THE POWER OF
PARTNERSHIPS

11:00 – 11:45

HEAD-TO-HEAD: FRONTING INSURERS VERSUS TRADITIONAL INSURERS

As fronting insurers continue to assert their influence in the UK & ROI MGA market, the panel will discuss the advantages and challenges in using fronting insurers compared to traditional markets including a reinsurer perspective.

13:45 – 14:30

DEEPENING THE BROKER PARTNERSHIP

MGAs continue to increase their share of brokers placement through underwriting expertise and excellent service but what are the next steps Brokers would like to see from MGAs in their partnership? Our broker panel will explore the avenues for MGAs to enhance their partnerships, delving into areas where deeper engagement is desired and identifying the additional services brokers seek from MGAs.

14:35 – 15:15 

TECHNOLOGY REALITY V MYTHS

Technological advances promise competitive advantages across many disciplines, but how much is real versus aspirational? Is technology living up to its promises? The panel will explore current advancements, realistic expectations for the next twelve months, what the MGA community should consider now, and debunk several myths.

13:00 – 14:00 

NEXT GEN DOES QUESTION TIME!

Join the Next Gen Committee who are hosting a “Question Time” inspired session, this is your chance to engage with industry leaders and discuss pivotal topics shaping the future of MGAs. Our exciting panel, hosted by Kaj and Jack will debate what the industry needs to do to keep at pace with generational change and dive into what opportunities are available for younger professionals. In keeping with the theme of this year’s conference, we will also be providing perspective on the importance of cross-industry partnerships and how a collaborative approach will enable MGAs to thrive moving forward.

Opening speaker – Powell Brown, President & Chief Executive Officer Brown & Brown

09:45 - 10:30

Powell Brown was named president and CEO by the board of directors in July 2009. Since that time, Brown & Brown’s market cap and dedicated team have grown exponentially. Powell’s unwavering focus on strategic expansion, efficient operations, innovation and teammate engagement sets the course for Brown & Brown’s success across the U.S. and select global markets. During his tenure with the company, which began in 1995, Powell has held multiple leadership positions across Brown & Brown’s business segments. Powell holds the professional designation of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). He is a graduate of the University of Florida and holds an MBA from Duke University. Powell currently sits on the board of directors for the WestRock Company, an international paper and package company, and serves on the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee. He also serves on the board of Camp Boggy Creek, a non-profit camp for chronically ill children. He is a member of the board of trustees of The Institutes, a leading provider of risk management and insurance education and resources and serves on The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB) board. Additionally, he was appointed to the Florida Council of 100, an organization of Florida business leaders who advise the state’s governor. He is also on The Julliard School Board of Trustees. Powell resides in Florida with his wife and four children. In his personal time, he enjoys cycling, snow skiing, yoga and reading.

FCA Update and Q & A with Lisa Sturley – Head of Department, Market Interventions, Insurance, Financial Conduct Authority

11:50 - 12:30

Lisa will offer a comprehensive regulatory update, covering key topics such as the FCA’s future market engagement plans. Additionally, she will be available to address any questions from delegates.

Lisa has 30+ years of financial services experience including roles at RBS and Credit Suisse. Lisa’s responsibilities as a regulator, including with predecessor organisations, IMRO and FSA, have primarily been in supervision, covering investment management, deposit takers, life insurance and most recently general insurance firms. Lisa has led the Retail General Insurance Supervision Department during the implementation of the General Insurance Pricing Practice rules and Consumer Duty

Celebrity Speaker – Suzanne Williams QPM

15:30 - 16:10

Suzanne Williams QPM is an experienced hostage negotiator who has worked on some of the highest profile and dangerous hostage situations across the world. This has required negotiating in war zones, on the high-seas with modern pirates, and on behalf of well-known families. She is a visiting lecturer at Harvard University and an Associate Fellow at the University of Oxford’s Said Business School.
 
Whilst a Scotland Yard detective she was the most senior ranking officer in charge of both the Kidnap and Hostage Negotiation Units. At the highest level, Suzanne Williams has been an active contributor to the UK Government’s crisis response in cases of the kidnap and abduction of UK citizens overseas. For her work here, she received the Queen’s Police Medal in recognition of her commitment to the fields of kidnap, negotiation, and saving of life.
 
She has advised Ministers as part of the Cabinet Office Briefings (COBR) on negotiation strategies and suitable kidnap, high jacking and siege responses. Many of these cases have evolved in the media spotlight whilst others were resolved covertly. Each demanded careful and innovative negotiation plans, the use of intermediaries and good communication to all stakeholders including the perpetrators.
 
Suzanne also spent time as part of the Royal Protection senior management team working from Buckingham Palace. Her role included security preparation for annual major royal events, crisis management for spontaneous incidents and detailed plan writing for the UK government in response to serious crimes against members of the Royal Household.
 
Whilst seconded to the FBI Sue became an accredited Hostage Negotiator in the USA, and has contributed to the successful resolution of hundreds of kidnaps and hostage situations on land and the high seas. This has included working on sea hijackings with modern pirates, as well as being deployed in war zones at crucial points to negotiate in very delicate high-risk situations. She has recently undertaken negotiations as a tactic for combating cyber extortion.
 
Due to her extensive expertise in these areas she is currently called upon to assist and advise many foreign governments, high profile families, organisations and companies experiencing crimes in action and critical incidents involving hostage-taking or extortion.
 
She is a well-known expert in the global security community and her specialist security advice is highly sought after. She also is a visiting lecturer at Harvard University, working with the international aid sector developing crisis plans required for a proportionate and successful response. 
 
Suzanne is also an Associate Fellow at the University of Oxford’s Said Business School working on the Oxford Programme of Negotiation. Here she covers the topics, “understanding decision making in negotiations – how to negotiate rationally in a non-rational world”, “communicating persuasively in negotiations”, “trust and ethics in negotiation” and “negotiating successfully across cultures”. She explains how the remarkable lifesaving skills and tactics of hostage negotiation do transfer seamlessly into the world of business.