Andreas Archives - Som2ny Network

Ep254 Emily Apple & Andreas Wichmann Alpha Insurance Analysts: Loyal Capital

admin — Sun, 25 May 2025 17:47:08 +0000

6 days ago

Today’s guests work at a Lloyd’s Members’ Agent.

Their job is to give advice and guidance to Names, the high net worth individuals providing underwriting capital to Lloyd’s Syndicates, and their clients provide just under a billion pounds of capacity to the market.

There was a time around 20 years ago when such a role might have been seen as perhaps a little quaint – one of those odd quirks that the Lloyd’s Market seems to specialise in.

Back then the brave new Lloyd’s was focused almost exclusively on corporate capital provision and private capital seemed to be condemned to a managed long-term relative decline.

A lot has changed since then.

These days Director and Head of Syndicate Analysis Emily Apple and Andreas Wichmann Business Development Director at Alpha Insurance Analysts are busy assessing a strong pipeline of both continuing and new business opportunities in the market as entrepreneurs rediscover the attraction of engaging a loyal and dedicated source of meaningful underwriting funds as part of their capital mix.

New forms of tenure for Names are also helping make them a more attractive source of capital to Managing Agents, while investors seem finally to be gaining more awareness of the many capital and fiscal advantages of underwriting as a private individual.

Emily and Andreas are hugely experienced, highly knowledgeable and great company.

They have a great overview of the Lloyd’s market and its prospects for ventures new and old and this podcast paints a detailed picture of the opportunities in the market from an investors’ perspective.

You’ll learn a lot and if you’ve ever wondered what it takes to become a Name and how the whole process works, this episode will give you all the information you need.

LINKS:
We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo:
https://www.advantagego.com

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Wonder & Vulnerability – ANDREA’S PERSPECTIVE

admin — Sun, 06 Apr 2025 00:03:50 +0000

The sounds of tiny baby birds echo through the leaves. The air is filled with the smells of spring. The green and golds painted in the scene give the eyes a fresh sense of newness. The long days of winter vanish into the memory ushering in the innocence of spring. A child gazes in awe at the tiny creatures whose upturned heads and open beaks beg for some nourishment.

We can only imagine what thoughts fleet through the child’s mind as the birds beckon their needs be fulfilled. Is there a sense of wonder that we see in her eyes? Is she puzzling over what those feathered friends are trying to tell her? They shout out, with constant chirping. Mouths open they reach toward where they anticipate their next meal.

The child has a sense of wonder. The birds display their neediness and dependence, their vulnerability. Many of us, as adults, have lost these qualities. As time goes on, we want to be independent and wish to rely on no one but ourselves. This painting reminds me to find my sense of wonder, as well as my sense of vulnerability in life. Finding these will give a deep richness in life, one that will never be regretted.

The lyrics from Lee Ann Womack fill my mind as I finish this blog…
“I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance…
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin’ might mean takin’ chances but they’re worth takin’
Lovin’ might be a mistake but it’s worth makin’
Don’t let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin’ out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance…”

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A Personal Journey – ANDREA’S PERSPECTIVE

admin — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 23:44:04 +0000

Often I worry about my art like most artists. “Is it good enough?” I have a sense of anxiety as I start a new piece.

Nicholas Wilton reminded me once again that “art is a personal journey, a process of discovering what brings you alive.” I find that when I have completed a piece that I’m happy with, I regain a bit of confidence and have a sense of satisfaction. Making art brings me joy and delight as I have proven to myself, yet again, that I can still make art.

At Sunset Cove Resort, where I recently spent a week of vacation, I wanted to give a gift to the owners, my uncle and aunt, to convey a sense of my appreciation for the week away. So I created this piece.

Pictured here is a scene from the Resort, some fishing boats dotted along the shoreline of Rice Lake as well as a cleaning shed for the numerous fishers that frequent the lake. This beautiful lake is 28 km long and 5 km wide and is recognized for its recreational and sports fisheries. The fish that are in these waters include panfish, walleye, muskellunge, and bass. With its beautiful sunsets and peaceful waters, the week spent at Sunset Cove gave me many memories that reflect my personal journey through life. The time away reminded me of what it is to live and love life. The time away gave me moments to reflect and moments to learn.

