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RISKbitz: South African Forum marred by controversy
20 July 2010
The recent Global Insurance and Reinsurance Chief Executives' Forum, which took place in June and July in South Africa, saw some lively debate and free-flowing dialogue, until controversy erupted over magic markers and French in-fighting.
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The recent Global Insurance and Reinsurance Chief Executives' Forum, which took place in June and July in South Africa, saw some lively debate and free-flowing dialogue.
The controversial decision not to use new technology at the Forum, with moderators still using old fashioned overhead projectors, was condemned by English visitors. Our team of chief executives was forced to return home early as a result of a magic marker malfunction.
“If only they’d had a laptop we could have made a strong Powerpoint presentation and still be in with a chance,” said a disappointed Mocha Re Chief executive and chairman, Sir Norbert ‘Nobby’ Johnson. “But my game plan came apart when the magic marker ran out ink."
The English chief executives had been expected to perform well at the Forum, but in one of the opening debates, they were well beaten by the US delegates. “We took our eye off the ball,” said Wayne Looney, CEO of Use Less Insurance. Upon return to the UK, most of the English CEOs were immediately sacked.
However, it was the French delegates who caused the biggest scandal, with disagreements, infighting and verbal abuse, all before they had left their conference hotel rooms. “Eet was all Jacques' fault,” said Debaucher Re chief executive Jean-Claude Bidet. “He eez an idiot”. Jacques Batard, CEO of Dysent Re, denied he was to blame. “If only Jean-Claude had head-butted someone in the chest, eet would have been OK. But all he did was show people eez business cards.”
The event was spoiled for many people in the audience at the Forum by the continuous droning noise of speakers making their presentations. “I didn’t get a wink of sleep after lunch. They should be banned,” said everyone.