CCV's chief executive gets in the conference spirit ahead of Biba 2011

What’s your favourite Biba memory?

No particular favourite; lots of good memories of long days and nights networking with insurers and brokers.

What excites you most about Manchester?

The guaranteed sunshine.

If you could talk to one person in the industry at this year’s Biba conference, who would it be and why?

I would be delighted to speak to any regional broker considering their succession planning or exit strategy from their business, to see if CCV can help in any regard.

What message do you want to hear from insurers?

A willingness to work with brokers, to push rates in a consistent and intelligent manner, and to improve service.

Insurance Times launched its Fair Fees campaign to lobby against rising broker fees. How do you feel about the increased FSCS levy?

It is in everyone’s interests that consumers have faith in the products they buy and know there is a safety net to protect them should anything go wrong. But any measure imposed on the industry needs to be proportionate, and my sense at the moment is that the level of fees being charged is too high – and it is really hurting brokers.

This year’s conference theme is 'Opportunities in adversity'. How would you describe the mood among brokers?

Brokers have been through a really tough trading period over the past two years, and there is little sign of things getting any easier. That said, despite the competitive environment, the recessionary impacts, the cost of inflation and the tougher stance from insurers towards smaller brokers, brokers are a resilient bunch and are never better than when they are up against it. Brokers will always find opportunities in adversity.

If you could ask keynote speaker Lord Sugar one question, what would it be?

How does he feel about Karen Brady’s bid to secure the Olympic stadium for West Ham, beating his former club Spurs?

Predict who will have the best stand?

Allianz

Consolidation among insurers has been predicted. Would this be good for the market?

It all depends on who gets consolidated. Brokers need a broader, not narrower, spread of insurers to meet customer needs.

In a ‘tweet’ (140 characters) explain what the Biba conference means to you?

All the key insurers and brokers in one room!