INTERVIEW
challenge. ABI statistics show There is no doubt most BM: What’s the best bit about like to take on this role and I
that large fires in the UK are businesses like to deal with a working in the insurance jumped at the opportunity. Fire
increasing, particularly on broker and value the services industry? Why would you safety and fire protection are
commercial estates. There are their broker provides. This has recommend it as a career? close to my heart and working
many reasons behind this been the case for many years with the FPA gives me a great
including modern materials used and I’m certain will continue. RW: You get to see so much of buzz. The FPA are very involved
in construction, the economic There is bound to be the whole spectrum of business in fire safety education and
climate and the fire service competition from some activities as an underwriter – training and providing technical
generally taking a more aggregator sites in the future, just as you do as a broker. One services to businesses, the
defensive approach to fighting along similar lines to the of my previous roles within AXA government and insurers. It’s an
fires. This needs to be tackled or personal lines market, but I can was as a surveyor. I really excellent business with
Property rates will need to only see this working for very enjoyed this role as it gave me enthusiastic staff - they do a
increase substantially. small, simple risks. the opportunity to visit and superb job. They’re based at the
Consolidation in the broker really understand so many UK’s Fire Centre of Excellence in
BM: Have you ever considered market has certainly been a businesses and trades, and how Morton in Marsh, Gloucestershire
becoming a broker and what do major feature of the last five to they operate. – a great place to be.
you think makes a good broker? 10 years, but I don’t see this as The other point I’d mention
damaging. This has helped is that insurance enables you to BM: What’s the best holiday
RW: Good question. Im an develop some larger players in help people and businesses you’ve ever been on? Where
underwriter at heart. I started as the market, who can offer when they most need support. I would you like to visit?
a trainee underwriter many services and support that it can used to handle claims in a past
years ago and thoroughly enjoy often be difficult for smaller role as well, which was always RW: Difficult question. I love all
the challenge that this brings. brokers to replicate. rewarding and as underwriters, my holidays! I think I’d plump for
It’s amazing how much there is we are of course, very interested my holiday earlier this year when
to learn about UK plc – all of BM: AXA has bought brokers in claims and we work closely my wife and I went to Egypt and
the ins and outs of businesses in (i.e. Bluefin) - do you think this with our claims colleagues. Jordan. Visiting the sights in
a dynamic and changing world trend will continue? It has also Insurance offers a very wide Cairo (particularly the pyramids),
and in fact you never stop been said that this jeopardises range of opportunities, cruising up the Nile (including
learning. independence - what’s your challenges never cease and you the Valley of the Kings) and
A good broker needs a view? keep on learning. staying over in Jordan (Petra)
broad range of skills – including was very special. Where would I
running their own business for RW: I think the current problems BM: Is there someone in the like to visit? I love Italy but
many brokers, social skills when in the financial markets have put industry who’s been a big somewhere my wife and I haven’t
attracting and looking after a brake on consolidation, but influence in your career? been is Australia and New
their customers and technical whether this is a stop or pause – Zealand. We’d really like to go
skills for identifying and I suspect it is just a pause. I’m RW: I would mention Alan Grant there at some stage.
assessing all of their clients’ sure Bluefin will be looking to (now Allianz) and Graham White
risks and needs. continue their growth – both (now Zurich). Alan and Graham BM: How do you relax away
I like brokers who really organic and by acquisition – in were both in our Bournemouth from work and what are your
understand their clients business the future. office when I started my main interests?
and needs and are able to I honestly can’t see that insurance career. Their
provide us with a good level of AXA have jeopardised Bluefin’s enthusiasm and knowledge were RW: My wife Joyce and I live in
detail, so we can really assess independence. They operate as a fantastic and they taught me so Cumbria (we’ve been married
the risks we’re underwriting. totally separate business and much. They really got me hooked since 1977 and have four grown
their independence is hugely onto insurance! up children, two boys and twin
BM: Are you optimistic about important to them and us. We girls). The contrast between
the future of the broking bought Bluefin to help balance BM: I hear that you’re involved London during the week and
industry - or do you feel all the our business model, with its with the Fire Protection Cumbria at weekends is very
consolidation has been reliable non-risk income. Bluefin Association? special. I like music of all kinds,
damaging? is a very good business and its visiting the theatre or shows in
strong track record of RW: I’m fortunate to be London and eating out is always
RW: Absolutely, I’m optimistic profitability will help us balance chairman of the FPA. The ABI a treat and Aston Villa’s our
about the future of broking. the insurance underwriting cycle. asked me a few years ago if I’d football passion.
10 Insurance Brokers’ Monthly
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