The Syndicate up and running

The first report from new industry research body, The Syndicate is focusing on consumer behaviour and self-image in a protection setting.

Introducing the initiative and its rolling programme of research, Peter Le Beau, chairman of the Protection Review, said: "A new initiative in the research world, The Syndicate is an initiative begun by Hannover Life Re and the Protection Review looking at the protection market in particular, but spanning the who0le of life and pensions."

He added that members of The Syndicate also include Exeter Family Friendly, Friends Life, Zurich and Finance IT Network.

Stuart Paton Evans, general manager, business development at Hannover life Re, added; "These are interesting times for the protection industry.

"At the heart of everything we do is the consumer, so we have here a research programme which will continually monitor both consumer behaviours and attitudes to our industry and its products.

"This research will be across the whole of the UK and is targeted at a nationally representative sample. We hope to get an idea for both the strategy of the protection market and for product design.

"We have four core questions; how consumers see the world around them; any changes in behaviour due to the current challenging environment; the effect of Government messaging on attitudes and how consumers see themselves and their awareness.

"The idea is to gain a greater insight so that we can, if necessary, change the way that we approach the market."