In times of crisis, men of power retreat to a special place of solitude. Churchill had Chartwell, Harold Wilson would disappear to the Scilly Isles and of course John Prescott enjoys a spot of croquet at Dorneywood.
So it is no surprise that Backchat has learned that Marsh’s former UK chief, Bruce Carnegie-Brown, has decamped to his cottage in Devon and “gone fishing”. BCB was always known to be a keen fisherman, a pastime useful for those seeking contemplation.
One thing he maybe mulling over in his boat, other than the relief from the carping of the Marsh US executive board, is that he failed in his bid to take the top job at Lloyd’s.
Backchat was told by a senior source that Carnegie-Brown put himself forward and got through to the final round against Richard Ward. Sadly it was not to be as Chemical Dick, the affectionate nickname Lloyd’s brokers have given Ward, pipped the ex-JP Morgan banker to the post.
The source said: “No one believes he will stay at Marsh to pursue other interests as the company line suggests. He might end up at a friendly insurer like R&SA.”
