ABI announces new GI chair

The ABI has appointed a new chairman of its General Insurance Council (GIC).

Andy Watson, currently chief executive of Ageas UK has been appointed to the council, which sets out the ABI’s strategic direction on issues relating to the general insurance market.

Watson was previously the chair of the ABI’s Motor Committee. He now takes over from Amanda Blanc, who was appointed as the new chair of the ABI last month.

Watson said: “I am delighted to accept the offer to succeed Amanda as Chair of the General Insurance Council and build on her good work.

“Insurance will always be a cornerstone of an efficient, advanced economy; nevertheless our industry faces many challenges – from technology, from regulation from rapidly changing customer behaviours and expectations amongst many others.

”It is up to us to decide how best to address these issues so everyone, and especially the customer, benefit from the service we provide.”

Huw Evans, director general of the ABI said: “I’m very pleased that Andy Watson has become chair of the GIC and will join the ABI board.

”This is an important time in general insurance, with Brexit negotiations reaching a critical point, key legislation going through Parliament to reform personal injury compensation and responding to challenges posed by terrorism and the impact of Grenfell.

”It is also a time where building trust and reputation in insurance have never been more important.

“Andy’s experience and expertise makes him ideally suited to helping the industry respond to the challenging environment the UK’s general insurers face in the months and years ahead, working with colleagues across the market to present a strong and unified industry position to Government and regulators in the best interests of our markets and customers.”