Lloyd’s brokers to use iPads

Three Lloyd’s brokers - Marsh, Cooper Gay and RK Harrison – are to test using Apple iPads to replace the paper slips used to put together bespoke policies in the traditional way/

Sue Langley, Lloyd’s director of market operations, said: “By simply replacing the paper with something easier to carry, but which allows amendments and links to other services, we continue to support the underwriting and face-to-face negotiation that makes Lloyd’s unique.”

Martin South, chief executive of Marsh UK, said that his company was “committed to ending the inefficient practices that remain in the London insurance market”.

Paul Bridgwater, chief executive of RK Harrison Group, said: “We are delighted to engage early in this forward thinking initiative. Lloyd’s is a key market and we are dedicated to utilising new technologies which can enhance the interaction with underwriters.”

Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford group chief executive, Toby Esser, said: "Improving efficiency in order to maintain its leading position within the international insurance arena is an increasingly important challenge for Lloyd’s.

"Cooper Gay therefore firmly supports this exciting iPad pilot, as we believe utilising portable technology will be a vital element in driving the future success of Lloyd’s as a competitive place to do business.”

The iPads will effectively be used as an ‘electronic slip case’, enabling brokers to take documents in to the market electronically, review documents with underwriters and annotate them where required.

About 30 brokers will initially take part in a trial expected to last about three months, although others are expected to join in once it gets under way.

Each broker will decide which business area they will trial the units in.