Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Bank gives advice on reform programme

John Moore,Assistant City Editor
Friday 17 July 1992 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE BANK of England is playing a key role in attempting to resolve the troubles of the Lloyd's insurance market.

Officials at the Bank are advising Lloyd's on the implementation of a major reform programme and the appointment of a new chairman of a regulatory board for its market and a new chief executive.

The changes, proposed last month by Sir Jeremy Morse, chairman of Lloyds Bank, are the most sweeping constitutional reforms in the market's history.

'It would be surprising if the Bank had not given its views on how things should proceed,' a Lloyd's spokesman said.

Sir Jeremy has proposed that Lloyd's ruling council of 28 should be reduced to 14 with most of its powers for the day-to-day running and regulation of the market delegated to two boards: one responsible for regulation and the other for the business development of the community.

The business development board would be run by no more than 16 individuals while the regulatory board would be run by 14, according to Sir Jeremy.

Alan Lord's successor as chief executive will need to receive the approval of the Bank of England before his appointment, a procedure that has been adopted since the post was created in 1982.

But the new chairman of regulation, proposed by Sir Jeremy, will come from one of the four leading City figures from outside the market's membership - who will sit on the main council.

All four members, including the chairman of the regulatory board, will have their appointments approved by the Governor of the Bank of England.

As officials at Lloyd's continued to work out ways to implement the proposals, controversy continued about the appointment of a new chief executive to succeed Mr Lord, who retired last month.

David Coleridge, Lloyd's chairman, has indicated to friends that he does not intend to stand for re-election at the end of this year.

Members are dismayed that the choice of chief executive is going ahead without the approval of Mr Coleridge's successor.

Two front-runners are emerging to succeed Mr Coleridge.

David Rowland, the insurance broker who proposed the reforms for the market, and Stephen Merrett, a senior Lloyd's underwriter.

Both men have yet to declare their intention to stand, but pressure is growing on Lloyd's to avoid a power vacuum ahead of a critical vote among members about the market's conduct of their affairs on 27 July.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in