Rosemary Beaver Installed as First Woman Master

Rosemary Beaver was installed as Master of the Company for 2019-20 at Common Hall. She told the Members that her priority would be to “Invest in the Future”.
 
“To Invest in the Future we need to ensure that our Fellowship of Insurance Leaders will remain significant and relevant to our industry, profession, and City of the future. Thus, to evidence that our profession continues to contribute to Society - and is worthy of Trust.
 
“To achieve this, I will work hard to ensure that we invest in the future leaders of our Company. I will try to ensure the membership continues to broaden so that it includes talented and leading individuals from all stages of their career – younger as well as older.  And also that our activities and events offer development and fellowship opportunities, to all members at different stages in their careers. And finally that we invest in mentoring young students and attracting young talent into insurance”.
 
“Thus together, we will build and grow a  Company,  that is Rooted in the Past, Vibrant in the Present and Committed to the Future”.
 
Common Hall also saw David Sales installed as Senior Warden and Nick Dunlop as Junior Warden. The Company also admitted seven new Court Assistants: Sally Bramall, Jane Evans, Sara Fardon,  Simon Hearn, Dave Matcham, Malcolm Newman, and Andrew Torrance.
 
Past Master Terry Masters gave a comprehensive review of the Company’s 40th anniversary year. In particular, he highlighted the launch of the 40th Anniversary Fund.
 
 “The loss of our hall spurred us on to launch the 40th Anniversary Fund. This fund has been set up to provide a foundation so that my successors have a base from which to consider a permanent home for our Livery for generations to come. Many of you have donated or told us you have left a legacy and thank you so much. For those who haven’t please consider doing so. We wish for the Worshipful Company of Insurers to exist and remain relevant for many generations and a permanent base is a key part of this strategy”.
 
Members also heard from John Young, Chairman of the Charitable Trust, about the significant expansion of its support for a wide range of good causes during the year and from the Hon. Treasurer, Simon Byrne, about the Court’s diligent stewardship of the Company's funds over the last year.
 
The evening concluded with a buffet supper.

Lord Mayor’s Show: History and Fun All Wrapped Up in One Day

The Lord Mayor’s Show on Saturday 9 November will once again see the WCI provide a wonderfully welcoming base for members, family and friends at Painters' Hall.
 
This event, the oldest parade in the country, is steeped in history and offers a fantastic day out for all the family. Street-side viewing is free-of-charge. You do not need tickets! We know from experience that our members all appreciate a warm, welcoming base for the day and so we have made special arrangements to help our members and their children, grandchildren and guests make the 2019 event a very special and memorable day.
 
Last year’s parade was a huge success for the Company with its eye-catching giant balloon with the proud slogan “London Insures The World” floating above the parade and it will be featured again this year..
 
You will be able to enjoy a breakfast roll and tea and coffee before watching the parade pass nearby. the parade. On your return to the Hall you will enjoy a welcome glass of Champagne, a two-course buffet lunch and celebration cake. There will also be a paid bar should you wish to socialise after lunch. The ticket will also entitle you to use the Hall as your base until mid-afternoon.
 
The tickets are excellent value at just £55 with a special price for a family ticket for two adults and three children under 12 of only £120. Full details of how to book are on the website. Click Here.
 
It’s great fun, and an opportunity to support our Livery team walking in the parade as well as see one of the oldest civic events in the world.

An Abundance of Precious Assets

The guest speaker at the dinner was Julian James, one of the best known figures in the London insurance market and newly installed as Master of the Girdlers’ Company. He spoke of the time he and Rosemary worked together at Lloyd’s, especially of how he rarely stuck to the meticulous briefs she prepared for him when giving speeches.
 
Many of our new Members and Liverymen and Liverywomen attended the dinner and it was preceded by the Annual Church Service at St Lawrence Jewry-next-Guildhall led by the Company’s Honorary Chaplain, the Revd Canon David Parrott.

iNED looks to 2020 and Beyond

“The Direction of the Market in 2020 and beyond” is the title of the final iNED forum for this year. It will be hosted by sponsors Mazars in the auditorium at their Tower Bridge House offices on Monday 11 November.
 
Always one of our most popular events, this annual “State of the Market” forum brings together three of its key “movers and shakers” representing the Lloyd’s and Company markets and the London broking community. This year’s distinguished panel comprises John Neal, CEO of Lloyd’s (pictured), Malcolm Newman, Chairman of the International Underwriting Association and CEO SCOR EMEA, and Dominic Christian, Global Chairman of Aon Reinsurance Solutions.
 
The Forum will run from 3.30 pm with drinks and a networking opportunity from 5.30 pm. The registration fee is £50 and places can be booked through the website.

iWIN teams up with iCAN

iWIN has teamed up with iCAN (Insurance Cultural Awareness Network) for a BAME event entitled “Turning Rhetoric into Action” on Thursday 21 November.
 
iWIN and iCAN are proud to be working together on this event where they want to highlight positive stories, challenges faced and provide practical takeaways to continue to encourage positive action in the insurance industry.

There will be a panel discussion followed by the opportunity to network with colleagues in the insurance industry.
It will take place at the office of sponsors Markel in Fenchurch Street, starting at 5.30 pm. It is free of charge but advance booking is encouraged .

Help for Heroes Tops £25,000

For the sixth consecutive year, a team of keen cyclists from the Worshipful Company of Insurers and friends, took on the Ride London cycling event to support Help for Heroes.
 
This year’s team raised £7610, with matched funding from the WCI of £3000, giving a grand total of £10,610 for its 2019 efforts and this was presented to James Fernando, Philanthropy, Trusts & Foundations Executive for Help for Heroes, at the recent WCI Fish & Chip Lunch at the Little Ship Club.
 
It takes the sum raised for Help the Heroes over the last six years to £25,000.
 
Speaking afterwards Mr Fernando said: “Could you please pass on my thanks to all the members of The Worshipful Company of Insurers for such a warm welcome from such an active group of supporters. Having recently joined the philanthropy and trusts team at Help for Heroes it was great to get to know each of you personally and hear of the enthusiasm you each have towards supporting the charity”.
 
As well as a cheque, he was presented with a WCI cycling T-Shirt by Team WCI organiser Karl Jarvis and the Clerk, Sarah Clark (pictured).

Toast the Christmas Season With Colleagues

RNLI to be Master’s Charity

The Master, Rosemary Beaver, has chosen the Royal National Lifeboat Institution as her charity for the forthcoming year.
 
It is hoped that a female lifeboat crew member will be able to speak at one of the winter lunches and that a visit can be arranged to the Tower Lifeboat Station. This operates from Lifeboat Pier on the River Thames and is the RNLI’s busiest lifeboat station. Because of the need for even faster response times, there is a crew on station around the clock.

Masterful Management … of Sheep!

Future Events - Make a Date