Welcome everyone.
Thank you for joining us here in Manchester this morning.
I am thrilled to be here, making my first conference speech since becoming BIBA Chair.
It’s an incredible privilege to occupy this role, working on behalf of a sector that places over £150 Billion in premium… and employs 132,000 people.
I’ve enjoyed meeting so many of you at the manifesto launch, regional dinners and advisory boards these last few months… And I take very seriously my role in chairing one of our most important and impactful committees – our Access to Insurance Committee, which supports the BIBA Find Insurance Service.
Everyday, the BIBA Find Insurance Service matches consumers and firms with brokers who can find insurance for more complex needs. Like 25 year old Amelia, a first time buyer with Type 1 Diabetes, who couldn’t find protection insurance in support of her mortgage application. Now, it’s worth remembering that over 460,000 people in the UK have Type 1.
Diabetes UK put her in touch with the Find Insurance Service, and one of our specialist brokers found her a policy.
In fact, since 2012, it’s helped 1.7 million customers. Just one of the ways in which BIBA brokers help people in the UK live their best life. And we’re so proud of that work.
Now, we have some amazing speakers joining us over the next two days.
England Cricket Captain, Ben Stokes, will be closing our conference tomorrow – I will never forget his performance in the 2019 World Cup against New Zealand – extraordinary cricket!
We have Peter Crouch…who will be providing a few world cup tips. And the one and only Davina McCall – a national treasure! We have a New look BIBA Board since we last saw you – with Gallagher’s CEO, Michael Rea has become our new Deputy Chair…
Lockton’s Adam Wenn is our new Finance Committee Chair…Small broker, Stuart Hulbert from Brents is our new Insurance Brokers Standards Committee Chair…
We welcomed Sarah Chadburn of One Call our new Chair of the regions… Iain Anderson, our Non Exec, providing us with political insight And Andy Tedstone of Cobra – our Network and MGA Advisory Board Chair.
I also want to thank all of the other BIBA Chairs – the broking experts – who give their time generously to support you all.
This is the 48th BIBA Conference… and our biggest yet.
Graeme, Emma and the BIBA Team have put their heart and soul into ensuring you have the best networking and CPD experience here.
We have an amazing 221 exhibitors, and while you are circulating in the exhibition hall, please make time to visit ICAN at stand B84, and show your appreciation for the work they do to improve cultural awareness across the industry.
Thank you, every one of you, for being part of this incredible conference. Now it’s my great pleasure to introduce our next speaker…
Who works tirelessly to represent you all. Ladies and Gentlemen… please welcome the irrepressible and irreplaceable CEO of BIBA, Graeme Trudgill.
