Mystery blogger Sid is finding the quiet life a bit dull by comparison to some recent industry antics

I'm pleased to see that “RBSI has turned the corner”. The question is: which one and to where? Certainly my broker friends still having to broke for a living tell me that NIG has not turned a corner, rather it's gone round the bend.

Spring is in the air it seems, and those pretend Essex boys Utley and Spencer are at it again.

Spencer has bought the Auto Windscreen brand, which looks like a bargain, and Utley, fresh from IAG, where there's a slight problem with the Equity motor result, is now ready to make more than £100m by floating Hastings. These boys! Never turn down a chance to party with this pair – they are the true entrepreneurs.

Meantime, rescue the AXA PR machine. We have moved from Clouseau philosophy to Ordinary Joe homily in one move.

Finally, news reaches me that Homer is trying to replace himself at Towergate as they prepare for IPO. Look out for a big transfer fee being paid to lift a big hitter. Rather careless of them to have let Ms Blanc slip.

But who wants to be a highly paid chief exec of a FTSE 250? Er, well I've had a long, cold winter and am finding retirement a bit of a bore. Headhunters please contact the editor, but on the QT of course. Hush hush.

Email me: sid@insurancetimes.co.uk.