The annual survey of one-upmanship, the Sunday Times Rich List 2002, has seen one or two captains of the insurance industry leap up the table. Backchat would like to congratulate (without a hint of sycophancy, of course) Benfield Greig chief executive Grahame Chilton, a member of Insurance Times' editorial advisory board, who has jumped to 207th from 259th (2001).
According to the list, he is now worth an estimated £154m (£126m, 2001) and could move up further next year if the reinsurance group's flotation on the New York stock exchange goes ahead.
Another high-flyer is John Charman, formerly of Ace International, now of Bermudian upstart Axis Specialty. He is placed at 308th and valued at £110m, up from 394th last year (£85m, 2001). It claims that when he left Ace, his shares were worth £3.3m.
Today they are valued at £82m and his property and other assets easily add up to £28m, according to the report.
For those who know either men, the idea their wealth is of rock star proportions may seem a little strange. But Charman is actually on a par with Tom Jones (£110m) and Chilton is only £1m short of Mick Jagger (£155m).
Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
