at Aviva, Accenture and Allianz where he was responsible for global marketing strategy and digital initiatives. He is the co-chair of Insurtech UK and joined BIBA's large broker advisory board in 2024.

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14 May 2025, 11:25 am

Clarissa Franks

Clarissa is the Head of Retail and Partner for Lockton UK. Clarissa is a member of the Lockton Europe Executive Committee where she also has responsibility for Lockton Ireland and Lockton’s Risk Practices team. Lockton’s Retail team leads on bespoke service, risk management and placement solutions for commercial insurance buyers. Clarissa previously held a variety of senior leadership roles in Marsh, her most recent role was as Retail Placement Leader and member of Marsh UK Operating Committee. Clarissa was named as a 2022 Business Insurance EMEA Women to Watch honoree.

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14 May 2025, 11:25 am

Alistair Fraser

Alistair is the International Leader for Marsh’s Commercial & Corporate business where he is responsible driving strategy, execution, and overall growth for these segments across the International Division of Marsh. He is a member of the International Executive Committee. He started his career in 1995 in London and has 30 years experience in the industry. Alistair joined Marsh 17 years ago and has held various roles in the UK, including his last role as CEO of the UK Corporate & Commercial business. In addition he has held roles for Marsh in Asia, Head of Sales for Asia and also CEO for Marsh and Chief Country Officer for Marsh McLennan in Indonesia. Alistair holds a BA(Hons) in Financial Services from West of England University, Bristol, and is CII qualified.

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14 May 2025, 11:25 am

Rachel Lam

Rachel was appointed Ombudsman Director for Insurance in January 2023. She leads a directorate responsible for all insurance, investment and pensions complaints at the Financial Ombudsman Service, working with Ombudsman Leaders to form the Financial Ombudsman’s approach on these complaints. Rachel has been at the Financial Ombudsman Service for 12 years, working across insurance for the past seven, and more recently across pensions, investments and mortgages, and before then leading transformation at the service. Previously Rachel worked in government and across a range of policy roles at the Home Office, Department of Education and Department for Work and Pensions.

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15 May 2025, 10:55 am

Peter Blanc

Peter Blanc ACII is Head of M&A, Howden Group Holdings. Peter is passionate about helping Howden Group become the leading independent global (re)insurance broker, employee benefits advisor and MGA. Peter has made over 100 acquisitions of insurance broking and MGA businesses and has led three private equity exits totalling over £1.5 billion. Peter also served as non-exec chairman of Hastings Insurance Services Ltd, was chairman of the Large Brokers’ Advisory Board at the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) and served as president of the Chartered Insurance Institute in 2022.

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Broker Choices

14 May 2025, 02:00 pm

Waseem Malik

Waseem is currently the Chief Claims Officer for Aviva’s UK General Insurance business and was appointed to this role in March 2022. Waseem is a qualified Chartered Accountant and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. He is also an Independent Director for Kings College London, a NED for the Motor Insurers Bureau where he also chairs the Audit & Risk Committee and is also a Board Trustee of Barnardo's. He has previously held NED roles at Thatcham Research and the Insurance Fraud Bureau. Prior to this, Waseem was at AXA Insurance for 16 years most recently serving as the Executive Managing Director, Claims and was appointed to this role in April 2018. He was previously the Chief Financial Officer of AXA Insurance and before that held a number of Finance Director roles in the business. He was also previously the Head of Mergers & Acquisitions for AXA UK. Waseem started his career at PwC where he spent 9 years and specialised in Financial Services Transactions.

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Insurance Capacity for the New Era

15 May 2025, 10:55 am

Sarah Chadburn

Executive Director for One Call Insurance Services Limited and the One Call Group, with over 25 (closer to 30) years’ insurance experience, she brings a wealth of expertise to her roles in broking, insurer and claims. Sarah is a well-respected, vital member of the One Call Group with a proven history of increasing productivity and embracing demanding situations. Sarah has a keen eye and passion for customer experience, policyholder protection and industry best practice. Other roles include BIBA Yorkshire & Northern Regional committee Chair.

