Report of Insurance Industry Working Group
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Issued 27 July 2009
The Insurance Industry Working Group (IIWG) today published its report into
the medium and long-term challenges facing the insurance industry.
The group was set up in October 2008 to look at the challenges and
opportunities facing the UK Insurance Industry. It is co-chaired by Chancellor
of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling and Andrew Moss, Group Chief Executive of
Aviva and includes leading figures from across the insurance sector. Its
findings will be reported to the Chancellor's High-Level Group on City
Competitiveness, which will meet later this year.
The report sets out a Vision for the UK insurance industry in 2020 as the
leading global insurance centre with an unsurpassed reputation for excellence, a
deep and constructive relationship with its customers and a close and effective
partnership with Government. The report recommends:
- Action from the insurance industry, Government and the FSA to increase
customer confidence and trust through improving financial education and
considering further steps to improve transparency, simplicity and access for
consumers.
- A partnership between the insurance industry and Government to better
manage risk in society and to explore options to increase savings and
protection provision. For example Government and industry should consider
sharing data and research findings that can help efforts to reduce the likely
impact of different risks, such as flood risk and crime.
- Work to help consumers manage financial distress, building on the
Government’s financial capability initiatives. The insurance industry should
work with Government to assess the scope for a greater industry role, where it
is commercially viable, such as helping people with the need for a retirement
income and help with long term care.
- Encouraging capital flows into the UK insurance industry by ensuring its
competitive position in the global marketplace is maintained and enhanced.
Alistair Darling said:
“The insurance industry is a vital part of the UK economy, employing around a
third of all people who work in financial services and managing almost £1.5
trillion in assets. While the industry has fared well relative to other
financial sectors in the face of the global financial crisis, it is facing the
challenge of an increasingly competitive global market. I welcome the industry’s
commitment to work in partnership with Government to improve confidence in
insurance products, enhance financial capability and further build the
competitiveness of this key British industry." Andrew Moss said:
“The insurance industry makes a great contribution to the UK economy. Taking
forward the recommendations in this report will create a stronger partnership
between Government and the industry, which is essential to help people manage
the risks of everyday life. There is a real desire for better customer
engagement through greater financial education and awareness, improved
accessibility and transparency of products and a need to attract capital to the
UK insurance industry. Taking steps now will build customer confidence and
deliver our vision to become the world’s leading insurance centre.”
Notes
1. The IIWG report can be found on the
Insurance Index
page .
2. The group has discussed a range of issues affecting the long-term
competitiveness of the UK’s insurance industry and developed a vision for the
insurance industry for 2020. Its report will be considered by the Chancellor as
chair of the High Level Group on City Competitiveness, which was set up by the
Government in 2006 to develop and support a strategy for promoting London as a
world-leading financial centre.
3. The IIWG includes representatives of life, non-life and wholesale insurers
and insurance brokers. The group is supported by secretariat provided by HM
Treasury and the Association of British Insurers. The group's members are:
Group Co-Chairs
Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Mr Andrew Moss, Group Chief Executive, Aviva
Members
Mr Tim Breedon, Group Chief Executive, Legal & General
Mr Adrian Brown, UK Chief Executive, RSA Insurance Group
Sir Sandy Crombie, Group Chief Executive, Standard Life
Mr Archie Kane, Group Executive Director, Insurance, Lloyds Banking Group
Mr Brendan McManus, UK and Ireland Chief Executive, Willis
Mr Nick Prettejohn, UK and Europe Chief Executive, Prudential
Mr Steve Taylor-Gooby, Managing Director, Towers Perrin
Dr Richard Ward, Chief Executive, Lloyd’s of London
About the Author
© Crown Copyright. Material taken from HM-Treasury. Reproduced
under the terms and conditions of the Click-Use Licence.
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Article Published/Sorted/Amended on Scopulus 2009-07-28 13:00:01 in Business Articles
