Articles by Jonathan Swift
US fronter Hadron set to onboard first UK MGA in Q2
Altamont-backed hybrid insurer Hadron is aiming to change the reputation of fronters to businesses that priortise sensible and measured underwriting rather than just scale.
MGA Blagrove resumes trading after securing Accredited capacity
Blagrove Underwriting Agency and two MGAs it supports with capacity have today resumed offering quotations and renewing polices, Insurance Age can reveal.
Three MGAs put motor business on pause as capacity crunch continues to bite
Blagrove Underwriting Agency and two MGAs it supports with capacity have informed brokers that they will not be able to offer quotations or renew policies for 1 April, Insurance Age can reveal.
Meet the MGA: Ventis
With a ‘breath of fresh air’ Latin-inspired name, CEO Gareth Roberts, pictured second right, explains why Ventis’ USPs of rapid service and sector expertise are helping it gain traction in the real estate market.
Meet the MGA: Generis
A focus on expertise, human touch and a future-proofed portfolio have been key to the first five years of success at Generis. Managing director Andy Francis explains the importance of a hard-won reputation and making sure staff come to work with smiles…
Analysis: What can brokers expect from RSA’s new-look commercial senior team?
With a new-look senior commercial lines team in place, brokers must hope RSA is done with chopping and changing at the top. Jonathan Swift assesses what the future might hold now dates have been set for the NIG integration.
Zurich SME head Edwards: Speed and service key to maintaining double-digit growth
Zurich is seeking to improve its referral process and continue to invest in underwriters as part of its drive for double-digit new business growth across the SME space.
Markerstudy weighing up Northern Ireland options as it exits short-term market
Markerstudy has confirmed to Insurance Age that it plans to withdraw from the short-term motor insurance market.
Axa pulls the plug on motorbike business
Axa will stop underwriting motorbike insurance from March, Insurance Age can reveal.
Meet the MGA: Corin Underwriting
Andy Hurrell, the managing director and head of underwriting at Corin, outlines his plans for a business that has made Lloyd’s-on-Sea its home with a strategy that aims to embrace everything good about being a virtual insurer and a recognised MGA.
Abacai to pull out of broker business with CCG book transfer
Abacai is to pull out of brokered business in 2024 transferring the panel book of subsidiary Complete Cover Group to UDrive, Insurance Age can reveal.
RSA sells home and pet books to Admiral and confirms UK PL withdrawal
Intact Financial Corporation has reached an agreement to sell RSA’s UK direct personal lines operations, representing approximately £165m of annual premiums, to Admiral Group.
Brown & Brown fills out retail exec with promotions
Brown & Brown Europe has bolstered its retail executive team under CEO Duncan Carter with a raft of promotions, Insurance Age can reveal.
AssuredPartners seals biggest deal yet with Romero buy
AssuredPartners has bought Leeds-based Romero Group, which includes Romero Insurance Brokers, Sentient Group and Club Insure.
MCE has £9.1m surplus to pay creditors, according to former CEO
One of the two shareholders and former CEO of failed specialist motorcycle broker MCE, Julian Edwards, has informed the administrators that he understands there to be a surplus of £9.1m that could be used to pay creditors.
Primary sells Policy Expert to Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority has acquired a majority stake in insurtech Policy Expert from Primary Group, Insurance Age can reveal.
Ex-Hastings boss Utley on Percayso investment and the state of UK motor market
Neil Utley’s investment in data intelligence provider Percayso Inform was spurred on by an understanding that the insurtech would have made his job a lot easier had it existed when he was chair of Hastings Direct.
Broker Expo 2023: Brokers need not fear getting ‘rinsed’ exploring AI adoption
Brokers need not go for a ‘big bang’ transformation programme when it comes to introducing artificial intelligence into their business; but gain confidence incrementally by experimenting and trying things.
Video Q&A: Rob Carslake, head of event insurance, Hiscox UK
As events rebound in number and scale post-Covid Rob Carslake, head of event insurance, Hiscox UK, caught up with Insurance Age content director Jonathan Swift to discuss the opportunities for brokers.
Interview: CEO Phil Barton on why Partners& is an “antidote to the worst practices in the market”
Having posited the notion that it was an ‘anti-consolidator’ on launch in 2020, Partners& CEO Phil Barton puts forward the case to Jonathan Swift that it has lived up to its lofty ambition.
Top 100 UK Insurance Brokers 2023: Introduction
Welcome to the Top 100 UK Insurance Brokers, which Insurance Age has put together for a second year running with the help of Insuramore.
Editor's letter: Howden has a plan, but that does not involve ‘A-Plan’
Another long-standing insurance brand has disappeared from the high street.
Meet the MGA: Jensten Underwriting
Just over one year into its existence, Simon Taylor, wholesale managing director, explains why working under one brand, and pulling together in one direction, is so important to getting the best out of Jensten Underwriting.
Passing the £1,000,000 milestone
It is a cliché, but there is a saying that the first million is the hardest. With this in mind, Jonathan Swift canvassed opinions from broker founders to find out their experiences of passing this number in gross written premium or – in some cases –…