NEWS
Interview John Smeaton appointed as new FPA chairman
JOHN SMEATON is the new chairman of the FPA, replacing Chris Hanks. Mr Smeaton spoke to F&RM about his appointment, his hopes for the organisation and what he will bring to his new role.
What do you hope to bring to the FPA as chairman?
I’ve not previously held the role, but have had many years of experience in senior management roles in commercial insurance, and was recently acting managing director (MD) of the FPA for six months. This is a great opportunity for me to learn how to be a good chairman in a company that I admire, on subject matter that interests and inspires me, and with leading experts in their field. Most of my roles have been very hands on and operational, and the roles and responsibilities of a chairman are somewhat different. One of my biggest challenges will be not to get too deeply involved in every aspect of the operations. That is what the executive steering group (ESG) is in place for. I’ll ensure I take a strategic viewpoint – to be the cherry on the cake, and not have all my fingers in the pie, so to speak! Having worked for Aviva for a
number of years, and with my final role being head of commercial property underwriting, commercial liability underwriting and risk management, I’d like to think that being responsible for underwriting and risk management strategy at one of the largest UK insurers will help me bring strong leadership and guidance to the FPA. I hope to complement the superb skillsets of the board members and the ESG, and promise that we will regularly review strategy to help the FPA on its journey in an evolving and ever changing arena. A couple of key things will also assist me – I’ve had a recent insight into operations as interim MD, and seen the very strong industry position of the FPA. I was also a non executive director
for over ten years, so have a history of working with the company. They’re not hiring a stranger! I’ll also be able to provide the FPA with my vast network
I’ve developed an extensive network in insurance, risk management and reinsurance circles, with two other previous roles being an advisory board member of Pool RE and a member of the Association of British Insurers (ABI) property committee. I’m also proud to have strong
contacts with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), whose Underwriting Faculty presented me with a Special Achievement Award in 2011 for my contribution to leadership, coaching, mentoring and training within the insurance Industry.
What aims do you do have for your tenure?
of contacts, some of whom could become key contributors. I’ll expect the same from other board members as we attempt to broaden the FPA’s areas of influence.
What had you been doing prior to joining the FPA?
My background is in commercial property insurance underwriting and risk management, working in various head office environments. Originally, I was a wordings technician and learned my trade from there. I’ve run my own branch outlets, been in senior management positions in regional roles, worked in all different mediums of commercial insurance – global and corporate, mid market, brokers office based business and small online business – and left Aviva after 39 years. My six months as acting MD of the FPA gave me a great insight into what it does and what its strengths and weaknesses are – a good foundation for my role as chairman. In the interim period, I carried out
a commercial underwriting strategy review for AXA, so I’m actively engaged in other work and will continue to be.
16 MARCH 2019
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I want to learn how to be a good chairman, and hope to use my experience to manage a very strong board of high quality individuals from key insurers and other arenas. I’d like to maintain a clear focus on what we’re trying to achieve, to successfully grow the business and continue to strive towards being the best at what we do. To achieve our goals, we need
a strategy fit for the short, medium and long term, and to wisely invest in people and technology to retain our market leading position. Grenfell was a major disaster claiming many lives, and has raised many challenges in fire protection and prevention. The FPA’s been at the forefront of
providing advice and guidance (post Grenfell) to the government via the Hackitt Review, and to insurers via the ABI following extensive testing. It must continue to be the first point of call for fire protection advice, guidance, training, testing and education.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the FPA?
As a not for profit organisation, one of the constant challenges is to make enough profit to reinvest in good causes and in infrastructure. In an ever challenging world where new products come along regularly, being in a space to invest in the right equipment and people, and being able to adapt to that change within a relatively limited budget, is a key challenge.
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