Articles by Emmanuel Kenning
Brown & Brown buys Kent-based Stewart & Partners
Brown & Brown has bought out Oxlea Investments, trading as Stewart & Partners, to become part of its South East retail hub Green Insurance Group.
Ardonagh in $2bn bond deal – Bloomberg
Ardonagh is launching a near-$2bn (£1.59bn) bond sale in a process led by Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, according to Bloomberg.
UK commercial pricing flat in Q4 – Marsh
UK commercial insurance pricing was flat in the final quarter of 2023 having posted its first fall in years in Q3, according to the latest research by Marsh.
Aviva leaders on simplification for brokers at heart of changes
Aviva’s 2023 actions will see it move up the gears with brokers this year, according to leaders Ryan Birbeck and Michael Yabantu.
Aon post 5% commercial organic growth for 2023
Aon has reported 5% organic growth in its commercial risk solutions business to $7.04bn (£5.52bn) in 2023 as profits across the global giant slipped year-on-year.
AM Best sees positive implications for Folgate rating after Hadron deal
AM Best is reviewing the ratings of Folgate Insurance after the takeover by Hadron, flagging Folgate is expected to be “strategically important” to the US hybrid carrier.
US insurer Hadron enters UK market with Folgate takeover
Hybrid carrier Hadron, which launched in 2023, has bought Folgate Insurance Company for an undisclosed sum.
Clear buys HNW broker Porticus
Clear Group has bought London-based high-net-worth specialist broker Porticus Insurance Consultants in its first deal of 2024.
South West tops survey for insurance account executive pay rises
The 2024 average salary for insurance account executives is up 7.5% in the South West, the highest rise in the UK closely followed by Wales and East Anglia, according to a survey by recruitment consultants Reed.
JMG Group’s Astute makes first buy with property specialist
Astute Insurance Solutions has bought property specialist Sandhouse Insurance in its first deal since becoming part of JMG Group in 2022.
Broker Diversity Push: Broking gender diversity in leadership stuck at 16%
The latest update to Insurance Age’s Broker Diversity Push benchmark has revealed women still only hold 16.61% of six key leadership roles in broking.
Aviva boosts group accident and travel products with wellbeing package
Aviva has added mental health support to its group personal accident and business travel products in a move it labelled “a first for the industry”.
Gracechurch awards regional claims Service Quality Marque to insurer trio
Independent insurance research consultancy Gracechurch has awarded its Service Quality Marque to Allianz, Chubb and Ecclesiastical for UK regional claims.
Ardonagh strikes deal to sell Robus to Strategic Risk Solutions
Ardonagh has agreed to sell captive and insurance management group Robus to insurance company manager Strategic Risk Solutions.
Interview: Kevin Morton, Zurich Private Clients
Kevin Morton, head of Zurich Private Clients, scrutinises the issues that affected the high net worth market in 2023 and shares what is coming next from the specialist provider in 2024.
Howden buys AHR Consultants
Howden has bought Rugby-based AHR Consultants, bolstering its risk management capabilities in the UK.
NBS launches excess of loss liability insurance
NBS Underwriting has launched excess of loss liability insurance in a move it flagged enables brokers to offer an additional £5m of public liability cover beyond primary level limits.
Howden claims “first of its kind” with carbon capture and storage insurance facility launch
Howden has launched a product that it claimed will “unlock vital investment to support the global transition to net zero”.
Fitch: Improving outlook for insurers but no room for complacency
The effect of “baked in” pricing improvements and easing economic headwinds gives an improving outlook for insurers this year, but will only make it less bad than 2023, according to Fitch.
Gallagher hails 8% Q4 organic growth in retail
Gallagher grew UK and Ireland retail business by 8% organically in the final quarter of 2023, while the specialty division achieved a 16% organic uplift, the broker has confirmed.
Revenue up 8% at Marsh in 2023
Marsh boosted annual revenue by 8% to $11.38bn (£8.94bn) in 2023, as profits at parent Marsh McLennan grew.
Nick Harris to leave Marsh
Nick Harris is no longer taking up the role as CEO of UK retail and will be leaving the broker.
Brown & Brown opens retail office in Newcastle
Brown & Brown has opened a retail insurance broking office in Newcastle, the first branded business in the sector under its new identity.
Interview: Carolyn Callan, Brown & Brown
Three months into the role at her “forever” home of Brown & Brown, Carolyn Callan explains her plans and priorities to Emmanuel Kenning.