By Howard Benge, Insurance Museum Director
Over the past couple of years, we have been establishing the foundations of the Insurance Museum, gaining support and building up its programme of CPD talks, webinars and tours for the insurance profession. We have also used this time to fundraise, which secures the future of the IM. We have been approaching the insurance community to back the IM, individuals to become IM Members, and grant providers. We hope to announce in the New Year some great news about the IM’s progress and growth toward becoming a centre for engaging people with the story of insurance, how it works, and how it supports communities.
M & M Underwriting continued their support for the IM with their second year of their multi-year donation. Gary Honey, Director of M & M Underwriting, said, “The Insurance Museum offers the perfect opportunity to get insurance taught in schools as a subject. Almost anything anyone wants to achieve in life will involve an insurance transaction, so incorporating “insurance” into the curriculum for every Key Stage supports the teaching of math/probability, history, financial literacy & general life skills – and hopefully inspires the next generation of talent to consider Insurance as a career.”
All of us here at the IM want to thank FOIL and its president, Howard Dean. Over the past year, the IM has been FOIL’s chosen charity for 2025, and on 27th November John Bissell, Deputy Chair and Treasurer, and I were invited to speak at the annual FOIL conference. As always, it was a great pleasure to discuss insurance heritage and the curious quirks that happen throughout history. John received a cheque for £1,800 raised during the FOIL Quiz Night in September. FOIL’s support has been invaluable, not just for fundraising, but also for connecting the IM with insurance law professionals and raising awareness of the IM’s work.
The IM was invited to speak at the Brown & Brown Underwriting’s event on 12th November, which welcomed over 100 brokers. The session explored the history of insurance, featured Reg Brown sharing his inspiration behind the IM, and included Sarah Begley from OB Brand Consulting unveiling our new fundraising campaign, inspired by the insurer’s slip.
The IM would like to thank Clive Nathan CEO at Brown & Brown Europe (MGA) for the invite, and to Anna Wilkinson and Nicola Bexon for their encouragement and excellent logistical planning. With the support of the Insurance Community, the IM can push forward in its campaign to reach children and young people to share the story of insurance and its relevance in today’s world.
If you would like to join us, then become an IM Member. £50 a year will support the Insurance Museum in growing and developing, with the aim of opening a physical museum in three years’ time.
We want to thank everyone who has supported the IM during 2025. 2026 will be an excellent year for the IM’s growth and development. Season’s Greetings and we look forward to catching up with you next year.
