Jonathan Swift
Content director, insurance, postonline.co.uk
Jonathan has written and commented about the insurance industry since 1998 as a reporter, news editor, editor and content director at Incisive Media.
He has appeared on television speaking about topics as diverse as the insurance implications of Michael Jackson's death to the consequences of consolidation on motor premiums; and is a past winner of the British Insurance Brokers' Association journalist of the year and Association of British Insurers general insurance trade journalist prizes.
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Articles by Jonathan Swift
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 –…
With Atlanta sold, what will Ardonagh do with the funds it pockets?
Jonathan Swift looks at Ardonagh’s recent growth, and suspects that a larger percentage of the £820m windfall from the Atlanta sale is going to be spent overseas rather than at home.
Markerstudy CEO Spencer targeting Admiral’s crown as UK’s top PL player after Atlanta deal
Markerstudy is only £301m of gross written premium away from potentially overtaking Admiral as the UK’s largest personal lines player after the £1.2bn Atlanta deal last week, according to its CEO Kevin Spencer.
Markerstudy to merge with Atlanta Group in £1.2bn deal
Markerstudy has today confirmed plans to merge with Ardonagh’s personal lines broking business Atlanta Group, in a deal that creates a business that transacts £3bn of GWP annually and employs 7300 people.
Meet the MGA: Incorporated Insurance Group Limited [IIGL]
Underwriting director Dean Surridge and operations director Lyndsey Thompson explain how they have stayed true to their specialism, which is construction, to build and grow the now 10-year-old MGA IIGL.
Editor’s letter: CEO Storah continues Aviva’s ‘entente cordiale’ with Canada
When Aviva needs a new UK and Ireland boss, Canada has become something of a go-to market.
Long time coming: Why the RSA deal for NIG is ‘win-win’ for Intact, DLG and brokers
‘Not In Group’ has been seen as an accurate reading of the acronym NIG for a while now. Jonathan Swift looks at why the long-mooted acquisition target might finally become the ‘Nicely Integrated Gang’ within its new home RSA.
RSA swoops for NIG and FarmWeb in £520m deal
Intact Financial Corporation and its subsidiary RSA have reached an agreement with Direct Line Insurance Group to acquire its brokered commercial lines operations, including NIG and FarmWeb.
Mulsanne blames poor performing schemes and inflation for latest solvency issues
Mulsanne Insurance Company has admitted speaking to its regulator the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission about solvency capital requirement issues for the second time in four years, Insurance Age can reveal.
Canadian brokers praise ‘fantastic leader’ Storah ahead of move to become Aviva UK CEO
UK and Irish insurance brokers can expect their new local Aviva CEO to be an ‘enabler’ who ’understands the importance of strong broker relationships,’ according to their counterparts in Canada.
Aviva Canada CEO Jason Storah to replace Winslow as UK and Ireland boss
Aviva has appointed Jason Storah as CEO of UK & Ireland General Insurance.
Markerstudy 'temporarily' suspends product lines as part of Tradex transfer
Markerstudy has reiterated its “commitment to intermediaries is as strong as ever” amid speculation that it is pulling products from the broker market.
Markerstudy investor Pollen Street gets PRA approval for Tradex deal
Markerstudy’s owner Pollen Street Capital has completed the delayed purchase of motor trade and taxi specialist insurer Tradex after getting the greenlight from the Prudential Regulation Authority, Insurance Age can reveal.
Unpicking the legacy of Michael Bright and Indy on the UK broking sector
Following the passing of former Independent Insurance CEO Michael Bright earlier this week, content director Jonathan Swift reflects on his legacy on the broking market.
What next for Mark Wilson after Abacai exit?
Despite his departure from insurtech Abacai, Mark Wilson has talked previously about the need to disrupt the insurance status quo going back to his days as group CEO of Aviva. Based on the assumption this exit is just a blip in that mission, Jonathan…
Dayinsure’s Barry Bown made Abacai group CEO after Wilson exit and job cuts
Barry Bown, boss of Abacai Technologies owned-Dayinsure, was promoted to group CEO after the departure of his predecessor Mark Wilson, Insurance Age can reveal.
Abacai CEO Mark Wilson resigns as director as DLG/M&A speculation ramps up
A trio of co-founders at private equity-backed insurtech Abacai Technologies, including former Aviva Group CEO Mark Wilson, have resigned as directors, Insurance Age can reveal.