Men’s Mental Health Breakfast
The Men's Mental Health Breakfast is sponsored by
New for 2026!
Join us for a powerful start to Day 2 of The BIBA Conference 2026 with the launch of our Men’s Mental Health Breakfast, sponsored by Markel. This event is open to men in the industry and this new initiative shines a spotlight on mental wellbeing within the insurance community, creating space for honest conversations, shared experiences and practical support.
This uplifting morning event brings together industry professionals for a welcoming breakfast session featuring ANDYSMANCLUB. We are also delighted to present Peter Crouch, football Presenter and Podcaster who will speak candidly on his experiences in an exclusive fireside chat.
Whether you’re attending for inspiration, connection or to learn how to better support colleagues and loved ones, this breakfast session promises to be an empowering and meaningful part of your Conference experience.
Together, we can open up conversations, inspire change and support men’s mental health together.
Thursday 14 May
08:30
Arrival & Coffee
Session details:
08:40
Introduction from Graeme Trudgill
Graeme Trudgill, BIBA Chief Executive will give a warm introduction to BIBA's first Men's Mental Health Breakfast at #BIBA2026. He will be highlighting the importance of cultivating safe spaces for open conversation about mental wellbeing.

Graeme Trudgill
Graeme Trudgill
Graeme was appointed CEO in July 2023. Prior to this he was BIBA’s Executive Director for ten years when he joined the main board of BIBA and led the BIBA policy team that incorporates corporate affairs, technical services and communications. He is personally responsible for BIBA’s public affairs lobby with government, has provided written and oral evidence to the House of Commons and the House of Lords and is the author of the annual BIBA manifesto. Prior to joining BIBA Graeme was a general insurance broker between 1989 and 2001. Graeme’s knowledge of insurance and the sector is wide-ranging, and he appears regularly as a source of expertise in the media where he promotes the benefits of using a broker. He sits on the main board of the Employers’ Liability Tracing Office, the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities: Building Safety Programme Market Assurance Group, the MOD Financial Services Steering Group and the Chartered Insurance Institute’s Society of Insurance Broking, as well as BIBA’s Insurance Brokers’ Standards Committee. He has also participated on the CBI Trade Association Council and Insurance Fraud Taskforce. As a strong advocate of expanding access to insurance, Graeme sits on the Insurance Disability Champion’s Access to Insurance Steering Group and the BIBA Access to Insurance cross-sector committee. Graeme is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute and a Chartered Insurance Practitioner.
Session details:
08:45
Welcome from Markel
Join us for a warm welcome from Markel, sponsors of the Men's Mental Health Breakfast. Together we invite you to an open and uplifting morning focused on men’s mental health.

Session details:
08:50
Peter Crouch fireside chat
Known for his honesty and down‑to‑earth outlook, Peter Crouch sits down with Markel for an open interview on mental health. Peter shares personal reflections on resilience, pressure, and the importance of speaking openly. This session hopes to shine a light on breaking stigma and creating space for real conversations that support men’s wellbeing.

Peter Crouch
Peter Crouch
Peter Crouch is one of the best-known and loved football presenters in the country. Former Liverpool, Spurs and England striker, he played 42 times for England including appearances at the World Cup. He is known for his sharp wit, engaging storytelling, and 19-year top-flight career. He offers insights on peak performance, teamwork, and football, delivered with humour and personality. As host of one of the UK's top podcasts, "That Peter Crouch Podcast", is also a successful author having released three best-selling football books.
Session details:
09:10
Luke Ambler, ANDYSMANCLUB
ANDYSMANCLUB is a men’s suicide‑prevention charity providing free, peer‑to‑peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. Their mission is to break down the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and to support men through the power of open, honest conversation.
#ITSOKAYTOTALK
We’re pleased to welcome Luke Ambler, co‑founder and chair of ANDYSMANCLUB.

Luke Ambler
Luke Ambler
After the tragic loss of my brother-in-law in 2016 myself and Andy’s mum Elaine wanted to prevent other families from going through what we have. The idea was that to stop families going through this you had to help guys and the idea of #ThatOneMan was born. For me it always has been and always will be about finding that one man. I know that our groups are not for everyone but all I ask is you give them a go. In life what truly matters is giving it your best shot, that starts with you – #ITSOKAYTOTALK Vision with action makes for a powerful reality. ANDYSMANCLUB - It's Okay To Talk
Session details:
09:30
Industry Insights panel
A candid discussion on the pressures, expectations, and challenges faced in both professional and personal lives, offering real insight into the experiences that often go unspoken. Through stories and supportive dialogue, this panel aims to break down stigma, highlight the importance of seeking help and encourage healthier conversations around men’s wellbeing in the workplace.

