Rediscovering Sussex ... and the Lloyd's brand

As I journeyed through some very picturesque parts of West Sussex to visit two potential new coverholders it occurred to me that my "reverse-commute" seemed a little out of step with the routine for so many in our market who undertake the daily commute into town. 

Every day brokers and underwriters from Sussex commute into London Victoria en route to the City. As they depart from places like East Grinstead and Horsham, I wonder how many of these insurance industry commuters are aware that some of our business partners are very close to home and, in some cases, are located almost on their doorsteps. Indeed many of these intermediaries are situated in the high streets, business parks and even in shopping centres right in the heart of their local commuter communities. 

After my meetings in East Grinstead and Horsham my confidence in these types of intermediaries was again re-affirmed. These coverholders are potentially a great source of business, particularly those specialising in scheme/affinity/association-type risks. 

However, the lack of awareness of Lloyd's, amongst intermediaries and their clients appears to be a real issue and this isn't the first time that I have encountered this problem. The Lloyd's brand is highly prized and valued and in many ways it is our single most important asset, so it is disappointing to learn that it isn't always used to its fullest extent. 

In a nutshell it seems that some clients are simply unaware that they were insured with Lloyd's underwriters!  Lloyd's brand is something to be proud of and there are easy guidelines which show you how to use it in a way that compliments managing agents' brand assets. The brand is so important to Lloyd's and it should be equally important to our clients and the intermediaries selling the products to them.

It seems that to our colonial cousins in USA, Australia and Canada the Lloyd's brand is held in the highest esteem and intermediaries are very keen to make their clients aware that they have purchased a Lloyd's policy. 

Much closer to home, in the home counties of South East England, it appears that at times the brand (and ultimately the security of the policy) hardly gets a mention. I'd never really thought that much about the brand not being used (usually it is misuse that is more troubling) but there's plenty of time to think about such matters when your car is stuck behind a tractor. 

As the trains from these commuter towns speed (or trundle) into town, it is worth reflecting not only on the potential business partners that we leave behind us each day but also on the extent that the Lloyd's brand is utilised and understood outside the City of London.

Next stop - the Midlands.