Edinburgh lights up Biba's annual bash

The beautiful city of Edinburgh forms the attractive backdrop to Biba's 22nd annual conference, which has at its heart the theme of Building the New Profession.

This year's conference is certain to be a milestone as delegates confront head on the exciting challenges facing the broking industry.

The year 2000 should see the repeal of the Insurance Brokers Registration Act and the start of regulation by the non-statutory General Insurance Standards Council.

There is also the question of professional status for brokers, represented by the title of Chartered Insurance Broker.

Biba chairman Simon Bolam believes it is imperative that formal professional status is achieved as regulators and the public are demanding much higher standards of professionalism from brokers.

Further change is also being forced by the growth of e-commerce and the large number of new virtual intermediaries competing for business.

The conference promises a wider perspective on the question of chartered status and its implications, through an address by radio psychologist Dr Anthony Clare. And Olympic sprinter Roger Black will give what promises to be an inspirational talk on what makes up the mindset of a champion.

Under the banner of Building the New Profession, the conference hopes to provide a coherent plan for the way forward.