They have all helped mould Ferma into what it has become today—a serious lobbying group for the European risk and insurance community that people who matter at the European Commission and parliament actually listen to—rather than merely an excuse to meet up for a nice dinner in Brussels now and again.

But, I would have to say, that, of all the presidents listed above, Peter den Dekker has to be the most energetic proponent of the industry to date.

I travel to all the key industry events because that is what we do—report on what really matters for you, the risk and insurance manager, before anyone else and in more depth than anyone else.

But what amazes me is the fact that Peter is also always there, banging the drum for your profession and mixing with the people that matter and, at every opportunity, stating your case.

Earlier this month, as Ferma is amongst the mayhem of organising its Forum in Stockholm, he jumped on a plane to clash horns with leading lights including Torsten Jeworrek, Head of Reinsurance at Munich Re, Mike McGavick, CEO of XL, Hemant Shah, CEO and founder of RMS and Grahame Chilton, Chairman of Aon Benfield and Vice Chairman of Aon Group, to take part in the main debate at this year’s Monte Carlo Rendez-Vous, chaired by myself.

Peter represented the risk manager’s view as strongly as ever and made the point on behalf of the buying community—this was not a jolly but bloody hard work.

If ever there was a case for a full time president of Ferma then this is the man. If not, then, as a profession, you really need to give this chap a collective pat on the back because he and the team at Ferma, Florence Bindelle and Pierre Sonigo too, have done a brilliant job over the last two years, really focused the federation on what really matters and gone for it.

It is great news that Jorge Luzzi of Pirelli has taken the torch from Peter because he is also a highly energetic, imaginative and open individual who will no doubt ensure that Ferma does not retreat into a purely European-focused shell.

Risk and insurance managers with most member associations face global problems and need global solutions from their insurers and brokers and Jorge looks like just the man to help deliver.

All you have to do is rise from the humdrum pattern of your day to day working life and support your new president more than ever before to make sure he does what you want and when you want it.

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