BIBA announces changes to its board

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has announced changes to its main Board which largely consists of members who serve for a maximum term of six years on the board and as chair of one of the association’s advisory boards.¹

The governance structure of BIBA, which sought successfully to bring its operation into the hands of its members, was created after Steve White was appointed CEO in 2013.  A number of members have sat on the board from its beginning and have reached the end of their maximum term, bringing about changes that take effect from 5 May 2020.

BIBA Chair, Jonathan Evans said: “Over the last seven years having a structure that allows BIBA to be run by members for members has contributed to our effectiveness.  Having various members on our Board gives us the opportunity to understand where best to focus our resources.  I am immensely grateful to those brokers who have helped steer us for the last six years and wish them continued success.  We welcome the new board members and the contributions and indeed challenges they will bring to help BIBA navigate the coming years.”

Board changes

Paul Dickson CEO of Innovation Broking takes up the position of Chair of the Smaller Brokers Advisory Board, with Karen Weir of Weir Insurance as his Deputy Chair.  Both are appointed to the BIBA Board in place of Andrew Gibbons of Mason Owen and Ashley Rogoff of Ashley Page.

Dickson has more than 40 years insurance broking experience in Lloyd’s and in the provincial market. He launched Innovation Broking in 2015 and is also Chair of broker network group TechAssure.  Weir has experience in both insurer and broking sectors and is MD of family business Weir Insurance in Northumberland, as well as an active member of the local CII.

Both will bring a wealth of insurance to the smaller broker advisory board and will ably represent smaller broker interests in developing the direction of BIBA.  Paul Dickson will also Chair BIBA’s Finance Committee.

Dickson said: “Brokers with under 100 employees make up the bulk of BIBA’s 1,800 member firms. BIBA supports those firms by taking up the issues that matter to them, from regulation, to flood re, to professional indemnity cover for the construction sector. And in today’s exceptionally challenging times the role of BIBA is as important as ever. I will do all I can to support BIBA’s continued effectiveness.”

Weir added: “I am looking forward to continuing to work with BIBA and help represent the hundreds of smaller brokers in the UK who operate at the ‘coalface’ of serving UK businesses. I’m delighted to be an active part of the work BIBA does for members.”

To represent the interests of larger brokers, Carl Evans, Group Chief Executive at Griffiths & Armour takes over from Peter Blanc of Aston Lark to lead the Larger Brokers’ Advisory Board.  Evans has spent his insurance career at Griffiths & Armour and is a passionate client advocate with an in-depth understanding of their commercial risk.  This understanding of risk could not be more appropriate as the sector faces its current serious challenges.

Evans said about his appointment: “I’m delighted and flattered to be asked to Chair the Larger Brokers’ Advisory Board, and to join the BIBA Board. My career background is in Professional Indemnity Insurance, and my focus has always been to best understand professional risk, and the best practice standards that minimise risk and on providing the best possible support when things go wrong. I’m looking forward to using my personal experience for the benefit of BIBA and its members.” 

Jane Kielty, Managing Director of Aon’s UK retail business has recently taken over from Paul Anscombe of Seventeen Group at the helm of BIBA’s Insurance Brokers’ Standard Council and joins the Board.  Jane is a great advocate of careers in broking and was recognised early in her career winning BIBA’s Young Broker of the Year in 2003 and more recently as Business Insurance EMEA Women to watch.

She commented “I am delighted to be joining the BIBA Board and will do everything in my power to help to raise the profile, standards and value of brokers as well as trying to make sure that we provide the voice and support that smaller brokers need to ensure we preserve the diversity of strength and expertise that we have within our profession.”

Chris Rolland Group CEO of travel insurance specialist, AllClear takes the chair of the Networks and MGA Advisory Board from Tim Ryan of Ryans Insurance.  Chris has worked with BIBA over many years as a member, a successful scheme provider and a passionate campaigner for better access to insurance.  He joined AllClear in 2017 and has worked in financial services for over 20 years.  

Of his appointment Rolland said: “I have long admired BIBA’s work representing brokers’ best interests. I’ve worked closely with them on many areas. Specifically in respect to improving access to travel insurance for those with medical conditions in response to the FCA’s call which will result in a real difference. I am both honoured and delighted to be asked to join the BIBA Board. I’m particularly energised to help raise the profile of brokers and BIBA’s other important campaigning issues."

BIBA has also made an internal appointment to the Board.  Lindsay Campbell who has more than 20 years’ experience managing BIBA’s annual conference and exhibition while in the role of Executive Assistant and Company Secretary, takes up a new role of Conference Director a main Board position.

Steve White, BIBA CEO said: “Lindsay makes an outstanding contribution to BIBA. Her appointment to the Board comes as she calls on her vast experience to take on operational responsibility for our annual conference.” 

Campbell concluded: “Our members’ are at the heart of everything we do at BIBA and I’m very looking forward to being able to impart some of the knowledge I have built up over the last twenty years to help represent members’ interests.”

BIBA’s Board Members

• Jonathan Evans; Non Exec Chair
• Laura High; Yutree Insurance, Deputy Chair
• Caroline Barr; Non Exec Director
• Steve White; BIBA CEO
• Graeme Trudgill; BIBA Executive Director
• Lindsay Campbell; BIBA Conference Director
• John Batty; Bridge Insurance Brokers
• Ian Cooper; Lockton Companies
• Paul Dickson; Innovation Broking
• Carl Evans; Griffiths & Armour
• Jane Kielty; Aon
• Chris Rolland; All Clear
• Karen Weir; Weir Insurance

Authored by BIBA