Senior staff at trade association Biba share what they are most excited about ahead of its 2025 conference this May, highlighting the breadth of session themes, speakers and networking opportunities on offer
Alastair Blundell, head of general insurance at Biba
“I am really looking forward to hearing from the panel that will be discussing the geopolitical scene. I cannot remember living through such a tumultuous and uncertain period where all the old norms and allegiances have gone.
”There are some great panellists who will give perspectives through a variety of different lenses – military, media, political. It should be fascinating and doubtlessly a bit frightening too.
“On a less serious – but still important – note, an enduring strength of the conference is the chance to refresh old relationships and create new ones. People come in such large numbers because they want to trade ideas and do business under one roof – a unique opportunity.”
Neil Jenkinson, regional manager for the north, Scotland and Northern Ireland at Biba
“Over my nearly 10-year career at Biba, I’ve seen that the Biba Conference in Manchester has been the perfect place to meet old faces and new.
”It gives the opportunity to network, both at the conference and at various evening events, getting business done and, of course, sampling a little of Manchester’s renowned hospitality.”
Juliet Williams, regional manager for the central region at Biba
“I am most looking forward to seeing our members and future members so I can share with them the massive resource they have access to. Biba is like an iPhone – so much capability is available that it is not all used.
”I make it my mission to share the word about what Biba has available.
“I also love catching up with the great and good of the insurance profession.”
Mike Hallam, head of technical services at Biba
“Attending the Biba Conference each year, I always look forward to seeing how the event continues to evolve. This is not only in terms of the organisation, but the seminars, speakers and, of course, the exhibition stands.
”It never ceases to amaze me how exhibitors use creative genius to come up with ever more original shapes and styles for stands, which means the conference is never the same each year.”
David Sparkes, regulation director at Biba
”One of the things I always enjoy about the conference is the obvious atmosphere of camaraderie that one finds in the exhibition area each year, as people get to meet up again.
“The conference theme could not be more apt, as we have entered a new era of government and regulatory support for growth, which we are starting to see in some of the FCA’s recent papers.
”I am sure this will be explored in some of the great seminar sessions we will be running.”
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