British Insurance Brokers Association How BIBA helps your business One voice Strength in numbers The best insurance is a BIBA broker www.biba.org.uk 0844 77 00 266
What our members say Mike Slack, Temporary Cover Ltd As a smaller intermediary, our main concerns are keeping abreast with how the political and regulatory structure is going to affect the future of our business. Unfortunately, we don t have the resources to lobby MPs, meet the regulator, carry out research and do the intensive work that is necessary to make sure future regulation and laws are workable in our business. BIBA s input, which largely goes unseen, is a vital part of why we support BIBA and the work it does. The training facilities offered by BIBA are unrivalled and wouldn t exist without the support of a large number of businesses. Individually, it would be impossible for us to obtain the appropriate quality of training facilities. BIBA s input does make a difference. Without a strong trade association, we would have little hope of our voice being heard. Kevin Hancock, The Davis Group Belonging to BIBA and playing an active role has been both beneficial and very rewarding for our business. The Davis Group is an advocate of regional networking and, as a past regional chairman I, and my colleagues, have gained so much from the opportunities that our involvement with BIBA has given us. In particular, we have found the compliance support and guidance available from the team at BIBA outstanding and the regular updates on technical, regulatory and industry issues on the website are very supportive. To sum up our membership, we receive excellent representation on a national and European level, support on all technical and regulatory issues, industry guidance and national promotion of the benefits of using a broker and the value of advice BIBA really is the voice of the broking industry. David Perry, CCV Group As a group, we encourage BIBA in the work it does to bring much-needed help and support to its members in the form of schemes, training and compliance advice, but we also actively support its work for the benefit of the whole broking community with the legislators, regulators and in the corridors of power. Much of this work is done out of the spotlight and without great public displays following successful campaigns. Take a look at the 2008 Manifesto and you ll see that BIBA s priorities for the year were not only right on the money but, that their influence can be seen in all areas when considering the eventual outcomes. The coming year sees huge challenges for our industry, with a great deal of uncertainty in the global economy. BIBA is already working with the people who are in a position of influence, ensuring (as usual) that the UK broking community has a collective voice where and when it matters. I, for one, am delighted to know that this is the case.
BIBA Monthly Activity Calendar 2008 January BIBA launches first Manifesto of key lobbying issues. BIBA responds to five Government consultations, including those from the DVLA, Home Office, FSA, and HM Treasury BIBA successfully calls for an FSA review of the regulation of comparison sites BIBA calls on MPs and peers for better criteria flood defences and reassessment of age BIBA meets nine MPs to discuss flood issues and uninsured driving BIBA responds to the Government s Lessons Learned review into floods BIBA advises House of Lords on aggregator issues resulting in a Parliamentary question BIBA issues seven regulatory advice notes to members BIBA responds to the Treasury on strengthening financial stability and depositor protection BIBA and the CII launch a national faceto-face training broker programme with venues nationwide throughout 2008 FEBRUARY BIBA meets MPs to discuss flooding and its Manifesto BIBA meets Which? magazine to promote brokers Belfast and Belfast roadshow BIBA attends Associate Parliamentary Flood Prevention Group BIBA attends All-Party Insurance Group Lords, MPs and industry representatives in attendance BIBA issues four regulatory advice notes to members BIBA responds to Information Commissioner s office consultation on use and sharing of personal information Merseyside and West Midlands MARCH BIBA meets two MPs to discuss flooding and age criteria Howden insurance brokers appointed to Professional Indemnity panel BIBA responds to Sir Michael Pitt s interim report on 2007 floods Members views requested on FSA discussion paper on mandating commission disclosure to commercial customers BIBA responds to FSA consultation on regulatory regime for travel agents BIBA interviewed by BBC News 24 TV live Compliance Rules edition two published BIBA issues five regulatory advice notes BIBA participates in Government working party on flood and influences Pitt Report recommendations BIBA s lobbying results in a level playing field for brokers on the sale of travel insurance BIBA responds to the Treasury consultation on Lloyd s modernisation Anglia, East Midlands, West of England JULY BIBA Guide to the Prevention of Financial Crime launched BIBA wins Trade Association Forum best sector representation award BIBA meets with six different publications to represent brokers BIBA responds to DEFRA consultation paper Flooding Next Steps BIBA responds to the Treasury consultation paper on deregulating retail freight forwarding insurance BIBA meets MPs and Lords to discuss financial capability and age discrimination MP tables Parliamentary question on continuous insurance enforcement following meeting with BIBA BIBA issues 14 regulatory advice notes to members BIBA responds to the Treasury on a special resolution regime BIBA launches new version of broker ASSESS on 02/07/2008 AUGUST BIBA contributes to insurance supplement in property magazine BIBA issues four regulatory advice notes to members on the website BIBA meets with the Treasury to discuss commission disclosure BIBA formally responds to the Treasury paper Transparency as a regulatory tool BIBA joins judging panel for the Insurance Age UK Broker Awards SEPTEMBER BIBA meets with the Department for Transport Minister and Belfast Consumer Council to represent members BIBA responds to Government consultation on pleural plaques Announces delivering value as 2009 conference theme BIBA meets two MSPs and is invited to advise on Equality Bill BIBA issues seven regulatory advice notes to members on the website BIBA influences Government Equality Bill and Government commitment to continuous insurance enforcement BIBA responds to Driving Standards Agency on Learning To Drive Manchester, Merseyside Compliance Forum BIBA meets with Thatcham (Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre) BIBA meets with leading software house
