IT 18-21 final:Layout 1
2
Insurance Times 3 December 2009 19 18 3 December 2009 Insurance Times IT PACK FINALE Rising stars One year, ten cities and 110 young brokers from 70 companies later, Insurance Times’s whirlwind tour of the UK came to a thrilling finale last week at Vinopolis on London’s South Bank. Twelve of the best and brightest new faces in the industry joined Insurance Times and sponsor Aviva to make their case to win the coveted IT Pack member of the year award. The stars of the future readily admitted to suffering from nerves as they prepared to present to Aviva sales and marketing director John Kitson, corporate sales director Janice Deakin, Insurance Times editor Tom Broughton and celebrity guest Nick Hewer, Sir Alan Sugar’s right-hand man from the BBC’s The Apprentice. The 12 hopefuls did themselves proud, nonetheless, with presentations outlining their thoughts on the broker market and their own ambitions. They had been chosen from the many great brokers that joined Insurance Times on the IT Pack journey. Over the past year, there have been many lively discussions over the issues facing young brokers at the start of their careers, including training, professionalism and the recession. There was also much consideration of wider market topics, and the dynamics of individual regions. Brokers from firms of all sizes spoke passionately about their chosen career paths, and many had impressive ambitions for the future. After a challenging morning, it was time for a relaxing lunch and some networking, before an entertaining speech from Hewer. He regaled the audience with tales of his colourful career, and insights into what it’s really like working for Sir Alan. All too soon, the day came to an end. It was tough, but the judges have made their decision – and the winner of the 2009 IT Pack will be revealed at the Insurance Times Awards on 4 December. IT PACK FINALE London 28 October Romford 13 October London finale 20 November THE FINALE London – 27 May Croydon – 9 July Brighton – 9 September Belfast – 24 June Manchester – 2 July Oxford – 22 July Birmingham – 16 September Cardiff – 10 June Leeds – 7 October ‘Aviva was delighted to partner with Insurance Times on this new venture and, having seen it first hand, I think it’s got something really special and unique about it’ ‘Hearing the IT Pack finalists present with passion and enthusiasm about what they've achieved was humbling. It showed the broking industry future is in good hands, and Aviva looks forward to being involved again in 2010’ JOHN KITSON, AVIVA
Transcript of IT 18-21 final:Layout 1
Insurance Times 3 December 2009 1918 3 December 2009 Insurance Times
IT PACK FINALE
Rising stars
One year, ten cities and 110 youngbrokers from 70 companies later,Insurance Times’s whirlwind tour of theUK came to a thrilling finale last week atVinopolis on London’s South Bank.
Twelve of the best and brightest newfaces in the industry joined InsuranceTimes and sponsor Aviva to make theircase to win the coveted IT Pack memberof the year award. The stars of the futurereadily admitted to suffering from nervesas they prepared to present to Aviva salesand marketing director John Kitson,corporate sales director Janice Deakin,Insurance Times editor Tom Broughtonand celebrity guest Nick Hewer, Sir AlanSugar’s right-hand man from the BBC’sThe Apprentice.
The 12 hopefuls did themselves proud,nonetheless, with presentationsoutlining their thoughts on the brokermarket and their own ambitions.
They had been chosen from the manygreat brokers that joined InsuranceTimes on the IT Pack journey. Over thepast year, there have been many livelydiscussions over the issues facing youngbrokers at the start of their careers,including training, professionalism andthe recession. There was also muchconsideration of wider market topics,and the dynamics of individual regions.Brokers from firms of all sizes spokepassionately about their chosen careerpaths, and many had impressiveambitions for the future.
After a challenging morning, it wastime for a relaxing lunch and somenetworking, before an entertainingspeech from Hewer. He regaled theaudience with tales of his colourfulcareer, and insights into what it’s reallylike working for Sir Alan.
All too soon, the day came to an end. Itwas tough, but the judges have madetheir decision – and the winner of the2009 IT Pack will be revealed at theInsurance Times Awards on 4 December.
IT PACK FINALE
London28 October
Romford13 October
London finale20 November
THE FINALE
London – 27 May
Croydon – 9 July
Brighton – 9 September
Belfast – 24 June
Manchester – 2 July
Oxford – 22 July
Birmingham – 16 September
Cardiff – 10 June
Leeds – 7 October
‘Aviva was delighted to partner with Insurance Timeson this new venture and, having seen it first hand, Ithink it’s got something really special and uniqueabout it’
‘Hearing the IT Pack finalists present with passionand enthusiasm about what they've achieved washumbling. It showed the broking industry future is ingood hands, and Aviva looks forward to beinginvolved again in 2010’
JOHN KITSON, AVIVA
IT_18-21 final:Layout 1 1/12/09 15:46 Page 18
Insurance Times 3 December 2009 21
IT PACK FINALE
20 3 December 2009 Insurance Times
IT PACK FINALE
Despite fearing the worst, I have to admit that to be holed up for three hours with Sir Alan Sugar’s chief henchman was nothing other than a pleasure. I hope that Janiceand John would agree that, after the initial feeling of being a little star-struck, to watchNick Hewer contribute to the interview process of our 12 IT Pack regional finalists wastruly fascinating.
We agreed the terms of engagement from the outset. It wasn’t to be a fierce cross-examination like in The Apprentice whereby Nick adopts a grumpy demeanour whilethe candidates squirm under pressure, or where over-the-top questions are launchedpunishingly during the final interviews.
But we had to select a winner and there had to be some scrutiny. In the end, it turnedout to be a very difficult, close decision. Nick was quiet but did an excellent job ofpinpointing a particular fact to be probed further or summing up expertly what ourfinalists had achieved both professionally and personally.
And the comedy was not lost either when Nick would pull one of his trademarkperplexed looks during some of the interactions. But what came through loud and clearwas the energy and excitement from the IT Pack finalists. Each and every one waspassionate about their businesses, their careers, and most tellingly their clients andtheir role in the success of their business. It was heartening too to see Nickacknowledge this passion and dish out some firm words of praise and informed advice.
I would like to again thank Aviva for their support in the success of the IT Pack. And Ilook forward to seeing not only all of our IT Pack finalists at the Insurance TimesAwards on 4 December for the unveiling of our winner, but to again see all of the manyfaces who participated in the success of our events around the country.
Tom Broughton, editor-in-chief
THE FINALE
KALI ALLEN New business co-ordinator, London market,Towergate
SAMANTHA JAMES Account executive, Eastwood & Partners
EMILY SOPPETCommercial account handler, Alexander Miller
STEPHEN CARELLABusiness development account manager, Kwik-Fit Insurance Services
NOELA KENNA Commercial insurance account executive,Dickson & Co Insurances
MATTHEW STRINGER Managing director, Bloomhill Insurance Solutions
VICTORIA GOODWINAccount manager, Aon
OLIVER LAWTON Insurance consultant, Shearwater Insurance Services
MATTHEW STUTTARD Account executive, Rockford Insurance Brokers(Swinton Commercial)
ILA HEWITTAccount and senior claims handler, Thompson & Partners
CHRISTOPHER MILNESAccount executive, professional risks, Heath Lambert
JAMES WOOLLAM Director, Hayes Parsons Ltd
PH
OTO
GR
AP
HY
BY
DA
VID
LE
VIN
E
IT_18-21 final:Layout 1 1/12/09 15:47 Page 20
