Mid-September saw the great and good of the international reinsurance market converge on the Cote D’Azur for the annual Monte Carlo Reinsurance Rendez Vous, the greatest networking event of the year and one where the champagne industry receives a significant boost to its yearly turnover.

Yours truly was there, and I thought it might be interesting to reflect on how what was being said might impact the UK market going into 2014.  I know, I know, you’re thinking- what does

I am going to talk about Aviva but the sentiments I express could apply to any of our major insurers.

I have watched intently as Aviva has been criticised in the press for the manner in which the current senior management have been acting.

Go on, I challenge you, off the top of your head, quickly remember a joke that includes the subject of mugging that is ‘humorous’.