april BIBA meets the DVLA to discuss driving licence records BIBA interviewed on BBC Watchdog BIBA meets five MPs to discuss flood issues and Better Regulation Executive BIBA invited to join the Treasury s Equality Bill Working Group BIBA joins the Associate Parliamentary Flood Prevention Group BIBA meets the Treasury to discuss engagement with wholesale insurance sector BIBA conference and exhibition held in Glasgow most popular event outside London, with 2,424 attendees BIBA issues five regulatory advice notes MAY BIBA joins new Motor Insurance Bureau continuous insurance enforcement project board BIBA responds to six consultation papers including ones from DEFRA, Competition Commission, Ministry of Justice and Department for Transport. BIBA successfully lobbies the FSA to conduct a review into aggregator websites BIBA advises Which? on reviewing insurance products BIBA visits Scotland s media to promote brokers New BIBA website launches BIBA meets three MPs to discuss uninsured driving, Pitt Report and age-related issues BIBA proposes industry solution for commission disclosure BIBA issues six regulatory advice notes to members BIBA meets Better Regulation Executive to discuss commission disclosure BIBA responds to DEFRA s consultation on environmental liability JUNE BIBA meets with three MPs to discuss the Equality Bill, flooding, age-related issues and electronic certificates BIBA welcomes the final report Learning Lessons from the 2007 floods BIBA provides broker insurance solution to Government Equality Bill BIBA responds to FSA discussion paper on transparency and Competition Commission consultation on payment protection insurance Professional Indemnity Initiative Volume Three published Joint CII Merseyside and Greater Manchester regional event BIBA issues 12 regulatory advice notes BIBA responds to FSA discussion paper Transparency as a regulatory tool Northern Ireland, West of England OCTOBER BIBA meets Scottish media to promote brokers BIBA meets MP to discuss electronic insurance certificates BIBA responds to two DEFRA consultations on flooding BIBA Yorkshire and Northern one day event and exhibition Weathering the Storm BIBA issues four regulatory advice notes to members on the website BIBA responds to the Department for Transport on learning to drive Central, South East, West Midlands NOVEMBER BIBA Scotland regional annual one-day roadshow BIBA West of England joint one-day event with the Chartered Insurance Institute BIBA/CII Anglia Market Forum BIBA has met with the FSA 37 times so far in 2008 BIBA successfully lobbies Government to commit to electronic motor insurance certificates BIBA Scotland Merseyside
Some benefits of BIBA membership Being a not-for-profit organisation, BIBA always puts the needs and aspirations of its members first. BIBA s board consists entirely of practising brokers and intermediaries, both large and small, who ensure that the association is run for the benefit of its membership. Benefits of membership include: High level representation Compliance advice and guidance Technical support Broker ASSESS Training and setting industry standards Schemes and facilities Information Regional structure Annual conference Consumer helpline and online find a broker BIBA represents the interests of its members to a wide range of stakeholders including Government, the regulator, the media, the insurance industry and customers. Following BIBA s successful first Manifesto in January 2008, members have been consulted on the major lobbying and manifesto issues for 2009. These have been agreed as: BIBA s key principles are to promote: The interests of insurance brokers, other intermediaries, and their customers to Government and other stakeholders The availability of, and access to, insurance protection The understanding and value of advice and where it can be obtained The need for effective risk management and insurance, including business continuity Campaigning issues Access to and availability of insurance Business resilience Financial capability UK and Europe Regulation Motor
Main BIBA contacts Eric Galbraith Chief Executive 020 7397 0201 galbraithe@biba.org.uk Peter Staddon Head of Technical Services 020 7397 0204 staddonp@biba.org.uk Steve White Head of Compliance & Training 020 7397 0222 whites@biba.org.uk Graeme Trudgill Technical & Corporate Affairs Executive 020 7397 0218 trudgillg@biba.org.uk Paul Garland BIBA Membership Manager 07808 166 124 garlandp@biba.org.uk Kirsty Gordon Membership Coordinator 020 7397 0224 gordonk@biba.org.uk Leighann Burtrand Communications Manager 020 7397 0223 burtrandl@biba.org.uk Steve Foulsham Technical Services Manager 020 7397 0234 foulshams@biba.org.uk Vannessa Young Compliance Coordinator 020 7397 0233 youngv@biba.org.uk Doreen Campbell Office Manager 020 7397 0219 campbelld@biba.org.uk Lindsay Campbell Executive Assistant 020 7397 0221 campbelll@biba.org.uk BIBA House 14 Bevis Marks London EC3A 7NT Member Helpline: 0844 77 00 266 Fax: 020 7626 9676 Email: enquiries@biba.org.uk