PRESS RELEASE
25 June 2018

LMA survey reveals modernisation, underwriting systems and Brexit as top 2018 priorities for COOs 

Market modernisation, underwriting systems upgrades, and Brexit preparations are the top three 2018 priorities of Lloyd’s market chief operating officers (COOs), a survey commissioned by the Lloyd’s Market Association reveals.

The research provides a comprehensive picture of the concerns, opinions, and priorities of the market’s most senior operations personnel. Significant findings include:

  • Within market modernisation initiatives, delegated authority transformation has the highest priority, and 93% believe straight-through processing is a viable option for delegated authority relationships.
  • All respondents are planning systems upgrades in 2018. Almost 77% plan to upgrade coverholder reporting systems and processes.
  • Brexit is seen as an internal and market-level priority issue for 2018 by a majority of COOs. Managing agencies slightly favour use of the Lloyd's Brussels subsidiary (57%) over the creation of their own EU subsidiary (43%).

Tom Payne, market operations director at the LMA said: “It is widely understood that the Lloyd’s market faces an increasingly challenging environment, with COOs having a key role to play in this changing landscape. The LMA Operations Committee (LMAOC) is uniquely placed to represent the operational community in areas where working collectively can drive clarity and value.”

Sheila Cameron, head of international operations at Navigators and chair of the LMAOC said: “The LMAOC felt that the voice of the COO needed to be more clearly articulated in the context of market modernisation, operational improvement and expense management. This survey, the first of its kind to be commissioned, will help to achieve this. For the first time, the views of Lloyd’s market COOs have been brought together, assessed and collated with the intention of articulating the business and operational challenges faced by managing agents.”

- ENDS –

Notes to Editors

About the survey

The survey was conducted between 23 January and 9 March 2018, to engage with Chief Operating Officers at Lloyd’s Managing Agents. 39 of Lloyd’s 55 managing agencies (71%) took part in the survey.

The survey was conducted on behalf of the LMA by Haggie Partners LLP.

For further information please contact:

James Milne, Head of Communications
Lloyd’s Market Association
T 020 7327 8405
E james.milne@lmalloyds.com

About the Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA)

Formed in 2001 and located in the heart of the Lloyd’s Building in the City of London, the Lloyd's Market Association represents the interests of the Lloyd’s underwriting community. All underwriting businesses at Lloyd’s are members, together managing gross premium income of around £32billion per annum.