June 1st wasn’t just a regular Sunday for us, as we weren’t at home resting or going for a picnic with friends. Instead, we went karting with colleagues in London.

We’re so glad we had the chance to organize a karting event for our friends and partners from the insurance world and spend some quality time together. The excitement went through the roof as everyone gathered at the “Buckmore Park”, one of London’s most iconic karting circuits. Preparation went along with chats and drinks, and soon after, the insurance specialists from more than 15 companies were ready to race.

Although this was not a common environment for most of us, we couldn’t help but notice some connections between the insurance industry and karting: teamwork is crucial, a dynamic environment, and you need to remain calm under pressure. You could sense the excitement and adrenaline rush as we put on our karting suits. 

“What a fun day of karting and networking – not a sentence usually said! Thanks, OIP, it was a top drawer event!” – Olly Venables, Insurity.

The race started with a little warm-up and went from qualifying laps to a 3-hour endurance challenge. We were lucky to visit London on a sunny day and enjoy the weather and the company. The event became more amusing when we saw Anwar Beroual-Smith, a professional karting driver who joined us on the track.

After an exciting day full of adrenaline, it was time to announce the winners. The winning team was “Ki Knows”, consisting of Dan Walsh (Ardonagh), Reid Stanway (KI Insurance), Anthony Marianne (KI Insurance), and Scott Walters (Price Forbes). 

“Super fun, thank you so much for having me and especially to my teammates for carrying Reid and me to victory.” – Anthony Marianne, KI Insurance

Our day at Buckmore Park wasn’t just about racing; it was about learning, connecting, and seeing our team in a new way. We stepped out of our comfort zone, and some of us tried karting for the first time, but we’re already hoping to make this a traditional annual event. The next day, we all went to work more energized and inspired, but more importantly, built trust with our partners and connected on another level through this event.