The Birmingham Insurance Institute has announced the death of its vice president Laurie Harding.

Laurie began his career with Prudential in the North West, before joining the CII and beginning his insurance studies which culminated with his election as a Fellow of the Institute.

After being promoted to Prudential's Birmingham office, Laurie joined the Birmingham Institute, where he served as treasurer, deputy president and president.

Following his retirement from Prudential after 30 years, he joined Sedgwick where he worked for a further 10 years, after which he ran his own consultancy business.

Throughout all this time he was a stalwart supporter of the BII and was well liked and respected by all who knew him.

Laurie died just before Christmas 2006 at the age of 65 after a severe but mercifully short illness. The Institute sends its condolences to his widow Sue, who was alongside him through so many of his Institute activities, his son Jonathan and all members of his family.