Insurance news

Allianz Partners has become one of the first insurance companies to join the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) global network of Affiliate Members.

The UNWTO Affiliate Members network brings together key representatives from the private sector and destination management organisations, NGOs and the civil sector, and academia.

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North-west based C&C Insurance Brokers has revealed the next step in its ambitious expansion plans, bolstering its business with a new Scottish operation. C&C’s new Dumfries & Galloway function, which will open in April, will be headed up by Lauren Kerr (pictured) who has joined the business to develop new business opportunities in the Scottish region.

Kerr, who spent 13 years with Towergate, has significant experience within the transport haulage and logistics industry and will be responsible for continuing C&C’s growth strategy within the sector. Commenting on her appointment, she said she is looking forward to enjoying the freedom of working for an independent brokerage of C&C’s calibre and the opportunity to further expand its brand.

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Read more: Insurance companies on talent retention following the coronavirus pandemic

“I think that one of my unique selling points in taking on this HR director role is that I’ve been fortunate enough to have spent a lot of my career in insurance company boardrooms,” she said. “So, I can really understand how the business works which gives me a pragmatic view on how to deal with some of the cultural issues and the general people issues that there isn’t really a rulebook for.”

As terrible as the COVID crisis has been, Canton noted that it has allowed insurance businesses to really examine their working practices and look for opportunities that they might not have considered before. Over the last 12 months, she said, she has seen the emphasis on employee wellbeing across the insurance sector grow exponentially from what was already quite a strong starting position. This has long been a focus for Clear, she said, noting that when she first joined [Howard Lickens, group CEO] highlighted that the group aims to ensure it is the kind of place where people want to come to work.

The work Canton has done in leading wellbeing initiatives over the last year has been key to retaining talent and developing a strong leadership pipeline for the group. She joined with the objective of developing structured talent management processes and development policies. Clear has grown dramatically in size over the past few years, both by acquisition and organically, she said, and its new-found size requires such structure to give managers “freedom within a framework”.

“With regards to our talent pipeline, we’ve started talent profiling all our people to find out where they are in their careers and establish succession planning,” she said. “And it’s my first experience with it, but I have found that insurers are really supportive when it comes to broker leadership development as well. They actually issue programmes for brokers to [utilise] for their leadership development programme. So, you can leverage these bigger company leadership programmes for the future leaders in your business, which is great as talent is one of the key priorities for us in HR for 2021.”

Read more: BIBA ambassador on how COVID-19 has impacted talent in the broking sector

A big advantage of Clear’s growth by acquisition has been the talent that this has brought into the group, she said, and the diverse geographic spread of these deals is another reason why a structured and holistic approach to talent development is required. Some regional pockets in the group might otherwise have become isolated from professional development initiatives, but now it possible to ensure that everybody can enjoy the same opportunities.

Canton believes there is a great deal of opportunity within the insurance sector for dedicated, talented people looking to grow professionally and her key message to those people is one she heard early in her own career: “if you don’t tell me, I’m not going to know”. It sounds so simple, she said, but it is the absolute truth, and she is convinced that a career is what every individual makes of it.

“So, if you want an opportunity you have to ask for it,” she said. “And I can tell you, everybody that has come up to me and says ‘I want to do this’ or ‘I’m interested in that’, as soon as that opportunity comes up, their name is the first to pop into my head.”  

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“Offering COVID-19 protection as standard helps to give customers peace of mind they are protected should they test positive, and they have to cancel or cut short their trip. With a range of cover levels available to Tesco shoppers, we’re confident customers will find a policy that suits them and their holiday once travel at home and abroad is permitted.”

Managing the scheme is ROCK Insurance Group, while underwriting is provided by AXA Partners, which will also be in charge of claims handling and medical assistance services.

Commenting on the product launch, AXA Partners sales director Paul Moloney asserted: “It is our duty as insurers to safeguard customers’ trust; implementing solutions that provide assurance and protect what matters. We very much look forward to providing Tesco Bank customers with quality travel insurance cover both now, and when we are free of this pandemic.”

Core features of the new Tesco Bank Travel Insurance include cover for medical expenses, trip cancellation or delays, and lost or stolen baggage or money. Policyholders can choose from three tiers of cover, all with coronavirus protection as standard, with a range of add-ons also available.

“We are incredibly excited to be partnering with Tesco Bank to launch travel insurance to its customers,” commented ROCK Insurance Group managing director Antony Martin.

“ROCK is providing Tesco Bank’s customers with a wide range of travel insurance products and services that are available online or via a dedicated call centre, meaning that more people will be protected and have the confidence to travel as soon as restrictions have eased.”

Cover is offered to individuals, couples, families, and groups of up to 12, and can be purchased on a single trip or annual basis. 

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