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14 May 2025, 12:15 pm

Michael Gregory

Michael is RSA’s Director of Underwriting Strategy for UK & International. He has been with RSA for 6 years, with his team owning underwriting appetite, portfolio advisory, emerging risk analysis, climate underwriting, and strategic opportunity identification. Michael has over a decade’s experience in leading technical, portfolio and strategy teams across Asia-Pacific and European insurance markets, as well as across a wide range of insurance disciplines – SME, Commercial, Corporate and Specialty. Professionally, he’s been recognised with industry scholarships for his thought-leading contribution to the industry and is a 2023 Association of British Insurers Future Leader.

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Insurance Capacity for the New Era

14 May 2025, 12:15 pm

Richard Napoli

Richard is the Claims & Legal Services Director at Markel UK, a qualified solicitor with 15 years in the insurance industry. Richard is responsible for the people, policy and processes across Markel UK’s claims function and Markel’s ABS law firm, Markel Law. Richard is the Chair of the Claims Community Board at the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), the leading professional body for the insurance and financial planning sector.

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15 May 2025, 10:55 am

Katie Freemantle

Katie Freemantle is Managing Director of FSB Insurance Service, a commercial insurance advisory business which she was instrumental in setting up from scratch in 2017. FSBIS is part owned by the Federation of Small Businesses and focuses purely on the commercial insurance needs of SMEs. With approaching 20 years’ experience, she has previously been a BIBA Young Broker of the Year finalist and currently sits on BIBA’s SME Broker Advisory Board. She is also an active member of the Bravo Networks senior member forum. She is a strong advocate for the availability of good quality advice for smaller firms.

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15 May 2025, 11:45 am

Bruce Hepburn

Bruce is the Chief Executive and founder of Mactavish, the UK’s leading independent outsourced buyer of insurance and claims management expert. The business publishes widely acclaimed research into the commercial and corporate insurance landscapes and works for policyholders to deliver improved insurance solutions through brokers. Mactavish was closely involved with the project to reform commercial insurance law in the UK and is unique in its focus on establishing placement and legal standards across the insurance industry which will work for all parties. Leading the business through every phase of its development, stretching over two decades, Bruce is involved in all aspects of Mactavish’s work.

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Brokers & insurers - The secret ingredient for a great career

15 May 2025, 10:55 am

Yasmin Carter-Esdale

Yasmin has worked in the insurance industry for the past 14 years, having held previous positions at specialist insurer Hiscox and global broker Gallagher. In 2022, she secured funding from LinkedIn to launch ELEV822, the first insurance-specific LinkedIn development programme. The initiative helps professionals leverage the platform to enhance their personal brand and strengthen trading relationships with brokers, underwriters, and other stakeholders. Yasmin is currently the Deputy Chair of the CII Underwriting Community supporting over 9,000 underwriters globally. She also volunteers as Partnerships Lead at iCAN (Insurance Cultural Awareness Network), an organization with over 10,000 members that runs key initiatives to drive change within the insurance profession.

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15 May 2025, 09:25 am

Andrew Gibbons

Andrew is the MD of Mason Owen Financial Services Ltd (MOFS), a commercial insurance broker in Liverpool. He is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute and a Chartered Insurance Broker, leading a management buyout in 2022. He joined Provincial Insurance in 1987, which became AXA Insurance, and later joined MOFS. Andrew chaired the BIBA Smaller Brokers Advisory Board (SBAB) from 2015 to 2020 and served on the main BIBA board. He has been the Chair of the Industry Claims Working Group for the past 13 years.

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15 May 2025, 10:55 am

Laura Hancock

Laura has been in the profession for over 25 years. Having worked for a large insurer and a large national broker, she now runs independent, Chartered insurance broker, Yutree, in Suffolk with her co-directors and team. Laura has held the role of Chair of the Anglia Region of BIBA, Chair of the Regional Chairs Advisory Board for BIBA as well as Deputy Chair on the BIBA main board. Laura now chairs the CII’s Broking Community and BIBA’s Insurance Technology and Innovation Committee and is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in insurance, raising standards in broking and attracting and retaining talent in the profession.

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Broker Choices

14 May 2025, 02:00 pm

David Sparkes

David joined BIBA’s main Board in August 2023 after being appointed Regulation Director. He has more than 40 years of experience in the insurance industry and since 2002 has focused on insurance broking compliance. During that time David led a group's firms through FSA authorisation, as well as providing technical compliance advice to over 150 firms, from the international to the very small, on UK regulations. Joining BIBA in 2013, he brought a 'regulatory mindset' to his role, having spent a number of years at the Financial Services Authority.

