The countdown has started and in a month’s time it will be day two of Biba 2026. Alistair Rose, managing director at Granite, pitches quality over quantity when it comes to Biba Conference interactions, not least during the more chilled out Thursday when the vibes allow time for deeper connections.

The tagline for the 2026 Biba conference is ‘Time:To’. In your view, what is it ‘Time:To Do…’ over the next 12 months if you are an ambitious insurance broker looking to prosper?

I know that most ambitious insurance brokers don’t need any advice. But I think those that will succeed are likely to stay closer than ever to their clients in this rapidly changing world – ensuring they’re one step ahead of their competitors in terms of understanding what clients really want and need.

They will build deeper partnerships with key insurers by offering something different to their competitors, for example in terms of risk selection or validation, making them valuable partners. And they will make targeted investments in technology, data and AI to make their businesses more efficient over the long term.

What is your favourite time of the day(s) at the Biba conference and why?

It’s all great. From Tuesday evening drinks events (do drop in at the Granite Underwriting event); to the buzz of the main conference hall on the Wednesday, catching up with so many existing and potential new broker partners on our stand (stand A30); and to the more chilled out Thursday vibes in the conference hall or on the conference stages, allowing more time for deeper connections.

For first-time Biba Conference attendees reading this, what would be your biggest piece/s of advice to help them survive the two-day event?

Be clear what you’re looking to get out of the event – be that staying abreast of industry developments, deepening existing partnerships or striking a new deal. Plan in advance how you want to spend your time – quality is often better than quantity.

And pace yourself – that way you won’t just survive but thrive.

Do you have plans for the evening/s at Biba 2026 – if so what are they?

Yes, on the Tuesday evening we’re hosting an open event for all brokers, with the support of colleagues from our claims team – giving an opportunity for brokers to dig deeper into the world of claims and to catch-up with our underwriting and broker development teams.

And on the Wednesday evening we’re hosting an invite-only dinner for some of our brokers that we have the biggest and deepest partnerships with, enabling us to say thanks for their support over the last year and discuss opportunities to do even more for them over the next year.

The Biba Conference has become synonymous with Manchester, but if it was Time:To move venue next year, where would the dream location be and why?

It would have to be across to Liverpool – just a short hop from Granite Underwriting’s home in Formby – and a city that blends deep heritage and culture.

The North West is quickly emerging as a hub of technology, innovation and development, and this is the case as much in Liverpool as it is up the M62.

Come Monday 18 May, when you are fully back in ‘day job mode’ and have Time:To reflect, what factors will determine whether you have had a successful Biba 2026 or not?

The quality of conversations with both existing and new potential brokers, learning new things about both the businesses and people we work with, and whether it puts us in a better position to adapt and fine-tune our plans for the next 12 months to provide them with even more support.