UK insurers concerned about technology, post-Brexit access to capital and talent

FTSE 100 insurers rate technological innovation of greater importance than any other industry sector, and are concerned about access to talent and capital after Brexit, according to a survey by legal services provider DWF.

A survey of FTSE 100 leaders has found that 88 percent of insurers surveyed believe technological innovation is key to their business strategy over the next five years. This was highest of all industries surveyed, including the technology and communications sectors (82 percent), banking (76 percent) and healthcare and retail (56 percent).

The survey also found that 81 percent believe that attracting capital to London after the UK leaves the EU will be more difficult, and three-quarters (75 percent) think that attracting talent will be harder for The City.

This concern was echoed by the insurance leaders included in the survey, who also raised concerns about London’s ability post-Brexit to not only attract capital and talent to the market, but also the negative impact on investing in their London operations if the UK fails to retain access to the single market.

“Insurers have a considerable presence in the FTSE 100 and their concerns about technology and access to capital and talent should be strongly noted,” said Caroline Coates, head of insurance sector at DWF. “A reduction in the supply of these key elements will limit their ability to operate and may, in turn, reduce London’s role and influence in the global insurance market.”

The two main reasons for companies being headquartered in the UK were given as London being one of the most connected cities in the world, and for being the main financial centre in Europe. These two were also the top reasons given by insurers.

The insurers surveyed stated that New York, Amsterdam and Singapore posed the greatest competitive threat to London.

The survey, “City of London: Blueprint for growth” was conducted by Raconteur in January and February 2017 on behalf of leading insurance law firm DWF and asked 150 senior C-suite executives from FTSE 100 companies about London’s challenges and future.

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