Just six months on from Miles Fanning Legal Services joining the QuestGates group, we asked Mark Fanning to reflect on the integration and the benefits the business has experienced so far.
What attracted you to join forces with QuestGates?
Working in the insurance sector meant that I recognised QuestGates as a well-respected supplier and that was an important part of my decision making when it came to looking for suitable partner, but I was also looking for something different. It would have been the obvious choice to join a large established insurance law practice, but I wanted something more dynamic and not simply to get assimilated into a large business and lose our identity. We wanted to feel like we could make a real difference to the existing business.
Since becoming part of the QuestGates group, what have been the biggest benefits for both your team and your clients?
Being part of QuestGates has made difference for the team in terms of the support they have received from being part of a larger organisation, and, for the clients, the synergies are already becoming apparent with the broader range of services available to them.
How has the integration gone so far and has anything surprised you since joining the group?
It has gone well. I think we have made more of a difference to the existing business than we had perhaps anticipated, but that is testament to the dynamic nature of the business which is always looking to learn and improve. That was part of the attraction to QuestGates in the first place.
What opportunities has being part of a larger claims solutions group created?
It is quite early days, but I feel already that opportunities are starting to present themselves that we would not have considered taking on had we remained a small standalone business.
Miles Fanning Legal has an excellent reputation within the travel, tourism and marine sectors. What makes these areas so specialist?
They are niche in terms of the complexity of the legal issues presented and insurance arrangements and the claims are different to mainstream injury work due to the international aspects.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I am a people person at heart, and I love to get out to meet claims managers, brokers, underwriters, and policyholders. Working with the QuestGates London Market Team has probably been the icing on the cake for me and I am excited to see how far we can go in the London market with a comprehensive legal offering supplementing the existing QuestGates services. They are a brilliant team, and I am looking forward to working collaboratively with them moving forwards.
Looking ahead, what are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the travel claims sector?
The increased cost of foreign travel has made life tough for travel companies, although sales have remained remarkably resilient. Consumer expectations have been raised to reflect that additional cost and that combined with the use, by consumers, of AI to formulate claims is likely to increase claims costs and drive frequency. On the flip side, the 2026 revision of the Package Travel Regulations will present some improved recovery opportunities for underwriters when it comes into force next year but in my view, the Regulations will have a minimal impact on claims numbers as the majority of the Regulations have been left largely untouched.
Finally, what advice would you give to someone considering a career in the claims and legal sector?
The insurance legal sector is a great place to develop a fascinating, fulfilling and varied career. As it is such a broad sector, my advice would be to find an area that you are passionate about and specialise early.
You can find out more about Miles Fanning Legal Services here