More than 8000 votes have been received for the 101 coaches that have now been nominated.

• 1st – Ice skating coach – Simon Briggs
• 2nd – Ice skating coach, Gillian Otterson
• 3rd – Ice skating coach, Andrea McCully
• 4th – Shooting coach, Malcolm West
• 5th – Ultimate Frisbee coach, Dan Furnell
• 6th – Rowing coach, James Wilton
• 7th – Rowing coach, Seamus Reynolds
• 8th – American Football coach, Rob Lowe
• 9th – Rowing Coach, Al Horn
• 10th – Gymnastics coach, Andi Revell

Is your sport or your coach in the top 10? If not, click on the drop-down to view the list of coaches and vote now.

Full competition terms and conditions. Permission must be granted by the person being nominated.

We have now received over 8,000 votes. With only 5 days left the top ten coaches and their sports looks like this:

• 1st – Ice skating coach – Simon Briggs
• 2nd – Ice skating coach, Andrea McCully
• 3rd – Ice skating coach, Gillian Otterson
• 4th – Shooting coach, Malcolm West
• 5th – Ultimate Frisbee coach, Dan Furnell
• 6th – Rowing coach, James Wilton
• 7th – Rowing coach, Seamus Reynolds
• 8th – American Football coach, Rob Lowe
• 9th – Gymnastics coach, Andi Revell
• 10th – Rowing coach, Al Horn

It is time to encourage all your team members to vote for your coach and ensure they win this great prize!

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive competition updates and read our weekly blog.

Full competition terms and conditions. Permission must be granted by the person being nominated.

Perkins Slade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

The Scheme launched on the 20^th January 2011 is exclusively for BIBA members. Being a member of the scheme allows access to expert advice on credit risks and provides a range of solutions designed to improve financial security and credit control; establishing disciplines that can help businesses to grow and prosper.

To mark the anniversary and in response to valuable broker feedback the BIBA Credit Management and Bonds Scheme today launch the Broker Support function of the scheme. This valueable development has been designed to assist BIBA Brokers in making it easier to promote the Schemes’ products and services to clients.

For more information on the Scheme please contact us

The success of the Scheme was also recognised at the 2011 UNITAS Annual Conference

Darren Felsenstein, Credit Development Executive at Perkins Slade was runner up in the Annual Achievement Award, from a pool of 9 nominees. Darren was nominated due to his successful introduction of the BIBA Credit Management & Bonds Scheme. Commenting on his award Darren said “It was a real honour to be nominated, and to be runner up is a great success, although it would have been a massive achievement personally and professionally to have won”.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) @BIBAbroker is the UK ‘s leading general insurance organisation representing the interests of insurance brokers, intermediaries and their customers.

UNITAS Alliance Ltd represents 13 of the largest and highly respected independent regional insurance brokers from across the UK.

Perkins Slade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Perkins Slade is celebrating the start of 2012 by welcoming Darren Rowe to the company as Managing Director Corporate*. Darren has more than 20 years experience in the insurance industry with senior roles at both PowerPlace and Towergate and will have board responsibility for Perkins Slade’s Corporate and Credit divisions.

The news of Darren Rowe’s appointment follows the announcement of new directorships for Julia Harrop, Mark Ford and Aslam Ismail. Perkins Slade’s new team of Executive Directors for 2012 is therefore now as follows:-

• Nick Tamblyn, Chief Executive
• Richard Doubleday, Managing Director Sport and Recreation
• Darren Rowe, Managing Director Corporate
• Julia Harrop, Client Service Director
• Mark Ford, Broking Director
• Aslam Ismail, Finance and IT Director

As previously announced, Ron Forrest resumes as Chairman following David Slade’s decision to move to a Non-Executive role.

Commenting on the changes, Chief Executive, Nick Tamblyn, said,

“We are delighted to welcome Darren to Perkins Slade, his experience, professionalism and expertise make him a valuable addition to our executive team. He’ll play a key role, along with our new board, in defining and implementing our strategy for business development and client retention, enabling us to take advantage of the market opportunities ahead.”

