Insurance Times Advent Calendar: William Cooper

Open your advent calendar below!

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1. What was your insurance industry highlight of 2025?

Personally, it was the launch of Stanhope Cooper’s UK-centric jewellery and watch comparison website in February 2025, which enables our clients to instantly get cover for their valuables from multiple providers online. A quote indication is generated in 45 seconds.

Further afield, Aviva’s acquisition of Direct Line Group – which completed in July 2025 – was a defining moment. Two of the UK’s most trusted insurance brands joining forces creates a personal lines powerhouse and signals a major shift in the market. It is exciting to see how this will influence competition and customer experience moving forward.

2. What is your Christmas message for your insurance colleagues?

“Be a little kinder to each other” to quote English writer and philosopher Aldous Huxley.

We are all so very lucky to work in this incredibly social and fluid industry. Keep the competitive spirit, of course, but temper it with respect and consideration for underwriters and rival brokers alike.

Secondly, do the right thing for the client and the cross-sell will take care of itself. It is amazing what happens when you help a client out. New opportunities always arise – sometimes you have to ask for them. Do not be scared to ask your client for an introduction.

3. What do you hope to find under the industry’s Christmas tree for 2026?

Artificial intelligence (AI) and technology advances liberating us all from policy admin systems and very unattractive policy schedules and wordings.

The general insurance broker market lags behind the AI and tech used by other financial services companies. Attachments sent via email is a turgid way of going about business. Let’s rip the copy book up and innovate.

In my own high net worth (HNW) sector, I would like to see an online collection management system for jewellery, watches and artwork. Let’s see if The Ardonagh Group and Stanhope Cooper can come up with something here.

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