Modern Insurance Magazine Issue 66

Dr Thomas Matthew Hudd Connell
Title: Director, Policy and Public Affairs
Title: National Technical Manager
Association: Chartered Insurance Institute
Association:
(CII)
Nationwide Bodyshop Repair
Association (NBRA)
Autism and
Employment
In May, the All-Party Parliamentary Group
for Insurance and Financial Services met to
discuss autism and employment.
Sir Robert Buckland, who published a key report
on this three years ago, talked about how simple
changes in attitudes could make a huge difference for
autistic people and fuel growth in the UK economy,
without any changes in government spending or new
legislation. He also stressed that insurance is one of the
leading sectors in enabling the employment of autistic
people, leading good practice in areas like recruitment
and training.
Methods to tackle the lack of opportunities for autistic
people include ‘strength-based training’ – not forcing
individuals into being the best person for every aspect
of a typical, generic role, but looking to build their
strengths and finding the best way to fill the gaps.
This can be done by reshaping roles within the team,
or by building on existing skills and using them in less
conventional ways.
Given the number of autistic people who are simply
not diagnosed, this approach of looking to build on
people’s strengths is particularly important. According
to research by University College London, between
150,000 and 500,000 people in England aged 20 to
49 years-old may be autistic but undiagnosed, rising to
between 250,000 and 600,000 people in England over
the age of 50.
As one particularly successful manager of an autistic
team member said, “We all have likes and dislikes,
differing strengths and conditions that affect us
personally inside and outside of work. I consciously
adjust my managerial style for every individual that
I work with, and believe this to be tremendously
beneficial for everyone - not just those who identify
with having a specific condition.”
As with so many issues, getting something right for
disabled people is the key to getting things right for
everyone.
Mike Keating
Title: CEO
Association: Managing General Agents’
Association (MGAA)
The Power of
Partnerships
There are few who would deny that the
MGA market is now seen as a fundamental
and important part of the insurance
ecosystem. In fact, MGAs’ commitment to
excellent customer service, their unrivalled
underwriting expertise and continuous
drive to innovate now set the standard for
how insurance should be transacted.
It’s been well-documented that MGAs have become
increasingly attractive to both insurers and alternative
capital, but the sector’s continued success is dependent
on the transparency, strength, and power of these
partnerships, and the sharing of the same end goal – to
provide the best possible service to clients.
In practice, however, delivering a high-quality service is
only possible when everyone involved in the insurance
value chain is totally aligned. This includes building
trust in partnerships through effective communication,
delivering on what you promise, and accepting that
there will be bumps in the road. Indeed, the power of
a partnership is often demonstrated when the going
gets tough and all the investment you have made since
inception is truly tested.
This is why, building on our 2023 theme of ‘Community
in Action’, this year’s MGAA conference will be
focused on the ‘Power of Partnerships’ – looking
at the importance of collaboration and effective
communication between MGAs, their capital partners
and their chosen distribution when it comes to driving
the future growth of the MGA sector.
Taking place on Wednesday 10 July 2024 at Old
Billingsgate, London, the conference will be packed with
insightful sessions hosted by experts from across the
market, alongside an exhibition and fantastic networking
opportunities.
The full agenda for the day is yet to be announced, but
you can visit our website and social media channels to
find out more.
MODERN INSURANCE | 35