Darren Rowe added, “I am delighted to be joining such a well established brokerage and taking up this unique opportunity which will enable me to utilise my experience to the full as we build on the success that has been enjoyed by Perkins Slade over the past 40 years.”

Further information

For more information about this press release contact Rachael Sherrey on 0121 698 8132, 07971 408 434 or by email to r.sherrey@perkins-slade.com.

* Subject to FSA approval

At 4pm Thursday 12^th January the leader board looked like this:

671 - Andrea McCully – Ice Skating coach
615 - Gillian Otterson – Ice Skating coach
396 – Dan Furnell – Ultimate Frisbee coach
375 - James Wilton – Rowing coach
230 - Seamus Reynolds – Rowing coach
224 - Rob Lowe – American Football coach
212 – Andi Revell – Gymnastics coach
208 - Lois Miller – Cheer Leading coach
152 – Debbie Saunders – Gymnastics coach
139 – Roxanne Edmonds – Cheer Leading coach

But this could still all change! The competition will run until midnight on 31^st January 2012, so there is still plenty of time to vote.

The ‘Coach, you’re the best’ competition is an opportunity for you to say thank you to that special person who has made you better at your sport, helped you to win a medal or just makes it fun. Check now to see if your coach has been nominated by using the ‘Select a Coach’ drop down on the right. If your coach has been nominated, enter your email address into the field at the top of the page and click the ‘Vote’ button to register your vote, and don’t forget to tell your friends and fellow team members.

Read our full competition terms and conditions. You must have the permission of the person you are nominating.

Perkins Slade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

It is important that clubs are prepared and aware of their duty of care to members, staff and visitors. All occupiers have a legal duty to rid their walkways, car parks and driveways, as far as reasonably possible of snow and ice. For example falls on snow or ice resulted in nearly 15,000 hospital admissions in 2010/11 according to Hospital Episode Statistics, part of the NHS information centre.

With many members keen to keep up their training and participation throughout the winter, clubs must be aware that they have a duty to rid their walkways, car parks and driveways, as far as reasonably possible, of obstructions and potential hazards caused by snow or ice.

Here are our key points on preventing winter accidents, in accordance with recently issued guidance from the HSE: 

• Identify all the areas used by pedestrians and employees most likely to be affected, including walkways and/or car parks
• Suitably treat identified areas with grit and/or salt
• Monitor temperatures and weather forecasts as prevention is key
• Put up signage warning visitors that snow and ice is a hazard, however it must be noted that this alone is not sufficient prevention
• Lack of knowledge or delay will not be a defence
• Ensure all areas are adequately lit
• Introduce non-slip, water absorbing mats at entrances to the building(s) that are sufficient to dry shoes.

Contact
If you would like to discuss your sports liability insurance and/or risk management needs, please call your usual Perkins Slade contact, alternatively  telephone 0121 698 8000 or email: sportsliability@perkins-slade.com

Perkins Slade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

Should conditions take a turn for the worse this winter it is important that employers and occupiers are prepared and aware of their duty of care to staff and visitors. All occupiers have a duty to rid their walkways, car parks and driveways, as far as reasonably possible of snow and ice. For example falls on snow or ice resulted in nearly 15,000 hospital admissions in 2010/11 according to Hospital Episode Statistics, part of the NHS information centre.

Here are our top 5 ways of preventing winter accidents, in accordance with recently issued guidance from the HSE: 

1. Identify all the areas used by pedestrians and employees most likely to be affected, including walkways and/or car parks
2. Suitably treat identified areas with grit and/or salt
3. Monitor temperatures and weather forecasts as prevention is key
4. Put up signage warning visitors that snow and ice is a hazard, however it must be noted that this alone is not sufficient prevention
5. Lack of knowledge or delay will not be a defence.

Contact
If you would like to discuss your business insurance and/or risk management needs, please call your usual Perkins Slade contact, alternatively  telephone 0121 698 8000 or email: b.ramos@perkins-slade.com

Perkins Slade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

A second storm is heading for the UK and this time the entire country looks set to suffer. Forecasters say the next severe storm is brewing in the North Atlantic and will bring with it cold air, snow and sleet as well as hurricane-strength winds from Monday evening. They say next week’s massive storm will affect the whole of the UK and will last through the whole of Tuesday and into Wednesday.

