THURSDAY 7 APRIL
Max Taylor, Chairman, Biba
Max Taylor is deputy chairman of Aon UK and a member of the worldwide Aon group executive committee. In the UK, Taylor is responsible for managing and developing major client relationships. Prior to joining Aon in January 2001, Taylor completed a three-year term as chairman of Lloyd's.
Eric Galbraith, Chief executive, Biba
Eric Galbraith's career spans over 35 years in the insurance market, including Marsh, Royal Bank Insurance Services and Hill House Hammond, where he was managing director. Galbraith has worked in a number of specialised areas including business interruption, marine and professional indemnity.
The Rt Hon William Hague MP
William Hague was Leader of the Opposition from 1997 to 2001, and is perhaps best known for his skill in parliamentary debate. He was born and brought up in Yorkshire, where he continues to serve as MP for Richmond. William's keynote presentations revolve around two principal themes, 'Lessons of Leadership' and 'What is Happening in the World'.
Stephen Bland, Acting director, small business division, FSA
Stephen Bland is responsible for supervising the many thousands of small firms operating in the general insurance market, as well as similar firms in the mortgage and investment markets.
John Nicholson, Chairman, Nicholson McBride
John Nicholson has been described by The Sunday Times as "the UK's foremost customer care guru", and his company as "the crack outfit in an increasing field". Government positions have included special adviser to the Cabinet Office on the management of change in the public sector. He was also closely involved in preparing the 1994 White Paper that set out a blueprint for Civil Service reform.
Miles Trotter, Managing senior financial analyst, AM Best Europe
Miles Trotter, who has extensive experience in the London market, is responsible for the ratings of Lloyd's, several UK non-life companies and major European reinsurers. Prior to joining AM Best, Miles spent seven years developing SBW Insurance Research's research and analysis products.
Steve Verrall, Chairman and group chief executive, Sirius Financial Systems
Steve Verrall was a founding shareholder of Sirius and its managing director from the company's formation. In recent years he has played a key role in the management buy-out and subsequent flotation of the business.
Trevor Penton, Coach, Personal Presentation
Trevor Penton joined Personal Presentation in 2001 after spending 13 years working in film, television and theatre as a professional actor, having trained at RADA.
Chris Bramwell, Coach, Personal Presentation
Chris Bramwell joined Personal Presentation in 1995 after three years in the music business and 16 years as a professional actor, director, producer and musician.
Tony Boorman, Principal ombudsman and director - decisions, Financial Ombudsman Service
Tony Boorman is responsible for the work of all the ombudsmen across all financial service sectors. Prior to this he worked in utility regulation. He is also a member of the Commission for Judicial Appointments.
Roy Sheppard, Senior partner, PeoplePortfolio International
Roy Sheppard is a visiting lecturer at Cranfield University's full-time MBA course and a specialist on how to build more profitable business relationships. His background is in radio and television journalism.
Frank Furness
Frank Furness is a specialist in sales, management, goal-setting and motivation. He discovered his niche in sales in 1980 and went on to become one of the top 1% of salespeople in the world in financial services. He is now a full-time speaker.
Jonathan Clark, Senior vice president, Crawford & Company International
Jonathan Clark studied biochemistry at Oxford and biochemical engineering at London University. He is CII treasurer and chairman of the Faculty of Claims.
FRIDAY 8 APRIL
Dame Stella Rimington
Dame Stella Rimington was formerly director general of MI5. Dame Stella joined MI5 in 1969 and worked in counter-subversion, counter-espionage and counter-terrorism, becoming director of all three branches. She was appointed director general in 1992, the first woman to take the post and the first director general to be publicly named. She retired in April 1996.
Richard Brown, UK sales & marketing director, Alexander Forbes Risk Services UK
Richard Brown joined Nelson Hurst and Marsh (now Alexander Forbes) in PI sales in 1989, becoming associate director in 1990 and director in 1994. He has been responsible for sales and marketing for the whole company in the UK since 2002.
Michael Tipper
Michael Tipper is an accomplished speaker and trainer who specialises in the practical business and educational application of Mind Mapping, Speed Reading, Memory Skills, Accelerated Learning and Creative Thought.
Sir Matthew Pinsent
Matthew Pinsent's first taste of the Olympics came at 21, when he and Sir Steve Redgrave won the coxless pairs in Barcelona. He won his fourth gold medal in the four-man event at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He is well-qualified to speak about the passion and commitment needed to succeed at the highest level.
