Haroon Malik

Making sure we constantly evolve our cyber products to meet the risks that businesses face online is a top priority for Aviva. A couple of months ago, we made the latest update, to include the services of RiskEye Online Reputation Security for all of our policyholders. Here, George Thomas and Sarah Holland talk a bit more about what this means in practice 👌 #cyber #cyberinsurance #digitalrisk #onlinesafety

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Hackathon is fast approaching!!! It’s a tricky balance managing the day job with the added tasks preparing for the hackathon next week. Not helped by being on a course this week to gain my APM PMQ! However on reflection it is hugely helpful to go back to basics this week on project management, reminding myself of the essential steps and processes. It is particularly useful to focus on the “why” - all too often we get caught in process without thought, filling in templates by rote. The three key thoughts I’m taking from PMQ today into the hack are: - requirements gathering is key - the correct structure for the project will support effective delivery - communication and clear roles & responsibilities is the lynchpin of a great project team 3 more work days to go… our team is well prepared and we have an excellent idea we can’t wait to implement 🧡🍊🧡 #AvivaHackathon2024 #Innovation #CreativeThinking #OrangeTeam #projectmanagement #hackhints #hack #aviva

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Today, we’re proud to again join the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) to support the launch of their fourth edition of the UK Pensions Framework.    Michele Golunska, Managing Director for Wealth & Advice at Aviva, said “We’re delighted to support the PPI in delivering this important report, at a pivotal time for the future of UK pensions. We are reminded that tomorrow’s retirement challenges are shaped by today’s trends in health, wealth, housing, and employment.”   Titled Red Sky in the Morning?, the report examines the threat that growing inequality poses to retirement living standards in the UK. Read it today 👉 https://lnkd.in/eRSz5DSt #PPIPensionsFramework #SavingsAndRetirement

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If you are tired of 'making do', 'fudging ' or finding 'work arounds' to get your Open Gi system to do what you need, it's time you had a chat with Damon Burke. This week alone, Damon has helped three clients adapt their systems to build an automated email process, update and refresh old and tired looking letters, build frames and processes to improve workflow and productivity and reduce errors and breaches. And, if you're thinking that this type of support costs an arm and a leg, think again. We don’t have fixed service packages, we provide tailored support, with a very competitive daily rate, you only pay for what you use! Ready for a chat? Follow the link in the comments and we'll be in touch soon! #opengi #fcacompliance #gdpr #iso27001

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Our Head of Motor Underwriting, Rob Clark, joined the panel at this week's Association of British Insurers Motor Conference in London, discussing 'The Road Ahead...' Focussing on the sector's complex challenges, from affordability and accessibility to rising costs and regulation, the panel of industry experts shared their views and insights on the factors impacting the risk profile of the motor insurance market. Rob said, "It was fantastic to be part of an ABI motor panel discussing how the market can come together to address structural cost challenges in the market and offer more value to our customers. There are so many opportunities for the market to work together to drive better outcomes for UK motorists." #ABIMotor24 #FixInsuranceForGood #Insurance #MotorInsurance #AssociationOfBritishInsurers

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I’ve got some bad news.. . . So after have a really great conversation with a contact of mine and it turns out there is a specialised Lloyds/London market insurance system. There isn’t some brilliant/niche system we’re all missing out on. I’ll share the info that was provided to me that will make us more attractive for these roles. Trends across Lloyds market and where we could benefit in training: Data Strategy and Governance – This will always be a big-ticket item for all Insurance providers, as they are at the forefront of personal details for millions of customers. Many are only starting to wake up to the possibilities of what can be done with data and how it can be utilised to maximise sales and marketing, and as this is one of the cornerstones of Cloud and Gen AI transformation journeys (see below), it is a distinct trend in which Lloyds and Insurance providers across the board will be hiring into for the foreseeable. Cloud – This is something that has really taken off in the past 5-10 years where the influx of cloud possibility has really started to take shape in the insurance world given the updates to security and data protection. The big three (AWS, GCP, Azure) have all started partnering with Lloyds syndicates to house data and applications securely and cost-effectively, and as the focus turns to digital transformation and Blueprint Two, cost-effectiveness is something that is a big talking point to open up budget for more futuristic tech, such as Gen AI… Gen AI/Machine Learning – The buzz word that everyone is talking about, and is being considered as an innovative new tool to sell more policies, reduce phone interactions, increase digital hits and ultimately save money. The capabilities and possibilities are endless, however typical ideas are chatbot integrations, virtual agents, IVR and even document/policy writing. All of this, however, stems from a strong backbone in Data Strategy and Management, which is where a lot of these companies are at currently with this process. So that’s it. There’s no magically way we can get these highly paying roles. It’s skills, experience and a shit load of luck. Sorry I can’t be more helpful but this is where we’re at. Cheers Craig

