Tenth Annual Lloyd’s US Broker Programme Kicks Off

The five day event hosts a mix of educational and market sessions designed to educate US brokers about how Lloyd’s works and strengthen transatlantic business ties.

Sean McGovern, Director, North America and General Counsel, said, “The US is our largest market and over 40% of our business comes to London from the there. The programme is an opportunity for brokers to build relationships with the Lloyd’s market and see firsthand how the market operates. I look forward to personally welcoming the participants.”

The group will meet Lloyd’s Chairman, Lord Levene, and also attend seminars with a number of senior executives covering Lloyd’s business strategy, financial performance, and compliance issues.

The brokers will also spend time in the Lloyd’s Underwriting Room, observing how business is transacted, both by shadowing a broker for a day and also sitting with an underwriter at a box. They will also attend networking events with Miller, Hiscox, Beazley and Price Forbes, and have a chance to see some sites in London.

Hank Watkins, President of Lloyd’s America, said, "Lloyd's appreciates the important role brokers play in the distribution channel. We realise that, as client advocates, brokers have options and will seek insurance solutions that best meet the needs of their clients.  The US Broker Programme was established to enhance existing and develop new relationships with key members of the US broker community, in the process giving them the tools needed to access and work effectively with the Lloyd's market."

This year’s participants come from a range of professional backgrounds and classes of business, representing every region of America. Laurel Ulrich, Managing Director, Brokerage Leader, Aon Risk Services in Los Angeles, California, is one of the participants selected this year. She said, “I am thrilled to have been accepted to the Lloyd’s US broker programme. Lloyd’s represents the most prestigious and historical side of our business. So much of our business is placed through Lloyd’s that it will be very beneficial to gain a greater understanding of the process.”

Past participants have commented that the programme provided valuable insight into how Lloyd’s works, while helping to develop their networks of professional contacts. Christopher Mulvey, a broker from Aon in Houston, Texas, participated in the programme last year. He said, "The US Broker Programme is one of the highlights of my career. I believe every insurance broker needs to walk into Lloyd’s to fully appreciate everything it has to offer." 

Another past participant, Randy Fuller, Vice President of Guy Carpenter in Atlanta, Georgia, said,  "The connections that I made with the other US brokers participating in the programme were very memorable and made for a fun and exciting week."

To qualify for the programme, participants needed to have a minimum of five years in the insurance or reinsurance business and demonstrate a strong commitment to the business. Each participant had to be nominated by his or her firm and complete a short application, and a Lloyd’s panel selected the final attendees.