Stephen Catlin sets up group of UK insurance bosses to propose pandemic response

The UK insurance industry leaders have come together to form a steering group, which will work with government-backed mutual reinsurer Pool Re, to propose a collective pandemic response.

The group will be chaired by industry veteran Stephen Catlin, chairman and CEO of Convex, who earlier founded the Catlin Group and is regarded as one of the biggest names in commercial insurance.

Other members of the group will include Maurice Tulloch, CEO of Aviva; Stephen Hester, CEO of RSA; Julian Enoizi, CEO of Pool Re; Nick Frankland, UK CEO of Reinsurance Solutions, Aon; James Nash, CEO of International, Guy Carpenter; and James Kent, CEO of Willis Re. Other participants are expected to be invited to join in due course.

The steering group’s main objective is to propose an industry response to both the government and the country, as well as strengthen its response to future pandemics. The first group meeting was held on April 17, to agree its objectives.

Pool Re will work closely with the steering group to provide structural recommendations.

Catlin said: “The insurance industry needs to be on the front foot in the current situation, paying claims quickly and continuing to provide people and businesses with the protection they require. Most importantly we need to find an industry solution for future pandemics and this group has many years of combined industry experience.”

According to the group, the insurance industry is well placed to support the government, individuals and businesses through its sophisticated claims paying ability and distribution channels. Moreover, the industry can, through its links with academia, provide expertise on how to mitigate risk.