Early insurer estimates suggest the industry might be facing claims totalling about £200m. While we are yet to see the effects of the storm, there are still practical steps you can take to manage the risk to your business.

Are you prepared?

For businesses, storm damage should be one of the events considered in your business continuity plan. Preparations can be undertaken to ensure minimal damage is incurred:

• Impact-resistant glass
• Ensure exterior and yard items are removed or are securely tied down or stored away
• Close all doors, particularly up-and-over type garage doors
• Safety and communications plans are in place for employees
• If instructed to do so turn off utilities
• Trim back any dead or weak branches from trees.

A relevant and up-to-date plan will demonstrate to insurers and lenders that you’ve taken a proactive approach to risk management and can help stabilise the cost of your insurance in the long term.

Are you covered?

Commercial property owners should check their insurance policies to ensure cover includes storm/ flood damage. It is also advisable to review the key features of the policy including any excesses you will be expected to pay in the event of a claim. It is vital for companies to regularly review their insurance cover.

Most organisations will have material damage cover and business interruption cover but a full review of the sums insured and the indemnity period should be frequently undertaken. This isn’t just a question of insuring storm as a peril, denial of access and loss of attraction may all have an equally disastrous impact on business. If the nature of your business is complex, you may need expert advice from a specialist surveyor to review your requirements and help calculate the gross profit sum insured.

What to do if your business is affected?

• Contact your insurer as soon as possible
• If your property or workplace is damaged make sure the building is safe before you enter and ensure electricity and gas supplies are switched off
• Do not use electricity or water supplies until the ‘all clear’ is given
• Keep the numbers of people entering the building to a minimum
• If necessary, arrange for temporary repairs to be carried out to stop any damage getting worse
• Keep receipts, as these will be needed for your insurance claim
• Always make your own record of damage – photograph or video record your damaged.

Contact

If you would like to discuss your business insurance and/or risk management needs, please call your usual Perkins Slade contact, alternatively  telephone 0121 698 8000 or email b.ramos@perkins-slade.com

Perkins Slade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Our special guest, Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle @bethtweddlenews joined Richard Doubleday, Director of Sport on the sofa for a Piers Morgan-style chat, at the recent UNITAS Annual Conference #unitasconf.

Over 100 delegates from the member companies and our partner insurers came together for a full day’s conference. The event reviewed UNITAS’s work throughout 2011, and also outlined the strategy for 2012. The busy agenda also included a fantastic seminar on the use of Social Media by BigCat, Q&A session with partner insurers and the annual Achievement Award, which this year was sponsored by Chubb.

Darren Felsenstein, Credit Development Executive at Perkins Slade was runner up in the Annual Achievement Award. Darren was nominated due to his successful introduction of the BIBA Credit Management & Bonds Scheme. Commenting on his award Darren said “It was a real honour to be nominated, and to be runner up is a great achievement”.

UNITAS Alliance Ltd represents 13 of the largest and highly respected independent regional insurance brokers from across the UK.

The event closed with a charity dinner followed by the inspirational interview with Beth Tweddle, which can be viewed in full on our YouTube Channel and a raffle for Cancer Research UK, which raised an amazing £1,051.

The Mo Bro’s each raised sponsorship from colleagues, friends and family. This was further supported by a number of office-based initiatives to help support their fundraising, including an on-line auction, cake sales and dress down days.

The office held an awards ceremony to recognise the achievements of all who took part. The “Under Dog” award went to Nick Baker, the “Most Raised” went to Richard Doubleday, second place was awarded to Ian Elkington and first place went to a well deserving Sven Edwards. Well done to you all, we hope to see you next year!?

We would also like to personally thank Sterling for providing a case of wine, Jury’s Inn, Birmingham for donating a night’s stay, Solace Spa for a Dermalogica facial, as well as colleagues Sue Dingley and Ron Forrest for their contributions to the campaign.

If you would still like to donate please visit: www.justgiving.com/perkinsslade