Articles by Jonathan Swift
Bottle to lead Arch in the UK following Bashford retirement
Arch Insurance International has promoted Mike Bottle to the role of managing director of the Arch Insurance UK regional division, with immediate effect.
Hiscox HNW head Holmes exiting for new broker role
Nicola Holmes, the head of broker in Hiscox’s art and private clients division, is to depart the business to pursue a new opportunity at an as yet unnamed intermediary, Insurance Age can reveal.
Analysis: Fortune favours the bold – Is 2025 a ‘golden opportunity’ to join the M&A bandwagon?
With deals at an all-time high – but shrinking in size – and with the established consolidators becoming more picky, could 2025 be the perfect time for smaller brokers to start buying? Jonathan Swift mulls the hypothesis.
MarshBerry: Labour CGT change sees 2024 hit deal record after 41 buys in Q4
The final three months of 2024 saw the second highest number of quarterly broker deals, according to the latest M&A market update from MarshBerry.
Brown & Brown Europe reveals final deal of 2024 with Hampshire broker buy
Brown & Brown Europe rounded off 2024 with a swoop for Hampshire-headquartered Addingstone Insurance Solutions, Insurance Age can reveal.
Analysis: As we enter 2025 let’s ask one big question: ‘What will Marsh do next?’
Gallagher, Aon, Ardonagh and Howden have all had a busy 12 months in terms of consolidating their positions within the UK’s top five insurance brokers table. Their fellow intermediary powerhouse Marsh, however, has been comparatively quiet. Jonathan…
Ex-Das UK boss Coram departs for UK insurer CEO role
The ex-boss of Das UK, Tony Coram, has returned to former parent company Munich Re as CEO of its primary insurance business, Great Lakes (UK).
CEO Ross hails “new phase” as Ardonagh valued at £11bn after Stone Point investment
Ardonagh has announced an equity investment from funds managed by US-based private equity firm Stone Point Capital LLC, the alternative investment management specialist, that values the broking group at $14bn (£11.04bn).
Gallagher to cement UK broking top spot with £10.5bn AssuredPartners swoop
Broking giant Arthur J. Gallagher has signed a definitive agreement to acquire US rival AssuredPartners, it announced this morning.
Former Eleven Network MD Derbyshire joins Cowens Group in strategic role
Cowens Group has appointed former Eleven Network managing director Dawn Derbyshire as consultant strategic director of its general insurance division.
Coles leads MBO of Ardonagh retail MGA Uris Group
Uris Group, the Ardonagh-owned specialist personal lines MGA and services provider, has been sold to a new vehicle backed by its leader Derek Coles, Insurance Age can reveal.
Analysis: Aviva’s bid for DLG – what are the pros and cons for UK insurance brokers
The industry was abuzz last week with the ramifications of Aviva’s £3.3bn bid for Direct Line Group. Jonathan Swift reflects on the weekend’s developments, and what the deal might mean for UK brokers should the possibility of a green light gain momentum…
Sompo priortising regional hires and MGAs over expanding broker panel
Sompo remains “open minded” to further UK regional expansion, but is happy to build on its existing locations in Birmingham and Manchester for now.
Partners& in triple swoop
Partners& has added another two brokers and a managing general agent to its stable, Insurance Age can reveal.
Policy Expert strikes £1bn co-insurance deal with Bridgehaven and Accredited
Personal lines specialist Policy Expert has added a second capacity provider in Bridgehaven as part of a new co-insurance arrangement with existing backer Accredited.
DLG rejects £3.3bn Aviva takeover offer
Aviva has revealed it has become the second insurer to publicly bid for Direct Line Group this year, with an offer worth £3.3bn.
Meet the MGA: Kayzen Specialty
Kayzen Specialty founder and CEO Charles Boorman explains to Jonathan Swift his plans for the MGA to be a go-to market for financial lines through continuous improvement across its three pillars of broker-centric, underwriter-fronted and tech-focused.
Konsileo seals £8m fundraise
Top 100 insurance broker Konsileo has completed an £8m fundraise to accelerate its expansion across the UK, Insurance Age can reveal.
News analysis: If PIB has reached an end game with Carlyle and Apax, what next?
As speculation mounts that PIB’s backers Carlyle and Apax want to cash in on their investments, content director Jonathan Swift explores how the broker’s strategy of overseas hubs and specialisms might dictate its value to new investors.
Clear seals largest deal with £76.2m “transformational” swoop for Lloyd’s broker
Clear Group has entered the wholesale Lloyd’s broker space with what it has described as the “transformational deal” for Lilley Plummer Risks - a marine and property specialist.
Top 100 UK Insurance Brokers 2024: Introduction
Welcome to the Top 100 UK Insurance Brokers for 2024, which Insurance Age has put together again with the help of Insuramore.
Taylor’s broker remit expanded at Aviva as Birbeck shifts to claims
Aviva’s strategic accounts director Michelle Taylor has been handed a wider broker-facing remit within the insurer, Insurance Age can reveal.
Partners& CEO Barton: Mooted Labour tax plan offers “incredible opportunities” for M&A
Speculation that the new Labour Government might increase capital gains tax has created a fertile window for acquisitive insurance brokers.
Aviva UK&I GI boss Storah “bullish” commercial rates to hold steady throughout 2024
Aviva UK and Ireland general insurance CEO Jason Storah is confident that most of the wider commercial sector will continue to hold its nerve over rate and not chase short-term market gains – for now, at least.