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The results of our Insurance Sector Working Policy Report in collaboration with the Insurance Times

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I had the honour of being a guest on this amazing Podcast, which was hosted by Aaron Schultz, the Founder of The Outback Mind Foundation. Aaron and I are united by a shared mission for Men's mental health and well-being. We both strive for men to discover a pathway to happiness and to live their life's true purpose. If you have not already done so, please follow Aaron and his charity. If you are a decision-maker within an organisation seeking an opportunity to make a genuine difference, please donate to this cause. This cause is changing the lives of men in rural Australia. This is where the silent killer suicide resides. These men are doing it tough and have been brought up to be "tough". As a result, they have not learned the skills to express their emotions healthily. Through Aaron and The Outback Mind Foundation's work, men's circles are held in these communities. For the first time, many of these men are being seen and heard. They can express their emotions without feeling judged or shamed openly. In this episode, I am very open about the challenges I faced growing up in a small country town and the impact this had on me not reaching my full potential. One of which was my use of alcohol as a coping mechanism. We cover many topics in this episode. Jump in and take a listen. You will not regret it. Much love and peace, Stephen PS: As above, please consider donating to this charity as the money goes to spreading the word about men's mental health challenges.

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Tackling #WhatsNext for our customers, together 🗞️ Ahead of #BIBA2024 David Martin shares more on some of the changes we’ve made to how we work with brokers, and what they can expect next from Aviva. Read the full article here 👉 https://lnkd.in/drSmU6QJ BIBA

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What makes a pension scheme ‘right’ for a business? Victoria Tait, Workplace Manager at Aviva, explains how customer insights help us make our Aviva Master Trust a more effective proposition for employers, leading to better outcomes for their employees 👇 #WorkplacePensions #CustomerInsights

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This morning as I stand on the train platform at Leeds looking out at the ever changing skyline I started to think about, Unlocking Success Through Marginal Gains, In the realm of business, the pursuit of excellence often feels like a race against time. Yet, the secret to monumental success lies not in giant leaps, but in the power of marginal gains. By dedicating ourselves to continuous improvement, even in the smallest aspects, we unlock the potential for extraordinary growth.Imagine each process, each interaction, and each decision as an opportunity to refine and perfect. This is the essence of marginal gains: making incremental improvements that, over time, accumulate into significant advancements. It's about asking, "How can we make this 1% better?" and then consistently applying that mindset across every facet of the organisation.Dedication to this philosophy requires effort and patience. It means committing to a culture where every team member is empowered to identify and act on areas for improvement. It's about fostering an environment where feedback is valued, and innovation is encouraged. Over time, these small, consistent efforts yield exponential results. The once negligible improvements compound, driving the organisation towards outstanding achievements. Monumental gains are not the result of occasional grand gestures but the culmination of persistent, deliberate actions. Just like that of those ever increasing skyscrapers, iteratively progressing one floor at a time. So, i encourage everyone to embrace the journey of marginal gains. With dedication, effort, and time, we will / you will transform our / your business. Every step forward, however small, is a step towards greatness. Together, let's make each day an opportunity to be better than yesterday, and watch as our collective efforts propel us to new heights. #MarginalGains  #ContinuousImprovement  #Lean  #Change  #Build  

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🎬 Welcome to the second episode of ‘Meet The People Behind Our Success’. In this episode, Lee Lord Cert CII, SME Senior Fleet Underwriter, talks about our recent Portfolio Management programme expertly led by Nicholas Hartley, Head of SME Underwriting. At AXA, we constantly ensure our team has access to the latest training material to support their knowledge. The Portfolio Management programme provided a dedicated group of underwriters with a new workbook specifically designed to cover essential techniques and methodologies for effective insurance portfolio management. Armed with this newly acquired knowledge, our underwriters were then tasked to create a detailed portfolio analysis of a product that they’re passionate about, which ultimately helps to sharpen their analytical capabilities. We’re excited to share more insights of our team in the next episode! #AXABrokers #SMEBusinessUnit #SME #MeetThePeopleBehindOurSuccess #KnowYouCan

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The Surrey Pension Fund Board meets on 15 November for an overview of quarter 2 performance, as well as for updates to change management, risk register, and actuarial update 2025 valuation planning.   For the full agenda and further details, please see below 👇   #ProvidingOurCustomersWithABetterTomorrow #LGPS