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15 May 2025, 11:45 am

Ian Hughes

Ian believes that the key to building a sustainably profitable business is simple; see the world through the eyes of your customers. He founded Consumer Intelligence in 2003 and has dedicated the company to building confidence in Financial Services, delivering insights that benefit both consumers and businesses. An early Internet pioneer and Harvard Business School graduate, Ian speaks at conferences worldwide and writes prolifically to spread the message that customer satisfaction is the key to the future.

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AI: your questions answered

15 May 2025, 11:45 am

Shân Millie

As an independent voice of authority on AI in Financial Services, Shân has spent her professional life (which means MOST of her actual life!) doing, studying, analysing, supporting and advising on corporate innovation in Insurance and FS. Since 2018, her focus has been on the potential of AI technologies for Insurance, how it is being done in practice (including AI Governance), and intersections with regulation, including Consumer Duty. Shân says: "I know how important Young Brokers and Insurers to making those industry futures we can be proud of — as individual professionals, thriving businesses and as the trusted experts for our customers. I'm honoured to be joining YBD 2025 and talking AI."

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15 May 2025, 10:20 am

James Daley

James Daley has been a consumer campaigner and financial journalist for over 25 years. Before launching Fairer Finance in 2014, he worked for the consumer group, Which?, following a decade working as a newspaper journalist. James is frequently interviewed on national television and radio, and has regularly appeared on shows such as Watchdog, Rip-off Britain, Dispatches and Moneybox. James is a member of both the UK Finance and Association of British Insurers' Consumer Advisory Groups. He is also a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute's professional standards committee.

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Brokers & insurers - The secret ingredient for a great career

15 May 2025, 11:45 am

Julie Comer

Julie joined BIBA as the Head of Compliance in March 2024 and is passionate about helping members with all regulatory related enquiries. She is responsible for hosting the Regional Compliance Forums and discussing relevant topics with the FCA and other regulatory bodies. Her mantra is to help and support members by deciphering rules and regulations, making them easier to understand. Having previously worked in the general insurance and financial services sector for 35 years, much of her career and experience has been in the world of compliance and regulation, spending the last 20 years looking after risk and compliance for a large intermediary in Somerset which involved developing and implementing policies and procedures, FCA authorisations and providing technical advice and guidance to the different branches within the group.

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A New Era for Regulation

15 May 2025, 01:20 pm

Michael Sicsic

Michael is a senior executive in the field of risk and regulation in financial services, with a strong focus on insurance. He has a deep understanding of business models in the insurance sector and its related risks. He founded Sicsic Advisory, a strategic regulatory and risk consultancy in 2019. Sicsic Advisory is now an established consultancy with 25+ senior consultants operating across the UK, Ireland and Gibraltar. Michael is the former head of supervision of the retail GI sector at the FCA. Formerly, he worked at Aviva as Global Operational Risk Director covering Life Insurance, Asset Management, Non-Life insurance and at GE Capital in senior risk and finance positions.

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A New Era for Regulation

15 May 2025, 01:20 pm

Rob Nicholls

Rob Nicholls is the Regional Development Director for Ardonagh Advisory – Towergate & Ethos Broking. Rob has 13 years’ experience in Commercial Insurance, developing a deep understanding of client cover, pioneering industry “firsts” and prioritises exceptional customer service to ensure client satisfaction. Rob is the BIBA Deputy Chair & Young Broker Ambassador for East Midlands Region, Nottingham Insurance Institute (NII) Young & Emerging Professionals council member, The Oliver Rose BIBA Young Broker of the Year Award Finalist in 2024 and in 2023 IBUK named Rob as one of the Top 25 Brokers in the UK.

