Budget blues and West Ham disappoint

Wednesday 31st March 2010

By Steve Devine, business development manager at IGI Insurance and chair of Protect

What a week. I apologise now, this is going to be more of a suicide note than a blog.

West Ham - what can I say? A truly dismal performance against Wolves and a bad result against Stoke (those were our home bankers!) plus two sets of cruel results that have propelled the Hammers closer towards the Championship.
 
Golf - I recently came 3rd in the Fox Golf Society's first event of the season. Battling against rain and near gale force winds on an exposed and difficult course. I know 3rd's not bad, except that is, when it was my son who pipped me on count back for second, and the winner was my son-in law. As you can imagine I am taking some heavy flak.
 
The Budget - no crumbs of comfort there at all. Combined with the knowledge that the real pain and suffering will be inflicted after the General Election, I don't really feel like voting for anyone, in truth - the expenses scandal has dented my trust in politicians. They must surely be propping up bankers, insurers, and estate agents (and don’t forget journalists – ed.) at the foot of the popularity charts. Vince Cable appears to be the only senior figure with any credibility. Mind you, can a Lib-Dem be a senior figure?
 
Creditor Insurance - Axa has announced it is terminating its contract with Berkley Alexander to underwrite two mortgage payment protection insurance products – MortgageSure and Mortgagesure Plus after the 31st of March.
 
I read today that according to a survey by the Confederation of British Industry and PWC, that general insurance optimism is at it lowest point since Sept 2008. Thanks for that chaps - there's a surprise.
 
Come on everyone cheer up! Lets fight back and get some positive vibes going. There are a lot of good things going on too, despite the doom and gloom.
I have to say the Exeter Friendly Society, who seem to have had a constant stream of positive news stories to share lately are one example. Last week their new website portal www.exeterfamily.co.uk won the South West region's Media innovations award for 2010. This week they announce the appointment of Mike O'Brien as their new head of intermediary sales, to reinforce their commitment to the intermediary market.

On that positive note, I will sign off and try and turn things around. I cannot do anything for West Ham, other than pray but I will make a determined effort to be as positive and cheerful for as long as I can.

Steve Devine is business development manager at IGI insurance Company and chairs Protect - the Association of UK Creditor Insurers
Steve joined IGI this year from Cardif Pinnacle (formerly Pinnacle Insurance) where he spent 15 years, the last seven as the head of group corporate communications. Before that he was head of general insurance with Hambro Countrywide, the estate agency group.
Steve is married with four children and as a long-suffering West Ham fan he has learned to cope with difficult and extended lean times.