Cycling for charity, perfecting panel skills, a new addition joining UKGI and an unforgettable orchestral performance. What has the insurance industry been up to of late? You heard it here first…
Biking brilliance
Ian Barclay, chief executive at Benefact Group-owned broker Lycetts, has raised £12,641 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association after taking on Spain’s 200km Quebrantahuesos cycling challenge in June 2025.
The gruelling route, which took Barclay eight hours and 41 minutes to complete, meandered through the Aragonese region and French Pyrenees – including a daunting 3,500m of uphill climbing. Barclay also had to surmount 37 degree Celsius heat and two punctures.
Barclay said: “This was, without question, one of the toughest tests I’ve ever faced – both physically and mentally. But whenever it got difficult, I reminded myself why I was doing it. I’m humbled by the generosity of everyone who donated and I’m proud that this money will support the vital work of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.”
Panel practice
On 17 September 2025, Insurance Times editor Katie Scott once again participated as a mentor for professional development and networking programme Insurance Breakfast Club (IBC), which supports mid-level female insurance professionals with their career progression plans and skills.
Scott was involved in IBC’s panel training – which coaches managers how to speak at conferences as part of panel debates – providing live feedback to participating delegates. She additionally took part in a live Q&A with IBC founder Katherine Bryant, sharing insight on how professions can successfully collaborate with the trade press.
Baby boy born
Insurance Times would like to wish regulator contributor and Insurance DataLab founder Matt Scott, as well as his lovely wife Becky, huge congratulations for the birth of their baby boy on 29 September 2025.
Weighing in at 7lbs 4oz, we are sure that little Xavier Nathaniel Scott will be number crunching with his daddy in no time at all.
Orchestral opulence
On 30 September 2025, Scott joined members of insurer Aviva’s media team for a melodious evening at London’s premier concert hall, the Royal Albert Hall, to enjoy a unique, orchestral performance from Icelandic trio Sigur Rós.
The post-rock group, which comprises of lead vocalist and guitarist Jón Þór Birgisson, bassist Georg Hólm and keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson, delivered songs from their most recent album Átta – this means “eight” in Icelandic, reflecting the fact that the collection is the performers’ eighth studio release.
The band was well received by its London audience, with the majority standing to applaud the ethereal show.
Foodie finds
Ever wondered where to take colleagues, peers or business connections for a lunch time two courses, or an after work meal? Insurance Times rounds up some of the spots it has enjoyed with market firms recently…
- If you are looking to stay a stone’s throw from Lloyd’s of London, then Davy’s Wine Bars branch Factory House is a convenient and
ambient basement restaurant specialising in steak. Insurance Times enjoyed a juicy sirloin, chips and a glass of red alongside Concirrus’ director of strategy and product, Ruth Polyblank.
- When attending the Royal Albert Hall, its upstairs Verdi Italian Kitchen is a great spot for a pre-show bite to eat. The menu is full of classic Italian favourites, with Insurance Times tucking into a delicious meatball topped pizza alongside insurer Aviva.
- On 2 October 2025, Insurance Times headed to Manchester for its latest TechTalk Live roundtable, held at Argentinian steak specialist Gaucho. Although event participants enjoyed empanadas, steak, chips and chocolate brownies in St Mary’s Street, there are also London-based branches to visit.
- If Spanish tapas gets your tastebuds watering, then head to Covent Garden’s Barrafina for a selection of flavoursome small plates – its tortilla is especially unique, but Insurance Times enjoyed all of the dishes it sampled with legal expenses specialist Arag.
Since joining Insurance Times, Katie has successfully obtained a number of industry accolades. Most recently, at Biba's 2025 Journalist and Media Awards, Katie was named the overall winner and received the Journalist of the Year trophy, alongside the Best Thought Leadership Award for her briefing article on reproductive health MGA Juniper and how insurance can be used to positively impact taboo subjects.View full Profile
No comments yet