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A combination of 'how is it Friday already?' and 'thank goodness its Friday!' The week has flown by in an exhausting blurr, but at least we've been productive 💪 Wins this week include: 1️⃣ Completing our biggest RoPA yet, creating a fantastic foundation for our client to revamp their GDPR framework. Seeing the RoPA bought much needed clarity around their data processing activities. It has helped clear a path for them and banished their data protection demons. 😈 2️⃣ Helping a client get two new Appointed Reps authorised with the FCA. Our support through the application process helped smooth the way to authorisation with minimal drama or questions from the FCA. ✅️ 3️⃣ We've helped an Open Gi Broker overcome some glitches in their letters. Once the letters were updated, we delivered a quick training session to the team, who are now generating great letters consistently, driving an increase in productivity and improving customer outcomes in one fell swoop! 🎊 4️⃣ Lastly, we've been supporting a business with their ISO 27001 internal audits. The audit reports were reviewed and signed off by the Management Review Team today. The organisation has really engaged with the ISMS. It's been fantastic seeing them living it, it's not just a certification to help get new clients. Clearly that is a factor, but information security has become part of their day to day functions which is brilliant. More importantly, the business is actually starting to see tangible benefits from implementing an information security management system 👍 It the best feeling to know that we can help our clients overcome hurdles and achieve great things. Have a fantastic weekend one and all 😊 Damon Burke DRB Compliance Limited #gdpr ##fcacompliance #opengi #iso27001 #support #teamwork #tgifriday

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Is your pension scheme ready for the Pensions Dashboards? As the Pension Dashboard rollout approaches, many UK pension schemes are facing a critical challenge: data accuracy. Incomplete or outdated information could lead to mass confusion, incorrect allocation of pensions, and regulatory penalties from TPR. #PensionsDashboards

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I know Rebecca personally, and her work ethic and skills are excellent.

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The analogy I'm drawing at the moment when speaking to those within Insurance Transformation and Technology is that it's felt rather akin to the London Underground... Everyone knows that it needs ripping out and completely transforming but there never seems to be a good time to do it properly without fear of negative impacts and disruptions, and it certainly won't happen overnight. (Or without considerable expense) However, unlike my homeland's underground transportation network, it is refreshing to see that changes are happening within the Insurance space that will ultimately bring the industry out of the dark ages, ensuring that processes are far less antiquated and much more user friendly to a more contemporary and digitally receptive audience. Insurance has habitually been behind other industries, such as Banking, Telecommunications and Aviation, but the gap is definitely gradually narrowing and there's some great talent ready and waiting to assume positions within this domain. There's a lot of talk of reshuffling within the market, with many subject to the same holding pattern, and as always we're here to facilitate that shuffling process with some excellent people! There's not been many better opportunities to take full advantage of the rich array of talent that is out there, with fire in the belly to get involved in some exciting Transformative work, so get in touch if you are looking to build out your teams within this space. Transformation inevitably creates opportunity for people, but without people it doesn't happen, no matter how much we talk about AI.

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Yesterday someone asked me the difference between an *inside* IR35 contract and *outside* IR35 contract. I'm glad they asked. We all assume everyone knows, but if you're new to this game, it isn't always that obvious. So feelings aside (I see you), let’s break down the differences between contracts inside and outside IR35 in simple terms. FYI: IR35, also known as the off-payroll working rules, is a piece of UK tax legislation introduced to ensure that contractors who work in a similar way to employees pay the correct amount of income tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs). 💡 Key differences are: → Inside IR35: A contractor working full-time for a single client, using the client’s equipment, and following the client’s instructions closely. Inside IR35 means taxes are deducted at source, like an employee and is less flexible → Outside IR35: A contractor working for multiple clients, using their own equipment, and having control over how and when they complete their work. Outside IR35 means you handle your own taxes and offers more independence and control over your work. Still with me? Let's break it down a little further: 🏢 An inside IR35 contract: → Tax: You are treated like an employee for tax purposes. This means you pay income tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) just like a regular employee. → Deductions: Your client or agency will deduct tax and NICs from your pay before you receive it. → Control: Your client has significant control over how, when, and where you work. You might have set working hours and be integrated into the client’s team. → Mutuality of Obligation: There is an expectation that the client will provide work and you will accept it, similar to an employment relationship. 💡 Example: Imagine you are a software developer working on a project for a large company. You work 9-5 in their office, use their equipment, and follow their instructions closely. This setup is likely to be inside IR35. 🌴 An outside IR35 contract: → Tax: You are treated as a self-employed contractor. You are responsible for managing your own taxes and NICs. → Deductions: You invoice your client and receive the full amount, then handle your own tax payments. → Control: You have more control over how, when, and where you work. You might work from home, set your own hours, and use your own equipment. → Mutuality of Obligation: There is no ongoing obligation for the client to provide work or for you to accept it beyond the terms of the contract. 💡 Example: Imagine you are a graphic designer hired to create a logo for a company. You work from your own studio, set your own schedule, and deliver the final product by an agreed deadline. This setup is likely to be outside IR35. Seriously, I hope this helps! What else would you add to this to explain the difference between inside and outside of IR35? #contracts #ir35 #inside #outside

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My latest musings for Contractor UK on what the Autumn Statement might mean for personal service companies and small businesses. What would you like to see happen? Comment below.

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