1. Richard J. Szrabe here. I'm a retired London barrister (Middle Temple, 1982-2009). I retired in good standing 2009. In 2011 I changed my surname from Astor to Szrabe.

2. From 1991 to 2006, for most of the 1991-2009 Lloyd's of London scandals, I was professionally involved in advising Names, Names action groups, policyholders, policyholders' lawyers, etc.; writing books and articles ; speaking at conferences and workshops; appearing on TV and radio; and speaking up vociferously, whenever and wherever I appropriately could, on behalf of the victims.

3. Now, 2026, I've decided to write a book for the general reader on what happened; and I already have an eye on the movie and the documentary. I'm aiming for the book to be the definitive account of what happened. The project needs to get done for the historical, business and legal records. I'm probably one of very few people who can do it.

4. The book, due Summer 2027, is probably going to be called The Policy — Lloyd's of London's Insolvency 1991-2009. It has its own website.

5. This project's expenses are going to include the cost of graphics, simulations, animations, design, the creation of apps and games, and travel to visit sources (Names, retired insiders, etc.) and source material. I describe them, and the rewards available to donors, here. This project will not fund itself, is not a hobby or a charity, and needs to be done properly. That takes money — in this case, a relatively trivial amount considering the objectives of a data-intensive book, a documentary requiring media personnel, and a movie requiring a sensibly priced screenwriter.

6. I urge everyone interested in this project to give generously and watch it develop into a very satisfying, very respectable, sustainable professional endeavour for the permanent record.