Introduction by Voice of Insurance Mark Geoghegan:

Asta is the largest third-party manager of Lloyd’s Syndicates by quite a long way.

As such, today’s guest Lorraine Harfitt CEO of Asta, almost certainly has a better view of what types of new business entrepreneurs and major insurers alike are looking to set up.

She also has the best view of Lloyd’s changing appetites around what type of businesses it is looking to allow into – and keep out of – the marketplace.

So this podcast is a great temperature gauge on the Lloyd’s and wider international insurance and reinsurance markets.

I’m happy to report that I found Lorraine full of optimism and enthusiasm, with a long and diverse pipeline of business in prospect on many fronts, be it new Syndicates in boxes, Captive Syndicates, traditional syndicates, other alternative vehicles or MGAs.

As Lorraine puts it, there is always a fear that the appeal of the Lloyd’s and London Market may one day wane. On this showing there is no evidence of this happening any time soon.

Lorraine is an industry professional of vast experience who has worked her way from the Lloyd’s Policy Signing Office in Chatham all the way up into the heart of the market. She knows this business inside and out, she’s great company and this podcast is packed with lots of really nuanced observations.

Listen to the podcast here :

NOTES:

Lorraine mentions a Julian. That is of course Julian Tighe, former CEO of Asta and now its Group Director and Chief Commercial Officer at Davies Insurance Services.

ICAS, the UK forerunner of the Solvency II regime, stood for Individual Capital Adequacy Standards.