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15 May 2025, 09:25 am

Ana Gomes-Freire

Ana recently transitioned into the world of financial lines underwriting, after 7 years as a professional risks broker. As a professional risks underwriter with the award-winning insurer Markel, Ana works to be the bridge between the broker and well rounded effective coverage for their clients. Committed to creating an industry that reflects the diversity of our communities. Ana volunteered with both the East Midlands BIBA and the Leicester CII committees, as a Deputy chair and DEI officer. In 2024 having completed her ACII qualification and became a finalist for the BIBA Young Broker of the year award. In recent years Ana has become more passionate about showcasing her tips, ideas and daily experiences of the industry in the hope of attracting new talent. Utilising channels such as LinkedIn and TikTok under the #thisinsurancegirl handle. As well as being a co-lead of the iCAN (Insurance Cultural Awareness Network) Birmingham Hub

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Paolo Cuomo

Paolo is an executive director at Gallagher Re where he heads up the Global Strategic Partnerships initiative. He joined in 2022, building on a dozen years’ experience in the London insurance market, working for Brit, Beazley, Charles Taylor and Boston Consulting Group. Paolo is a strong believer in the importance of technology for enhancing the insurance process in underwriting, claims and back-office functions. Over the past decade Paolo has launched new Lloyd’s syndicates, supported the creation of the Lloyd’s Lab, and pushed the development of the “bionic underwriter” which blends human experience and judgement with data analytics and technology-enable insight. He believes the speed and scale of AI impact in insurance and beyond will be faster than most executive are expecting. Paolo sits on the IIL’s Cyber and Tech committee, and is a Liveryman and Court Assistant of the Worshipful Company of Insurers (WCI). He sits on the WCI’s iWIN committee (Insurance Women’s Inclusivity Network) and chairs the iSUSTAIN committee, focused on insurance’s role in a just and rapid transition to a more sustainable world. Paolo spent the first decade of his career in McKinsey’s Global Business Technology Office. He holds an MEng from Imperial College London, and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology.

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AI: your questions answered

15 May 2025, 10:20 am

Joe Tracey

Joe Tracey is a growth and development specialist with over a decade of experience working with market-leading organisations. As the Lead for Cyber Development across the UK & EU at CFC, he spearheads key initiatives to expand market share and position CFC at the forefront of cyber insurance. Leveraging his strong background in commercial insurance, Joe works closely with organisations at every level, from C suite executives to frontline teams, helping to shape and optimise cyber sales and placement strategies. Throughout his career, Joe has designed and created innovative risk programmes for both SME and corporate enterprises, demonstrating a deep understanding of market expansion and sales strategy. Passionate about thought leadership, training and strategic growth, Joe is committed to advancing the cyber insurance landscape across the UK & EU.

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Julie Gibbons

Julie Gibbons is the Managing Director of AbbeyAutoline, Northern Ireland’s largest insurance broker. AbbeyAutoline was founded over 50 years ago with the business split 60% Personal/Specialty Lines and 40% Commercial Lines. Julie leads the Personal and Commercial lines teams together with an extensive branch network across Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Great Britain. Julie’s previous experience includes senior management and leadership roles within Microsoft, Dublin, Rubicon Technology in Chicago and KPMG Consulting. Julie holds an LLB in Law and French from QUB, Belfast and an MBA from the Graduate School of Business at University College Dublin.

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The value of an Insurance Broker

15 May 2025, 11:45 am

Chris Haggart

Chris became CEO of Hedron Network in January 2023 and has ultimate responsibility for the design and delivery of the network’s strategy. Prior to joining Hedron, he was Commercial Director at GRP Group (now Brown and Brown), a role in which he helped to build the UK Retail Broking business. He joined GRP in 2018 from Zurich Insurance. He is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute, holding ACII Chartered Insurer status.

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Broker Choices

14 May 2025, 02:00 pm

Edward Castles

Edward joined WTW in 1981. Initially he worked in the UK division and was responsible for all aspects of client servicing on a number of National and Global clients. He then undertook extended secondments in Mexico & the USA, occupying senior management positions. Currently leads WTW’s Retail Insurance Broking Business in the UK – the area responsible for servicing many of the UK’s largest and most complex companies, he is a Director of Willis Limited and is WTW’s representative for BIBA and a director on their board.

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Managing Director, Willis Ltd

15 May 2025, 11:45 am

Lisa Sturley

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Managing Director, Willis Ltd

15 May 2025, 11:45 am

Peter Braid

Peter Braid was appointed as CEO of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) in February 2017. As IBAC’s CEO, Peter has renewed and strengthened the organization. Peter has a diverse background in government, public service, and private industry with a track record of policy development and advocacy. He holds a BA in International Relations from the University of Toronto Peter also served for seven years as a Member of Parliament in Canada representing the riding of Kitchener-Waterloo. During his time in government, he was appointed by the Prime Minister as Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure & Communities.

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