What do underwriters plan to ask brokers at the Biba Conference 2025?

David Nichols, head of retail, Zurich UK

”I want to hear how we can support brokers further – honest feedback is what we trade on. This makes our propositions stronger and creates more opportunities to trade.”

Lindsey Nelson, head of cyber development, CFC Underwriting

”Are your teams talking about cyber risk to your clients successfully and if not, what can we do to help improve that?

“As less than 10% of UK businesses are buying an insurance product that addresses their largest business risk exposure today, we think there is a big education piece needed and so we want to understand the challenges brokers are facing and how we can support them to drive the conversation with their clients, so that the massive protection gap UK businesses face is filled.”

Edward Ambrose, UK head of professional indemnity, RSA

”Climate change impacts us all and remains a key strategic focus point for businesses across the world. How are you supporting clients to provide climate mitigation and adaptation advisory services?”

David Martin, managing director of UKGI commercial and chief distribution officer, Aviva

“What more can we do to work in partnership to deliver excellent outcomes for your customers? How are you adapting your businesses to deliver for customers in the new era?”

Nick Wright, chief business development officer, Pen Underwriting

“Where can Pen do better? A simple, open question inviting honest, constructive broker feedback.

”This type of question lends itself to candid conversations that can span a multitude of areas – service, proposition, product gaps, proactive sales support and ease of doing business – wherever brokers feel we can better help them win and retain business while delivering great value to customers.

“At Pen Underwriting, we might be proud of our consistent Feefo rating, but we also work hard to retain it and know there is always more to do. If issues are highlighted, we can look to fix them.”

Nick Hobbs, chief distribution officer, Allianz Commercial

”My first question – after ’how are you doing?’ – is always ’how are we doing and where can we improve?’

”Some of what I hear in response, I’ll already know – but there are always pearls of feedback in addition. And although the Biba Conference is absolutely the right place to renew existing partnerships – and make some new ones – for 2025 specifically, I’ll also be asking what brokers are hearing from customers locally.

”We maintain an extensive branch fleet and we have ears to the ground, but we understand that business ambitions and concerns are particularly changeable at this time. The broker-insurer partnership can really have a positive influence on customers’ sense of wellbeing, so I’m looking forward to the Biba Conference conversations.”

Nicola George, managing director, Allianz Personal Broker

”The Biba Conference is all about networking and, as we’re now a year into our rebrand, I’m keen to hear from brokers about what’s working for them or what might not be working. We’re always seeking to improve and getting personal, anecdotal feedback and reactions is just as important – if not more so – than some of the more formal interactions.

”I’ll also be asking about digital transformation and personalisation – what are brokers investing in and how can we support them to stand out from the crowd?”