Everyone has their own personal journey. I’d love to hear about yours and am grateful that you are joining me as I journey, through the eyes of this blog.

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A Muskoka Chair – ANDREA’S PERSPECTIVE

admin — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 09:22:36 +0000

Colourful Muskoka Chairs sitting along the shoreline of a summer lakeview. In Canada, few things are as iconic. These chairs have the ability to provide an escape from the cares of the world. When sitting quietly, we can be immersed into the natural landscape surrounding us.
A Muskoka Chair signifies:

eight hours a day on a dock
dipping toes in the water
cooking up on a barbecue
smores beneath starry skies
hiking and biking, bug spray and sunscreen
leaving behind the typical and escaping to something simple

Here is a poem I wrote inspired by this artwork and my time away on a holiday:

“Sitting by the water, Worries seem smaller
Waves and wind, Take it all in,
Beautiful sunsets, As close as one gets
Beneath the starry skies, Hearing the crickets’ cries
In both daytime and night, The universe seems right
In our Muskoka Chair, We escape a world of care.”

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Whitecaps and Wings – ANDREA’S PERSPECTIVE

admin — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 18:48:04 +0000

The sounds of waves rolling onto a beach with seagulls overhead fill my ears as I paint this scene.

What thoughts pass through my mind as I paint ? What passes through your mind looking at this painting?

“Ride the Wave” is one phrase that sticks in my mind. Sometimes we seem to be on a ride, almost like a rollercoaster and want to get off. But the ride can’t stop…we are on the ride and need to “ride the storm” to the end.

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass,
it’s about learning to dance in the rain”
(Vivian Greene).

Sometimes we all need to be reminded to make the best of the life we’ve been given with all its frustrations and limitations, finding purpose and fulfilment despite the pain and exhaustion that the waves of life throw my way. It’s about living in the moment and finding acceptance and happiness right now without the judgment of the past or expectations for the future.

Life is not about waiting—it’s about living.

There is a peaceful dependability of the sun setting over the horizon. A knowledge that there is stability even amidst the storm. The gulls crying, the waves rising, will all give way once again to peaceful waters

Life is about changing, nothing ever stays the same.

We ride the waves of our lives and try to make the most of each moment in the firm knowledge that the waves will subside and the storm will eventually end. The awe-inspiring colours of a sunset are a glimpse of the hope for a future, whether here on this earth or across the waters…

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Inktober 2021 Be Kind – ANDREA’S PERSPECTIVE

admin — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 03:05:24 +0000

As we move through the month of October, I have taken on the Inktober Challenge. A challenge to improve inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. I have challenged myself to make an ink sketch every day this month. I have finished a week and have been enjoying this challenge immensely. I like the way each sketch tells and story and speaks to my heart. I hope they speak to your heart too!

Clothe yourselves every day
Whether we work or whether we play
With kindness and love
Gifts from above.

Each day a season
Each day a reason
To give and share
To love and care

Whether a coffee for two
To get us through
Or some time we spend
With a good friend

The journey we travel
May quickly unravel
Turn hearts to despair
Sad and without a care

The Help and the cheer
Will comfort those who fear
The Help we offer
Will help those who suffer

Just one more step
May be all that kept
A heart from going bust
One more step to help to trust

You never know what kind of wars
Are going on behind closed doors
So this blog is to remind
To always be kind

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Inktober Week 2 – ANDREA’S PERSPECTIVE

admin — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 02:04:38 +0000

As the warm weather ushers us deeper into October, I’m reminded to be Thankful. We just finished Thanksgiving weekend, with all its turkey dinners and family get-togethers. Giving thanks is appropriate this time of year as we watch the trees turn to vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. The fields turn golden ready for harvest. Crops are beginning to come off of the fields. Today I am thankful for life’s many blessings

Somedays…somedays are easy, other days are not so easy. Some days are good days, other days are not so good. As we move from summer to fall; as we move from moment to moment, I pray that you will be able to find the strength to see small joys in your “Some Days”.

