It's hard to avoid the fact that the UK pensions industry is facing a crisis. Reports and surveys highlighting that UK working adults no longer have confidence in the system or plan to stop funding their pensions are featured in the press at an alarming rate. It’s not exactly the sort of news the Government wants to hear, particularly with auto-enrolment just around the corner.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the UK insurance industry is the third largest in the world and the largest in Europe. But while its success on the global stage is beyond dispute, the highly global nature of the sector creates additional complications when it comes to negotiating a new regulatory environment ahead. 

Insurance is a global business which means it's incumbent on all players to cope with the regulatory regimes of multi-jurisdictions. A successful marketing strategy for offshore subsidiaries of UK companies means having to comply with UK domestic regulatory change as well as European and global regulations depending on where products are being sold.

Recognised as one of the top five cities for growth prospects in the UK, Leeds' manufacturing sector continues not just to survive, but to thrive. Companies involved in precision manufacturing, waste management, recycling, and renewable energy are all highlighted as internationally acclaimed sectors that can lead the way on the path to growth.

Overfinch’s enhancements attract the custom of many celebrities and sports stars. The company is also achieving success in overseas markets, including China’s burgeoning executive market. Its Xantha edition is offered exclusively for the Chinese market and features what it calls “a stunning pearlescent yellow paint finish, five piece Overfinch body kit with LED daylight running lights.” Autobrokers is owned by Kevin Sloane. He started up the business 20 years ago. 

Overfinch is a client of Mazars.

While boardroom battles can be pretty messy affairs and often damage a company's reputation, harmonious boards that are not achieving their full potential are equally as problematic. Boards play a vital role in delivering long-term success and if shareholders believe that board members are making decisions that, rightly or wrongly, jeopardise that long-term success, then more than ever they are likely to challenge decisions.

Former Dragons' Den entrepreneur James Caan warns a packed Mazars Business Club seminar audience away from some of the pitfalls of expansion into international markets so their companies can be sure to gain from these growth economies.

Most organisations have a vast array of often disparate information from which different reports are collated for multiple end users and committees.  The speed and accuracy with which this is achieved can provide a significant competitive advantage. The challenge is how to get the right content to the right people at the right time.

In July 2011, the FSA published guidance to support validation and evidence of self-assessment for internal model application. The scope of the review is relatively concise, but in practice is proving a challenge as it includes all internal and external data that could have a material impact on the internal model.  

The Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) mis-selling scandal has had an unwelcome knock-on effect for UK insurance brokers. According to the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA), PPI was a product sold primarily by lenders and credit brokers, but by very few ‘core’ insurance brokers.

Proposals put forward include a public/private partnership to be put in place and a cap on the cost people have to pay for long term care. The proposals not only remove the uncertainty of the cost of care, they potentially boost the need for the development of affordable insurance products.