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I instantly agreed and next day James brought the slip to my office. Never in my life had I seen such an impressive insurance document.
The slip itself was 8 pages long accompanied by a convolute of appendices, lists of insured risks and statistics. The highest insurance sum was for GBP 1.7 billion for the drilling platform ‚Piper Alpha‘, (which later should become a horrendous loss) then equal to about $US 3.4 billion.
The deposit premium was indicated at GBP 150,000,000. Page on page at the end of the slip there were percentages of shares with reference numbers, signatures and stamps of the insurers – and endless list. A historic document, I thought, deeply impressed. It was the most prestigious slip of the London Market, and I was surely proud to be given such an opportunity. I applied all of my acquired skills in negotiating and appealed to the personal links with the two chosen insurers, and so I succeeded in placing a share of 2.5%, worth a premium of 3.375 million. I felt that people were well disposed to me. The commission we would share, which meant a commission of over £84,000 for our firm for the work of two days! An unexpected sideline success that won me a substantial increase in respect from my colleagues. Ray Barley said simply:
„How did you mange to pull that off? Did you threaten to march in with the German army?“
„No ...“
I answered,
„I greeted him with Heil Hitler – you know the old method – always works with you English Nazis.“
An John added mischievously.
"CAYZER STEEL BOWATER has not been asked, it was Anglo Continental - because of our reputation.
oOo
This success demanded celebration in style and we choose "Langhans‘s Brasserie“ for the occasion - an iconic institution in London of that time - and probably is still so today. A Meeting place of celebrities from the film - and music industry with their entourages and „hanger‘s on“ mingled with successful businessmen and, of course Lloyd's Broker - because they were everywhere. We sat at a table upstairs, when Joan Collins - the Star of the international soap opera "Dynasty" - entered the restaurant and was warmly welcomed by the manager - she stood for a moment alone at the bar and waited for her table, that was studiously prepared by the manager and two waiters.
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