“Comparison Destroys Personality” Sometimes we judge ourselves by what we see in others. Often it is better to focus on our individuality instead of trying to be like someone else. Instead, let others inspire you, not deflate or define you. The more we come ourselves to others, the more we lose ourselves. May we work towards being a truer version of ourselves.

“Be the Light”. An urban scene with a streetlight front and centre is reminding us to Be the Light. This world seems so full of darkness. I pray that we work to be a ray of sunshine for someone else. It is easy to do and will make the world a better place, one ray at a time!

“Sweet Nectar”. Hummingbirds are the smallest bird in the world and are lighter than a dime. They visit hundreds of flowers every day. Such a tiny, delicate creature is so beautiful to see. This piece was fun to make, allowing my pen to turn and swirl as if it had a mind of its own in the flowers. Hummingbirds are so small, yet do so much. We can take a lesson from this. We may be small and seemingly insignificant, but yet together we can bring so much light to those around us.

As I walked the Port Maitland Pier this past week, a fisherman seemed to be the perfect subject matter. Just a few fishers dotted the pier the day I went for a walk, found a bench and sketched this drawing. The fisherman, with his straw hat and baggy clothes holds a makeshift fishing pole from a tree branch and a piece of rope. Sometimes all we need are a few simple things to find the pleasures in life and be Hooked.

I hope you have enjoyed me reminisce the past week of Inktober.
Till next time,
Life is better together!

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“11 Parthenon Street, Ayios Andreas, 1105 Nicosia, Cyprus” at Point Centre for Contemporary Art, Nicosia

admin — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 01:43:25 +0000

At the confluence of the familiarity provided by the home and its capacity to give one freedom to experiment, there is a small, imaginary room. Its walls can be made of anything you like—cell membrane, mosquito nets, a eucalyptus fence—but its dimensions are always conditional on the space needed for your various fantasies to stretch their arms and legs, to contemplate what’s outside and invite it inside. “11 Parthenon, Ayios Andreas, 1105 Nicosia, Cyprus” is our way of launching this space, of asking it to disclose itself to whatever is waiting outside. We invite you to join this exhibition like this, to enter it knowing your presence is both intervening and surrendering.

Being asked to take off your shoes or coat, to hang your bag on the hook by the door, upon entering a home, is as much a representation of a sudden increase in awareness of the body, of one’s presence in a room, as much as it is an act of disarmament. Look at Arnold Böcklin’s Spring Awakening—beyond its physical conversation on colour and the body, it does a strange thing for perspective: positioned carefully, the placing of each figure suggests to the viewer that you are at the front door of this painting, at the front door of their forest, swinging momentarily between having been granted permission to enter and willing your body to step through it. The uncertainty of what lies behind the figures is a proposition for openness, for all the insects you might find, for all the variations in redness, in micro pockets of water, in moods, for all the things, real and not real, that are moving towards something.

In this way we invite you into this space. We locate a lightness in this invitation, a permission to be ghostly and lingering, as much as there is license to be bound by something you might find inside, to use a tool or make one, to be hosted or be the host, to decide what makes up the forest and what divides it.
—Penelope Ioannou

Participating artists:
Michael Anastassiades, Penelope Ioannou, Michael Kleine, Roman Lemberg, Marietta Mavrokordatou, Hana Miletić, Aristotelis Nikolas Mochloulis, Rodrigo Ortiz Monasterio, Shinji Nakaba, Christodoulos Panayiotou, Petrit Halilaj & Álvaro Urbano, Vittorio Visciano, Valentina Desideri & Constantina Zavitsanos

Conceived by
Andre Zivanari and Haris Epaminonda

at Point Centre for Contemporary Art, Nicosia
until February 9, 2025

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