‘It was very different’: James Vickers reflects on 47 years in reinsurance broking

By Scott Vincent, George Abbott

March 18 - (The Insurer) - More than 47 years after he first arrived at Willis, Faber & Dumas for a week’s work experience, James Vickers is set to retire from his role as Gallagher Re international chairman on May 31.

In nearly half a century of reinsurance broking, Vickers has witnessed first hand the evolution of the sector, most notably through the widespread adoption of catastrophe modelling in the 1990s.

The widespread adoption of analytics, he suggests, was the big game changer which ultimately drove the consolidation that led to the emergence of three dominant global reinsurance brokers.

In an extensive interview with The Insurer TV, Vickers looks back at the highlights of his 47 years as a reinsurance broker, recalling the most memorable characters, most challenging moments and toughest brokers.

He also reflects on the current marketplace, looking ahead to upcoming renewals and the potential for an uptick in reinsurance M&A this year.

Vickers also reveals how he thinks the reinsurance sector will evolve over the coming years, as well as the steps London must take to maintain its status as a centre of insurance expertise.

Watch full interview to hear more about:

• The toughest broke of Vickers career

• The day in the life of a reinsurance broker 50 years ago

• The best characters that Vickers has come across in the market