Voices
Broking success: Retaining independence and recruiting fresh talent
Richard Ingleby, managing director of Castlemead Insurance Brokers, highlights the importance of independent intermediaries and the need for more younger employees to infiltrate the sector.
Broking Success: Staying in a positive mindset
Operations director at amb Insurance Services, Peter Lycett, spoke with Sophie Locke-Cooper about why he has remained in insurance, and the importance of getting your culture right.
National Cyber Security Centre urges businesses not to pay ransomware demands
The CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre, Lindy Cameron, has urged businesses not to pay cyber criminals’ ransom and to instead set up reliable defence systems.
Manchester, Liverpool and the buoyant North West are under the spotlight
As we put Covid-19 behind us, Sophie Locke-Cooper discovers brokers in the North West are positive about the prospects of the local market despite worldwide economic challenges such as inflation and UK-wide issues such as recruitment and talent retention.
Allianz to help brokers with underinsurance concerns
Brokers are requesting additional insurer support on valuations of businesses including SMEs according to director of digital trading at Allianz UK, Helen Bryant.
Sicsic warns brokers leaseholder commission disclosure sets a ‘precedent’
Michael Sicsic, managing partner of Sicsic Advisory, urged brokers to review all their remuneration arrangements following the Financial Conduct Authority’s report today revealing incompetence and unjustifiable remuneration in the buildings’ insurance…
Broking Success: Spotting a gap in the market
James Noble, CEO of My First, details how he started the broker because he noticed a gap in the motor market for first time drivers who needed guidance when searching for the right cover.
Cowbell enters UK cyber market targeting SME brokers
US cyber specialist Cowbell has entered the UK market with plans to sell its products exclusively through brokers.
Markerstudy chief outlines challenges over salary expectations and broker telematics
Mike Wall, Markerstudy head of non-standard, described the challenges facing its telematics brand Smart Driver Club Insurance in a very competitive market.
Pen Underwriting CEO eyes more M&A to get closer to £1bn GWP target
Pen Underwriting CEO Tom Downey claims the business is on track to hit its £1bn GWP target within three years - and that it will reach it by both diversifying and building on what it has already got.
Spring Insure looks to court brokers in UK professional indemnity launch
Managing general agent Spring Insure has launched a commercial professional indemnity product in the UK and Ireland with backing from a new capacity provider.
Analysis: The powerful surge in record-breaking tradesman premiums
Insurance Age unpacks the impact of inflation, changing customer needs and rising demand along with the shifting insurer appetite in tradesman insurance.
Policy Expert focuses on customer retention as top priority
Policy Expert’s COO Adam Powell has stressed that customer retention is its top priority in 2023, as it continues to focus on its organic growth.
Burns & Wilcox looks towards M&As, recruitment and online SMEs to bolster growth
The managing general agent and underwriting business has plans to expand its team, and is open to mergers and acquisitions as a tool for growth during 2023.
Axa hails importance of face-to-face meetings as it seeks to be more visible
Distribution and trading director Sarah Mallaby claims Axa UK has seen an improvement in broker engagement, as it focuses on face-to-face trading complemented by an investment in digital products and support.
Profile: Abby Houghton – Young female broker
As part of Insurance Age's Broker Diversity Push - Gender Leadership Gap campaign, Sophie Locke-Cooper spoke with Brightside Insurance Services’ Abby Houghton about what it is like being a young female in the industry.
RSA’s Mooney stresses ‘we have got a lot of work to do’ for better service
RSA’s managing director of UK commercial, Lee Mooney, has vowed to institutionalise a consistent service that shows appetite, ongoing ambition to grow and desire to be there for customers as the insurer targets adding 200 broker relationships on top of…
Aviva’s Winslow insists ‘we can do more’ to return broker service to pre-2019 levels
With rates continuing to rise, Adam Winslow, CEO of Aviva UK & Ireland general insurance has stressed that it can do more when helping brokers through the challenging market.
Profile: Katie Baker - Women in C-suite
Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March, chief operating officer at My First, Katie Baker, shares her route to the top, and the importance of vocal role models.
MGAA edges closer to membership milestone
The Managing General Agents’ Association’s CEO Mike Keating has revealed that the trade body is close to surpassing 200 full members in the next couple of months.
Are brokers bucking the trend of insurtech investment struggles?
According to a new Gallagher Re report, global insurtech investment fell in the fourth quarter of 2022 to its lowest level since the third quarter of 2020. Sophie Locke-Cooper details why some may be struggling even if there are signs of hope among…