Alistair Fraser
Alistair Fraser
Alistair is responsible for Marsh’s Mid Market business across their International Division and is a member of the International Executive Committee. He has 30 years experience in the industry including CEO roles in the UK and Indonesia plus Regional roles in Asia and across the globe. Alistair is a Board member of BIBA and Chair of the Large Broker Advisory Board. Alistair holds a degree from UWE, Bristol, and is CII qualified. Alistair is a vocal advocate for Mens Mental health.
Session details:

Enam Islam
Enam Islam
Enam Islam is an insurance and reinsurance expert currently working with SiriusPoint, bringing over 15 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to wellbeing and representation. As a first generation British Bangladeshi, he has navigated the tension between cultural expectations and the pressures of fitting into Western society, an experience that shaped his passion for mental health advocacy. Enam champions open conversations around men’s mental health while also supporting the emotional wellbeing of women, recognising the interconnected challenges faced across communities. Beyond his professional work, he serves in community leadership and mentoring roles, empowering young people and underrepresented groups to build confidence, resilience and belonging. Enam is dedicated to breaking stigma, promoting culturally aware support, and ensuring that both men and women feel seen, heard and supported in every space he engages with.
Session details:

Jon Richards
Jon Richards
Jon is a Partner in KPMG’s Advisory Practice, where he helps clients deliver complex transformation programmes with a focus on people, culture and sustainable change. Through his own mental health journey, including several months away from work to recover from burnout, Jon has become a vocal advocate for normalising open, stigmafree conversations about mental health and imposter syndrome in the workplace. He is CoChair of KPMG’s BeMindful Network, plays a lead role in the firm’s Men’s Wellbeing Community and acts as KPMG’s liaison to the men’s health charity Movember. Jon is particularly passionate about creating psychologically safe environments for men to talk honestly about their struggles, and about ensuring leaders recognise that vulnerability and high performance can, and should, coexist.
Session details:
09:50
Practical Takeaways with Mental Health in Business
To close the breakfast, Steve Heath from BIBA facility provider, Mental Health in Business, will bring the room together with 10 minutes of powerful, practical takeaways. Drawing on the stories shared by earlier speakers and the insights from the panel, Steve will introduce three ‘courageous moves’ every man can commit to in the next seven days. Delegates will leave not only inspired, but equipped with clear, actionable steps to support their own wellbeing and to better support the men around them.

Steve Heath
Steve Heath
Steve is a Director at Mental Health in Business and a respected trainer and speaker within the UK insurance industry. As a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor, he delivers engaging, relatable training that helps teams build confidence and open conversations about mental health. Drawing on his lived experience, Steve brings authenticity and insight to his work, encouraging professionals to create supportive, high performing workplaces. His humorous, down to earth approach and genuine passion for empowering others have made him a trusted voice on mental health and wellbeing across the insurance sector and beyond.
Session details:
10:00
Reflections & Coffee

Session details:
10:15
Close

Session details:
We will be hosting the breakfast in Junction at Manchester Central from 8:30am-10:15am on Thursday 14 May. This event is for men who are registered for The BIBA Conference, so if you haven’t registered yet you can do so below. If you have already registered for #BIBA2026 please follow the link below to secure your space at the Men’s Mental Health Breakfast.
Sponsored by:

Aviva
Aviva are delighted to return as Principal and Keynote sponsor for the 2026 BIBA Conference. Our partnership with BIBA, as with brokers, is central to driving success for customers and the industry. In a fast-changing market, we’re here to help brokers navigate the complexity, seize opportunities, and deliver outstanding outcomes for our shared customers. Together, we’ll keep building a stronger, more resilient broker community and take our partnerships from strength to strength. We know the BIBA team have another fantastic event planned, and we can’t wait to connect with brokers in Manchester next May.

