Articles by Emmanuel Kenning
FCA to consult on removing minimum training and development hours in insurance
The Financial Conduct Authority will open a consultation this summer including on the definition of SME used in the insurance market as part of its ongoing review of Consumer Duty rules.
FCA launches five-year strategy promising smarter, more efficient and effective regulation
The Financial Conduct Authority has launched its five-year strategy revealing the four priorities for 2025 to 2030.
Patston named Touchstone MD as Roe retires
Mike Patston has been promoted to managing director of Touchstone Underwriting following the retirement of Alan Roe.
H.W. Wood rebrands to HWS Specialty after sale to Steadfast
London-headquartered specialist wholesale broker H.W. Wood has rebranded to HWS Specialty after being snapped up by Steadfast Group.
Broker confidence in non-standard market waning, says Prestige
Managing general agents remain pivotal in non-standard but there are “mixed signals” in broker confidence, according to a survey by Prestige Underwriting.
Blog: Starting gun fired on JMG deal
The question isn’t so much who would want JMG – because frankly who wouldn’t – as what type of deal is coming? Emmanuel Kenning ponders the options.
Interview: Mike Bottle, managing director of the Arch Insurance UK regional division
After a decade of transformation, multi-award-winning Arch is very much open for business with brokers and ready for more profitable growth across its regional network, hub and digital offerings, boss Mike Bottle tells Insurance Age.
Ecclesiastical delivers major COR improvement with sub 80% in UK and Ireland
Ecclesiastical Insurance improved its combined operating significantly in the UK and Ireland last year as underwriting profits more than doubled.
Holt to succeed Haynes as director of underwriting at Arag
Nathan Holt will take over as director of underwriting at legal expenses insurer Arag when David Haynes becomes CEO at the start of April.
Gallagher promotes Smith to broking and placement MD
Gallagher has promoted Stephen Smith to managing director of broking and placement for its UK & Ireland retail division.
Alps boosts add-ons product suite
Managing general agent Alps has launched commercial excess protection.
Matcham retires as IUA CEO after 20 years with Jones stepping up
Chris Jones has been appointed as International Underwriting Association CEO succeeding Dave Matcham, who is retiring after 20 years in the role.
Howden buys Scottish broker
Howden Scotland has bought Edinburgh-based SKB Independent Insurance Brokers.
Lloyd’s CEO hails “outstanding financial performance” in 2024
Lloyd’s has confirmed gross written premium of £55.5bn in its 2024 results, up 6.5% from the year before.
Which? calls out ongoing “hefty” premium finance charges
Consumer champions Which? have branded premium finance rates currently being charged by many insurers as “difficult to justify”, especially with car insurance where it found a third of rates are above 25%.
Ageas CEO Middle on elevating onto the podium with broker growth
Ageas has its strongest pipeline of opportunities with brokers ever as it targets growing to be a podium player, CEO Ant Middle told Insurance Age.
Sabre CEO Carter on growing profitably with brokers
With over 70% of Sabre’s business going through brokers, CEO Geoff Carter has hailed the insurer’s performance and promised there is more to come.
Bspoke buys insurtech Arma Karma
Bspoke Group has bought Colchester-based monthly insurance subscription insurtech Arma Karma.
Sabre in first share buy-back as profits soar in 24
Sabre has posted a 5% rise in gross written premiums as profit after tax nearly doubled in 2024.
FOI reveals smaller broker involvement in FCA’s first Consumer Duty board reports review
The Financial Conduct Authority included 34 firms from the insurance sector in its review of the first annual Consumer Duty board reports, a Freedom of Information request from Insurance Age has revealed.
MGAA boss Keating weighs in as broker survey backs dedicated MGA regulation
A recent survey of insurance brokers has shown backing for the establishment of a dedicated regulatory framework for MGAs, with 68% agreeing that the Financial Conduct Authority should regulate MGAs separately from insurers and brokers.
Peach and Alan Boswell partner on complementary therapy scheme
Peach and Alan Boswell Group have struck their second partnership as the Top 100 Broker aims to grow its bespoke scheme for complementary therapists.
Interview: Phil Bayles, Ardonagh Advisory CCO
Phil Bayles tackles the plans for the rebrand of Ardonagh Advisory to Everywhen, shares insights on digital trading, the rise of AI and his expectations for rate movements in 2025.
Zurich fraud detection rises to £94m
Zurich UK uncovered £94.79m of fraudulent claims in 2024, around £260,000 per day.
