The Association of British Insurers (ABI), the leading trade association for insurers and providers of long term savings, has announced Alastair Ross will join as their new Head of Public Policy (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) starting in March.
Ross will be based in Edinburgh and lead the ABI’s growing engagement with the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government, the Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive, and the Welsh Assembly and Welsh Government. This will include work on key devolved issues including flooding, civil justice, health and elements of welfare policy, transport, income tax and its impact on long term savings.
Currently Ross is Director of Public Policy with international law firm Pinsent Masons LLP and also Convener of industry body the Association for Scottish Public Affairs. He boasts almost 20 years of public affairs experience and is one of Scotland’s leading public affairs professionals. Before joining Pinsent Masons, he managed government relations for Bank of Scotland and then HBOS plc. He started his career in newspapers and then public relations.
Louise Hanson, the ABI’s Director of Advocacy, said: “In an increasingly devolved United Kingdom, developing and explaining policy that works for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is increasingly important. Alastair brings with him a depth of experience and knowledge that will put the ABI in good stead to ensure the insurance industry is well understood across the whole of the UK.“
Commenting on his appointment, Alastair Ross said: “I’m delighted to be joining the ABI as we move into an important phase of devolution in the UK with the administrations in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff receiving new powers and responsibilities. It’s becoming more important for business to engage with the devolved levels of government across the UK and I’m looking forward to leading the ABI’s work in this area”.