Intact Insurance
Intact Insurance is the new name for RSA in the UK, Ireland, and across Europe. It’s a new name and a new way to do business. For years, we’ve protected businesses and people, adapting to change and navigating uncertainty. Now, as Intact Insurance, we’re focused on making insurance simpler, faster, and more responsive – so you can move forward with confidence. Backed by global expertise and a commitment to service that feels different, Intact Insurance delivers expert solutions, practical insights, and 24/7 claims support when it matters most. For you, this means fewer roadblocks, quicker decisions, and a partner who understands your world. Intact Insurance – built on experience, driven by values, and here to help you thrive.

Allied World
Allied World is a global provider of insurance and reinsurance solutions. We have supported clients, cedents and trading partners with thoughtful service and meaningful coverages since 2001. Allied World underwriters a diverse portfolio of risks, from SMEs to FTSE 100 companies, and is committed to delivering commercial underwriting expertise, excellent service and responsiveness. We are a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, and we benefit from a worldwide network of affiliated entities that allow us to think and respond in non-traditional ways. Our capital base is strong, our solutions anticipate rather than react to changing trends, and our teams are focused on establishing long-term relationships that are mutually beneficial.

ARAG
When ARAG UK was founded in 2006, the vision was the same simple yet revolutionary principle expressed by Heinrich Faßbender in 1935:
“To enable everybody, not just those who can afford it, to assert their legal rights. We remain committed to equal opportunities for all.”
In 2024, DAS UK was integrated into the ARAG family.
Broker & Insurer Products
We provide an innovative and comprehensive range of Legal Expenses Insurance (LEI) products and assistance products to brokers, underwriting agents and insurers.
Our LEI products offer legal protection to business, families, motorists, and landlords. We also sell a range of assistance products including Home Emergency, Landlord Emergency and Motor Breakdown.

AXA
AXA Insurance offers personal and commercial insurance, while AXA XL focuses on P&C and specialty
risks. AXA Health is AXA’s UK health and wellbeing specialist and AXA Partners is a B2B specialist,
providing solutions in assistance services.
Together, we cover individuals and businesses operating in diverse sectors, and distribute our
products through brokers, aggregators, corporate and retail partners and direct to the customer. We
work hard to become a genuine partner to our customers, summed up in our tagline ‘Know You
Can’.
We hope you’ll take the Time:To visit our stand where you can meet the One AXA Team.

Bravo Networks & Geo Underwriting
Bravo Networks is one of the UK’s leading insurance brokerage services providers, bringing together regional, independent brokers as a community. Our core purpose is to help grow, protect and support our members, using our collective strength to help them build long-lasting and meaningful relationships with our panel of Insurer partners. We embrace each members’ uniqueness and have designed a flexible proposition structured around what our members have told us they need for every stage of their business lifecycle.
Geo Underwriting is a specialist MGA offering tailored insurance solutions that cater to clients requiring cover that’s a bit more special. From construction and commercial to agriculture, leisure, marine and protection, Geo’s diverse range of products, housed together with market-leading brands, span multiple business sectors. Offering quality, bespoke products backed by experienced teams providing expert advice, excellent service and A-rated capacity, Geo gives brokers freedom of choice and greater reach within the UK insurance market.

Carpenters Group
Carpenters Group is a leading provider of insurance and legal services, with over 30 years’ experience delivering fully outsourced claims solutions.
Working in partnership with insurers, brokers and managing general agents, we combine deep insurance knowledge with legal expertise to support clients throughout the claims journey.
Our team of around 1,500 colleagues operates from seven locations across the UK, including Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, Haywards Heath and Glasgow.
We pride ourselves on long-standing relationships built on trust, quality and innovation. As a technology-driven business, we continually invest in digital solutions to enhance customer experience and streamline processes.
Our services span motor and home claims, legal expenses, serious injury, credit hire and subrogated recovery, supported by a 24/7 FNOL centre.
At Carpenters Group, we are committed to doing the right thing for our clients, colleagues and communities, delivering exceptional outcomes every time.

CFC

Chubb
Chubb is a world leader in insurance. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations and employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide.

Close Brothers
As pioneers with more than 45 years’ experience in insurance premium finance, we continue to deliver award winning support through our strategic drivers of service, expertise and relationships.
Working in partnership with brokers, we offer practical support, unique data and insights, to reinforce business decisions and goals. Our wide range of products help all types of customers pay for their insurance, by spreading the cost over regular fixed monthly payments.
Together, we’ll help you unlock opportunities for your business and customers.

