Event Summary

LMF was proud to bring together its Market Ambassadors for an exclusive and very special evening at the Tower of London, recognising the contribution of those members of the LMF community who shine, from their contribution at the numerous thought leadership sessions we organise, to helping direct the content for the “free to access” learning and development programme we put on for practitioners in all roles and from all levels of experience.

Over the past 12 years, LMF has worked to build one of the Market’s most active, respected and established professional communities, bringing practitioners together to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and develop valuable professional relationships.

While roundtables, summits, Practice Groups and other educational events remain at the heart of LMF’s activities, the organisation has always recognised the importance of creating opportunities for Market professionals to connect in a social setting, beyond the traditional business environment.

On Wednesday 30 September 2026, we brought this to life through an exclusive, invitation-only gathering at one of London’s most historic landmarks, the Tower of London.

A Unique Experience at the Tower of London

The evening began with a drinks reception, followed by a fascinating private tour of the Tower of London, delivered by one of the Yeoman Wardens, offering Ambassadors an opportunity to discover more about the history and traditions of one of Britain’s most iconic landmarks.

Guests were also treated to a rare opportunity to visit the Yeoman Warders’ own pub within the walls of the Tower, providing a memorable setting to catch up with fellow Ambassadors, make new connections and enjoy conversations away from the usual demands of the working day. During the evening, our ambassadors participated in a charity raffle, organised by the Yeoman Wardens, raising £400 for local charities.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the historic Ceremony of the Keys, the traditional nightly locking-up ceremony at the Tower of London.

Witnessing this centuries-old tradition was a particularly special experience for those attending and provided a fitting conclusion to an evening designed to recognise and reward the people who contribute so much to the LMF community.

For many of those present, it was a unique opportunity to experience a different side of London, right on the door step of our offices, while spending time with colleagues and friends from across the insurance Market.

LMF Founder and CEO Roger Oldham described the occasion as one of the highlights of the organisation’s 12-year history, reflecting on the importance of creating experiences that remain in the memories of Market professionals long after an event has concluded.

Recognising Six LMF Market Ambassadors

The evening also provided a wonderful opportunity to formally recognise five practitioners for their contributions to the LMF community and their appointment as LMF Market Ambassadors.

LMF was delighted to present our beautiful Gold Pin and Certificates of Appreciation to:

• Darren Lawler
• Elena Fanelli
• Leighton Williams
• Ellie Martin
• Stephanie Kovatchev

Each was recognised for their valued involvement in LMF activities and their commitment to supporting the wider London Market community.

Ambassadors represent a diverse range of disciplines, organisations and professional backgrounds across the Market, helping to ensure that LMF remains an inclusive, non-partisan and welcoming association for all.

LMF congratulates all five Ambassadors on their appointment and looks forward to their continued involvement.

Building a Community Beyond the Meeting Room

One of LMF’s longstanding principles is that a successful professional community must be about more than simply attending industry events.

Knowledge sharing, professional development and addressing important Market challenges are essential, but equally valuable are the relationships and friendships that develop when people are brought together through shared experiences.

Over the years, LMF has created a wide variety of opportunities for practitioners to engage with one another, from technical discussions and specialist roundtables to networking gatherings, social activities and special community occasions.

Events such as the Ceremony of the Keys provide an opportunity to recognise those who contribute to the community while strengthening the personal connections that make future collaboration possible.

These experiences are particularly important in a rapidly changing insurance Market, where professionals increasingly benefit from having trusted networks through which they can exchange ideas, discuss common challenges and learn from one another. Whilst an individual may move firms during their career, their association with LMF continues, and we get to see people professionally grow and prosper over the years.

The Ambassador programme plays an important part in fostering these connections, encouraging experienced and engaged practitioners to support the wider community and help shape future LMF activities, and develop younger professionals.

A Growing and Increasingly Engaged Market Community

With more than 11,000 practitioners in its wider community and a programme of over 30 events each year, LMF continues to provide a platform for collaboration, learning and professional engagement. We’ve recently achieved 10,000 followers on LinkedIn, which is an amazing milestone for us and reflects the interest in the community we’ve built.

As technological innovation, changing business models and emerging industry challenges reshape the Market, the value of bringing practitioners together to share experiences and perspectives is arguably greater than ever.

A Special Thank You

LMF would like to extend its sincere thanks to Wendy Jean-Paul, the Yeoman Warders and everyone who helped organise and host such an exceptional evening.

A special thank you also goes to all LMF Market Ambassadors for their continued support, generosity and enthusiasm.

Join the LMF Community

As the London Market continues to evolve, LMF remains committed to bringing practitioners together through meaningful discussions, valuable learning opportunities and memorable shared experiences.

Whether you are looking to broaden your professional network, contribute to important industry conversations or simply become more involved in the wider Market community, there has never been a better time to get involved. Membership and events are free for all insurance professionals, and our doors are also open to suppliers and advisers.

Join one of the London Market’s most active and established professional communities.

Register for free practitioner membership, explore upcoming events and discover more about the LMF community.