ABI: Maggie Craig appointed ABI

ABI: Maggie Craig appointed ABI’s first director of Scottish affairs

ABI: Maggie Craig appointed ABI’s first director of Scottish affairs

The ABI’s Maggie Craig has today been appointed the ABI’s (Association of British Insurers) first Director of Scottish Affairs, to provide a specific focus on Scotland at the heart of ABI. Her appointment was announced on the day that the ABI hosts a reception in Edinburgh for Members of the Scottish Parliament, Scottish business groups and publishes ABI in Scotland.

The move recognises the increasing importance of the insurance industry in Scottish daily life, on issues such as flood risk management and personal injury reform. Maggie, who lives near Cumbernauld and is the ABI’s Director of Life and Savings, said:

“I am delighted to take on this role. The insurance industry serves almost every family in Scotland, and millions of people throughout the UK and overseas. It is home to many major financial businesses, and in these difficult times it is more important than ever that ABI is representing them. I will be developing wider and deeper relationships with the Scottish Government, Scottish Financial Enterprise and the media to promote Scotland’s financial services sector and the interests of Scottish customers.”

Stephen Haddrill, the ABI’s Director General, said:

“This is an important appointment, and reflects the reputation of Scotland as a leader and innovator within the global financial services industry. Whether decisions are taken in Edinburgh, London or Brussels, we will ensure that the views and interests of our Scottish members and their customers are represented.”

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Notes for Editors

1. Enquiries to:
Jonathan French 020 7216 7392 (Mobile: 07958 330 480)
Malcolm Tarling 020 7216 7410 (Mobile: 07776 147 667)
Erfan Hussain 020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 07712 841 184)
Kelly Ostler-Coyle 020 7216 7415 (Mobile: 07968 364 302)

2. Maggie Craig joined the ABI in July 2007, from Standard Life Assurance Ltd. Between 2003-2007 she was Head of Public Affairs and Communication Strategy. From1989-2000, she was Standard Life press spokesperson on pensions. In between, she was Pensions Development Manager for Scottish Equitable. All these roles involved a wide variety of lobbying, policy and media work.

Maggie has been in financial services since graduating from Glasgow University in 1979. She has worked for an employee benefits consultancy, as an IFA and on secondment to the Department of Work and Pensions, as well as for Standard Life and Scottish Equitable. Her knowledge and experience of financial services and pensions policy issues is extensive.

Maggie has put that experience to excellent use on several ABI committees and working groups, and she represented the ABI as a member of Alan Pickering’s pensions simplification review team. She has also contributed to many other legislative and regulatory consultations, including the Pensions Act 1995 and the FSA’s Treating Customers Fairly.

Maggie is married with three daughters and lives near Cumbernauld.

3. The ABI has published The ABI in Scotland, setting out key issues for the insurance industry in Scotland. It can be downloaded from the ABI web site, www.abi.org.uk.

4. The ABI is the voice of the insurance and investment industry. Its members constitute over 90 per cent of the insurance market in the UK and 20 per cent across the EU. They control assets equivalent to a quarter of the UK’s capital. They are the risk managers of the UK’s economy and society. Through the ABI their voice is heard in Government and in public debate on insurance, savings and investment matters.

5. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.

Copies of all ABI news releases, together with other information from the Association, can be seen on our website http://www.abi.org.uk