Cowbell Cyber
Coming soon

Defaqto
Pearson Ham is a multi-sector pricing consultancy and market leader in provision of market price tracking and insights services to UK insurers and brokers. Operating in Motor, Home, Van, Pet, Travel, and Landlord, our insights are used by 80% of leading insurers active in the price comparison website market.
It uses real consumer profiles to obtain over 670,000 prices every day, available to clients the next day at individual provider and product level. As well as price movements, Pearson Ham provides ‘real time’ information on new product launches, product changes, premium finance, and promotional messaging.
While underwriting performance relies on claims data, it’s crucial that retail trading is supported by an in-depth understanding of competitor strategies. Pearson Ham provides this, enabling its clients to make more informed decisions.

DUAL
DUAL's strength lies in it's local teams, whose knowledge of their market helps them better understand and meet clients’ needs. As one of the world’s largest MGAs, backed by highly rated insurance and reinsurance capacity providers, providing stability of coverage and unmatched underwriting expertise. With £1bn GWP across 27+ product lines, we’re trusted industry experts with specialist local underwriting experience in a broad range of business lines.
Our entrepreneurial spirit continues to drive profitable growth, reflected in our growing regional presence where there’s clear demand for service-led, solution-orientated capacity. We believe in local trading and have added to our regional footprint with offices in Manchester and Bristol.

Gallagher
Gallagher is one of the UK’s largest insurance brokers — with a UK-wide network of more than 50 branches and well-established specialty London market operations, delivering risk management solutions for corporate, commercial and personal customers.
We’re the broker of choice for more than 720,000 UK and international businesses and work with companies of all sizes — from sole traders, start-ups and SMEs to large businesses and multinationals — across a wide range of industry sectors to minimise their total cost of risk.
Our strong presence in the London market means we can leverage relationships with multiple specialist insurance partners to obtain the most effective cover for clients with large, complex or international needs. Similarly, our regional UK branches enable us to remain embedded in the communities we serve as a trusted advisor, providing local support and insurance solutions to businesses and private clients.
We are also the proud title partner of Premiership Rugby.

LexisNexis
RELX (LSE: REL/NYSE: RELX), a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more
information, please visit www.risk.lexisnexis.com and www.relx.com.

Markel
Markel is a leading specialist insurer, serving regional brokers and UK SMEs. We are proud to empower, support and protect over one million UK customers with specialist insurance, tax and legal solutions. We’re specialists and have provided sector-specific solutions for over 30 years. In that time, we've established a strong reputation for technical excellence, product innovation and service excellence to the broking community. Whether it’s access to 24/7 legal advice, tax support or a debt recovery service, we understand the day-to-day challenges facing our customers. We put people first because we believe in the power of relationships and doing what’s right.

Munich Re Specialty
Munich Re Specialty provides specialty insurance solutions across key markets through a mix of technical underwriting, data insights and sector experience. As part of the Munich Re Group, you access strong financial backing and a global network of specialist teams across various regions.
You benefit from clear appetite guidance, responsive underwriters and support on complex risks. Our teams work closely with brokers on a wide range of sectors and lines, including property, casualty, marine, cargo, cyber and more. We focus on practical service, transparent terms and consistent communication.
We work with brokers who want a reliable partner with strong capacity and technical depth. Our aim is to help you place risks, build new products and give your clients support in an evolving risk environment.

Ryan Specialty
Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers (RSUM): Powering Specialty Solutions
RSUM stands at the forefront of delegated authority underwriting, delivering innovative solutions for niche markets. Our international footprint spans the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, reflecting rapid growth and commitment to meeting client and trading partner needs. Our diverse portfolio of MGAs led by experienced specialists, combines deep market knowledge with agility and precision.
Meet Two RSUM MGAs at BIBA:
- AQUEOUS UNDERWRITING
Award-winning and broker-focused, Aqueous provides SME insurance solutions with speed and simplicity. From Professional Indemnity to tailored SME packages for food, hospitality, and leisure sectors, we offer rapid quote-and-bind, A-rated carriers, and real underwriters delivering reliability.
- SQUARE PEGS
When standard products don’t fit, Square Pegs steps in. We craft bespoke insurance solutions for UK small and micro businesses through a cutting-edge electronic platform that gives brokers instant access to flexible, tailored solutions backed by A-rated insurers.

Verisk
We deliver data enrichment and actionable insights that empower Insurers, Brokers, and MGAs to make confident, informed decisions. Driving growth, reducing risk, and improving customer outcomes across home, commercial, and motor insurance.