Backchat: November 2026

IT on the road

There are many items, beings and traditions that can be described as well travelled – for example, letters, vehicles, migratory animals and, of course, people.

Thanks to former Aon UK, Ireland and South Africa chief executive Jane Kielty, Insurance Times can now also classify itself as well travelled, due to Kielty taking her publication branded tote bag on a variety of adventures across the globe over the last six months.

In this photo, for example, Kielty used her Insurance Times tote bag to carry possessions around Bhutan as she climbed the cliffside route to the Tiger’s Nest, a sacred Buddhist monastery 900m above the Paro Valley.

It is great to see Insurance Times expand its geographical footprint!

Art for a good cause

Between 23 and 26 November 2026, the Lloyd’s Art Group – a (re)insurance-centric art society – will be hosting its annual Winter Exhibition at the Old Library at Lloyd’s.

This event will showcase paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints and photography by artists working across the London market, with many of the works available to buy. 

A proportion of any sales made will be donated to Street Souls, a UK charity that seeks to aid animals living on the streets.

The Lloyd’s Art Group has been holding its Winter Exhibition every year since 1963, making it a firm fixture in the London market’s social calendar. Will you attend this year?

Aviva’s home turf

Insurance Times reporter Harriet Scott ventured up to sunny Norwich last month (October 2026) to have a nosey around Aviva’s Marble Hall office. During her trip, Scott spoke to Alan Boswell Group’s personal lines manager, Chloe Denholm, and Aviva’s broker proposition lead, Gillian Brennan, all about how the insurer is working with brokers to create talent pipelines.

Following a whistlestop tour of Norwich’s castle, cathedral and the little shopping nooks in the city, Scott was introduced to Aviva’s newly appointed head of commercial motor claims, Paul Dyer, who talked her through the latest digital investments his team have put in place to transform claims journeys.

However the day would not have been complete without a deep dive into the Aviva archives, where Scott was mesmerised by head of archives Anna Stone’s wealth of knowledge about historic fraud cases and centuries old insurance memorabilia.

Fleet of foot

Although the weather in the UK has turned decided autumnal, Lockton’s Garry Simmons – the broker’s senior vice-president and real estate claims practice leader – still has a spring in his step as he completed his ninth marathon event last month.

On 10 October 2026, seasoned runner Simmons took on the EDP Lisbon Marathon – a gruelling 26.2 mile course that started in Carcavelos, then traversed alongside the Atlantic coast and the Tagus River to finish at Praça do Comércio in central Lisbon. Simmons completed the route in an impressive 5.03 hours – his third fastest time to date.

In terms of the event that will form Simmons’ double digit marathon milestone, he has booked on to March 2027’s Run Rome The Marathon, as well as has ambitions to take on another European marathon later next year too. Even dislocating his knee 10 times has not put this keen runner off.

Insurance Times would like to congratulate Simmons on a great achievement in Lisbon!