Articles by Emmanuel Kenning
Ex-Criterion loss adjuster jailed for over four years for claims fraud
A loss adjuster who abused his position by submitting a series of fake insurance claims worth over £160,000, including using his wife’s name and that of his deceased father-in-law, has been jailed.
Allianz UK bolsters commercial digital trading team
Allianz UK has revealed a swathe of appointments and promotions in its commercial digital trading team with the investments including creating a dedicated expert digital distribution team for the first time.
Ageas and Saga seal £207m partnership and Acromas deals
Ageas and over-50s specialist Saga have signed on the dotted line agreeing a 20-year partnership for motor and home insurance and the sale of Saga’s underwriting business, Acromas.
i-Wonder and Compare The Market team up on bicycle insurance
i-Wonder has partnered with Compare the Market to launch the aggregator’s first bicycle insurance comparison service.
Sicsic FOI uncovers insurance firms’ £2.7m S166 bill
Insurers and insurance intermediaries paid a total of £2.7m for Financial Conduct Authority-commissioned skilled persons reviews in the financial year 2023/24, according to a Freedom of Information request by Sicsic Advisory.
FCA reveals review findings of first annual Consumer Duty board reports
The Financial Conduct Authority has set out five areas for improvements and five good aspects having reviewed the first annual Consumer Duty board reports from 180 firms.
FOS forecasts levy freeze at £70m
The Financial Ombudsman Service is planning to maintain its levy for 2025/26 at the £70m total set this financial year.
Drazen Jaksic named Zurich UK CEO as Bailey moves to global life role
Drazen Jaksic has been appointed Zurich UK CEO, moving across from being CEO of Zurich Benelux, as Tim Bailey switches to become CEO of the group’s new global life protection business.
FCA not seeking further headcount boost, says CEO Rathi
The Financial Conduct Authority is not “anticipating further significant growth” in headcount with the figure having risen from around 4,000 in 2020 to just over 5,000 today, CEO Nikhil Rathi has confirmed to the Treasury Committee.
Simply Business names Julie Fisher as permanent UK CEO
Simply Business has appointed Julie Fisher as UK CEO having held the role on an interim basis.
Biba unveils ‘A New Era’ as 2025 conference theme
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has revealed that ‘A New Era’ will be the theme for its 2025 conference to be held on 14 and 15 May in Manchester.
Aviva promotes Mark Skillern to head of broker strategic accounts
Aviva has promoted Mark Skillern to head of broker strategic accounts, Insurance Age can reveal, with the provider labelling his promotion as “the final piece in the strategic accounts senior leadership team”, which is led by broker distribution director…
No change to Premium Credit disclosure arrangements
Premium Credit is not asking distribution partners to make any changes to existing customer journeys after reviewing the implications of a legal ruling for commission disclosure in motor finance.
Blackrock to buy Ardonagh-backer HPS in $12bn deal
Global investment management company Blackrock has signed up to buy long-standing Ardonagh backer HPS Investment Partners in a $12bn (£9.43bn) deal.
Interview: Nikki Lidster, Zurich
Nikki Lidster sets out her promises to brokers having taken up the post of head of SME and trading at Zurich earlier this year.
Pen signs up to Flood Re’s Build Back Better
Pen Undewriting has signed up to Flood Re’s Build Back Better with all eligible new and renewing home policies automatically including the benefits of the scheme from 1 January 2025.
Zurich’s Nikki Lidster on SME growth, mid-market blending and technology tie-ups
Zurich has achieved 30% SME growth in new business this year, with similar targets for 2025, UK head of SME and trading Nikki Lidster has revealed.
AbbeyAutoline buys Coleraine-based Wallace Insurance Brokers
AbbeyAutoline has bought the customer book of business of fellow Northern Ireland firm Wallace Insurance Brokers in its third deal of the year.
Brown & Brown adds to PCG buying employee benefits specialists Drewberry
Brown & Brown Europe has bought Drewberry adding another employee benefits specialist to Premier Choice Group.
Gallagher promotes three to RMD as Patterson takes North West chair role
Gallagher has promoted James Fletcher, Mark Kerry and James Murray to regional managing director roles, all reporting to Peter Matthews, managing director of the North for Gallagher’s UK and Ireland Retail division.
Ageas promotes Beckett to MD of broker and partnerships
Ageas UK has appointed chief distribution officer Adam Beckett to the newly created role of managing director of broker and partnerships.
Ecclesiastical partners with Clear on local councils scheme
Ecclesiastical has teamed up with Clear Councils, part of Clear Group, adding the broker’s local councils insurance to its schemes book in an arrangement that will come in to force at the start of 2025.
Industry reacts to discount rate change
Insurance industry specialists have welcomed the government moving the personal injury discount rate to 0.5% with PwC calculating it will lower motor premiums by £50 on average.
Personal injury discount rate shift will cut motor premiums, says PWC
The government will move the discount rate applicable to personal injury lump sum compensation payments to 0.5% as of 11 January 2025.