In the midst of an area famed for its Indian and international restaurants, a unique chocolatier has emerged. Dark Sugars brings the culture of West African cocoa production to Brick Lane. It was the destination for AirSP members and guests on 10 May. Run by Nyanga, the chocolate is made on the premises using beans from her family farm in Ghana.

The evening began with a choice from the hot chocolate menu. Shards from the different chocolate slabs, according to your choice, are mixed with milk and melt as you stir your cup. "Sinful thickness" she calls it. Angelina’s of Paris has competition from the Dark arts!

A short and interesting talk by Nyanga was followed by tastings from the range of chocolates that surround you, displayed on an array of interestingly carved wood. The chocolates are made to Dark Sugars’ unique recipes and styles. "The liquor cabinet" range, in which you inject liqueur into the truffles by squeezing its pipette; the "pearl" range with their soft smooth centres; chocolate covered fruits; truffles with spices (cardamom and orange is a real winner); champagne, limoncello, coconut, mango, stem ginger and honey … the list goes on … and on … and all washed down with a glass or two of wine (yes, there is a wine bar too).

All who went agreed that a return visit is essential. Mr Wonka would have been gobsmacked – or should that be gobstopped?

Stephen Carter

Carter Perry Bailey LLP

We are delighted to invite you to our June event. Keith Murray, Rimkus Consulting, will be giving a presentation on fire investigation techniques, myths and mystery involving fires.

Keith’s professional career includes 29 years with Dumfries and Galloway, Staffordshire & Scottish Fire and Rescue Services. In that capacity he has been involved in many different emergency service positions including Fire Fighter to Assistant Area Commander, and special roles in Fire Investigation Officer, Operational Intelligence Officer, Lead Training Instructor and certified Fire Safety Inspecting Officer.

Keith has investigated the origin and cause of fires within the Fire and Rescue Service for over 14 years. He has completed national certifications and qualified as a Fire Investigator, Fire Behaviour Instructor, Fire Safety and Accident Investigation Officer; is a member of the United Kingdom Association of Fire Investigators (UK-AFI) and International Association of Fire Investigators (IAAI) International Member of the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE).

Keith was recognized for achievements throughout his career and was the recipient of awards that include Government Commendation for the Lockerbie Air Disaster and Prime Minister Commendation for his services to the Fire and Rescue Service.

Keith’s talk will take place at 6.00pm on Tuesday 26 June at The Broker's Wine Bar, Leadenhall Market, and be followed by an opportunity to network with the benefit of a cash bar.

The talk is free for members and their guests (£10.00 for non-members), but we ask you to register your intention to attend (ADD) so we can control numbers.

We look forward to seeing you and chatting over drinks. Please let your colleagues and friends know that they will be most welcome to attend.

Bill Perry

Chairman

I am pleased to give Notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Association that will be held at 5.30pm on Tuesday 26 June 2018 at The Broker’s Wine Bar, Leadenhall Market, EC3.

I welcome the opportunity for me to explain our proposals for 2018 to you in person and for the Board to report to you on the decisions made and what we achieved last year. I very much hope, therefore, that you or one of your colleagues will be able to attend to hear the results of our recent discussions and to join us in our enthusiasm for AirSP’s continued success.

The AGM will be followed by a presentation on fire investigation techniques, myths and mystery involving fires by Keith Murray, Rimkus Consulting, at 6.00pm.

To register, please click on FORTHCOMING EVENTS.

We very much hope you will be able to join us. Please bring as many guests as you can to this event – the more the merrier.

Please do not hesitate to contact me personally or any of the Board at any point. We very much welcome your continued input.

With very kind regards

Bill Perry

Chairman

What glass ceiling?

Ahead of the curve once again, AirSP celebrated International Women’s Day, with a cut glass seminar celebrating the diversity and inclusivity which lies at the heart of The City.

We were delighted to host Dame Inga Beale, the first female head of Lloyd’s of London, who’s message of “be true to yourself” has such relevance today beyond gender or other barriers.

The audience was truly captivated by Inga’s enthusiasm and drive for recognition of excellence wherever it lay - her own career is testimony to perseverance in the face of male dominance. But her overriding observation was that effort, expertise and application will always be recognised.

Robert Harrison

AirSP’s guest speaker on 6th February, Quentin Archer could not have been more relevant nor more informed and fascinating. GDPR was the subject. It is here. It is unavoidable and it is a considerable challenge to all in the insurance and reinsurance world. Yet Quentin introduced the complexities with ease and humour. A solid reflection on a good speaker is the Q&A to follow. There were many questions & all - both on the floor of the seminar & afterwards in the bar of the The Broker's Wine Bar, Leadenhall Market - generated more knowledge & informed comment by all attending.

Another highly entertaining & relevant seminar from AirSP.

Robert Harrison

Penny Hudson has spent many years working in Gibraltar obtaining authorisation for, and then running and managing, captives and agencies there. A familiar face at the Rendezvous de Septembre and other (re)insurance conferences, with global links and expertise, she joined Artex 4 years ago, since when she has spent two years working with the Malta office before returning to the UK to put her vast experience to work in compliance.

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With her specialist background and knowledge of the (re)insurance laws and practice of these different locations, with significant (re)insurance players, likely to be substantially impacted by Brexit, she talked to AirSP about the problems, risk and opportunities as Brexit draws closer. She explained how, so far as possible, the problems can be avoided, the risks managed and the opportunities taken by those seeking to do business in the UK and the EU in the years to come.

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Since no-one yet knows the parameters of the UK’s future relationship with the EU in (re)insurance, obviously precautions need to be taken. Both regulatory regimes (‘equivalence’ was mentioned in her speech and in much audience participation) and market access need careful assessment, and continuing monitoring as negotiations move forward.

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With nimble footwork and astute assessment, in which these smaller jurisdictions excel, and with the talent that they have, Penny believes and convinced her audience not only that the UK market should continue to thrive but also that Malta and Gibraltar will be able to accommodate to, and still have a valuable role, in the market in the future. They will continue to provide a launch’ platform for those wishing to insure risks in the EU and the UK.

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The watchword is: adaptability. We shall all have to adapt to the new regimes and relationships which Brexit will create. Malta and Gibraltar have the skills, and the (re)insurance base to be in the fore-front of the players doing so, and should remain players of whom everyone should take account.