The Association Of British Insurers

Our Director General
Stephen Haddrill, Director General, ABI
Stephen Haddrill took up his post as the new Director General of the ABI on 3 May 2005.
Stephen aims to ensure that the ABI is highly influential with Government and regulators on behalf of all its members. He believes in working in partnership with the ABI's stakeholders to build that influence whilst always making clear where ABI stands.
Previously, Stephen was Director General, Fair Markets Group at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), where he was responsible for the development of the framework within which business operates, including the competition and consumer framework, employment relations, company law, women and equality issues, and also trade and European issues. He held this position from January 2002.
Prior to this, from 1998 until Spring 2002, he held other positions within the DTI, including Director of Employment Relations, and Consumer Affairs. From 1994 to 1998 he was a director of the DTI抯 Competitiveness Unit, a central policy team reporting directly to the Secretary of State.
From 1990 to 1994 he left the UK civil service to work for the Hong Kong Government as a member of the Governor抯 Central Policy Unit.
Stephen studied history and economics at Oxford University and joined the Department of Energy in 1978 where he held a number of posts, principally on nuclear issues and as Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Energy.
In October 2007, Stephen was appointed Vice President and Chair of the Board of the Institute for Employment Studies, the UK's leading employment and human resources experts.
An image of Stephen Haddrill is available for download (890kb, zip File)


Our Role

The ABI (Association of British Insurers) represents the collective interests of the UK抯 insurance industry. The Association speaks out on issues of common interest; helps to inform and participate in debates on public policy issues; and also acts as an advocate for high standards of customer service in the insurance industry.The Association has around 400 companies in membership. Between them, they provide 94% of domestic insurance services sold in the UK. ABI member companies account for almost 20 per cent of investments in the London stock market.
The ABI抯 policy work is organised around four main policy departments: General Insurance; Life and Pensions; Financial Regulation and Taxation and Investment Affairs.In addition, the ABI has an expert Research and Statistics Department, and represents the insurance industry to external audiences through its Media and Political Affairs and European and International teams.The ABI organises a large number of conferences, seminars and other events for the insurance industry. It also publishes research reports and policy documents. The Association was formed in 1985 when a number of existing industry bodies joined together, notably the British Insurance Association, the Life Offices?Association, the Fire Offices Committee and the Accident Offices Association.Previously, the UK insurance industry was represented only by these specialist associations. The creation of the ABI meant that all sectors of the insurance company market could now speak through a single organisation.
The ABI is funded by the subscriptions of member companies. The ABI抯 Board, chaired by Archie Kane, Group Executive Director, Insurance and Investments, Lloyds TSB Group, governs the organisation. The work of the major policy departments is overseen by the General Insurance Management Committee, the Life and Pensions Management Committee and the Investment Committee.
The ABI is based at 51 Gresham Street in the City of London and currently employs around 100 staff.


Our Vision and Mission
The insurance industry has undergone a great deal of change in recent years. And that has been reflected by change in the ABI as well.
Following a comprehensive review of the Association's role and organisation, the ABI Board agreed this statement of the ABI's Vision and Mission.
The Vision for the industry and the ABI
A sustainably profitable and growing insurance industry in the UK.
An industry trusted and recognised as contributing to society and the economy.
An economic and public policy climate conducive to a flourishing industry.
A trade body (ABI) recognised as providing active leadership and an authoritative collective voice for the saving and protection products industry in the UK.
The ABI's mission
To provide leadership on issues bearing on the industry's collective strength and image and to shape and influence decisions made by the Government, regulator and other public authorities, within and outside the UK, in order to benefit the industry collectively.
This will be achieved on an active, collective and non-competitive basis by:
pro-active research, policy analysis and lobbying to secure improvement in the legal and regulatory framework.
analysis and representations in response to initiatives from others which affect the industry.
being recognised as a leading contributor to public policy thinking on issues relevant to insurance and financial services more generally.
presenting a positive image of the industry to the media and other opinion-formers.
providing leadership and guidance to the industry on issues which may affect its public image and reputation.
maintaining staff of high calibre and relevant skills, working under the guidance of the Board and its committees, focussed on delivering the mission.
ABI will provide other services to member companies which benefit the industry collectively; which support the mission; which can be provided without diversion of resources from the core functions; and which cannot be done more effectively by any other body.


Board of the Association
The ABI抯 Board is responsible for overseeing the work of the Association. Senior representatives of the industry sit on the Board. The ABI抯 Chairman serves for a period of two years.
Chairman


Archie Kane
Chairman,Group Executive Director Insurance and Investments,Lloyds TSB Group



Board Members

Ian Geden
Deputy Chairman,Chairman, General Insurance Council Management Committee,Managing DirectorNFU Mutual
Otto Thoresen
Deputy Chairman,Chairman, Life Insurance Council Management Committee,Group Chief Executive AEGON UK

Keith Skeoch
Chairman, ABI Investment CommitteeStandard Life Investments
Nicolas Moreau
Chairman, ABI Health CommitteeGroup Chief ExecutiveAxa UK
Tim Breedon
Group Chief Executive,Legal and General
Annette Court
Chief Executive Officer Europe, General InsuranceZurich Insurance Company
Jo Dawson
Chief Executive, Insurance and InvestmentHBOS Plc
Andy Haste
Group Chief ExecutiveRoyal & SunAlliance
Fergus Kee
Managing DirectorBUPA
Andrew Moss
Group Chief Executive,AVIVA
Nick Prettejohn
Chief Executive UK & EuropePrudential
Chris Sullivan
Chief Executive, RBS Insurance

Craig Thornton
Chief Executive Officer, Swiss Re Life & Health



Secretary to the Board

Debra Marsh
Association of British Insurers



Careers at the Association of British Insurers The Association of British Insurers is one of the UK抯 leading Trade Associations and represents the UK based insurance industry on a wide range of matters to Government, regulators, the media and other public bodies. Based on Gresham Street in the City of London, ABI has around 110 staff. We handle a wide range of work including policy issues covering both life and general insurance; political lobbying in the UK, Europe and internationally; research; investment related matters; legal and taxation issues; media relations work and liaison with regulators. The Association is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all quarters. Current Opportunities
There are no current opportunities.