London exec Wade celebrates with Moorfields appeal and Beethoven’s 5th

In 1986, Michael Wade became the youngest London market professional to be appointed to the Lloyd’s Council at the age of 32.

Yesterday evening, the well-known industry figure celebrated reaching the more venerable age of 70 by conducting Beethoven’s 5th Symphony with the Southbank Sinfonia.

It was – as Wade explained – an appropriate choice reflecting the anger and uncertainty currently felt by many in the world but ending with a sense of hope and light.

The timing was also entirely appropriate considering only a few hours earlier British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had surprised many by announcing a general election to take place on 4 July.

Wade – in addition to being a prominent insurance executive and entrepreneur – has strong political connections with the Conservative Party and was a former Crown Representative and adviser to the Cabinet Secretary. He received an OBE in 2018 for services to the British economy,

The concert took place in London’s political heartland – St John’s in Westminster – and was attended by hundreds of friends, family and colleagues from the world of insurance. Guests also heard from Professors Jim Bainbridge and Anthony Khawaja, who are leading ground-breaking research into genetic eye conditions at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.

Wade is a major supporter of their work and the Moorfields Eye charity and further details on how to donate to the fundraising appeal can be seen here.