Articles by Martin Friel
Video: What the Papers Say latest edition
This month Martin Friel, editor of Insurance Age, and Emmanuel Kenning Features editor, are joined by Aviva's senior media relations manager, Erik Nelson.
Where now for Groupama et al?
So we’ve got three insurers up for sale, namely RBSI, Brit and now Groupama. Consolidation in the insurer space has been predicted for some time now but I don’t think people expected it to happen like this – more deals done behind closed doors than…
Treasury aims to tackle aloof nature and expense of regulator
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is too expensive, aloof and bureaucratic and does not protect consumers from regulatory failure.
Groupama in the UK up for sale
Groupama is to sell its UK operation as the French insurer scrabbles to raise funds to shore up its EU debt position.
NIG wins events underwriting contract from Axa
NIG has won the contract to underwrite the core business of Event Insurance Services (EIS) from incumbent provider, Axa.
Biba commits to regulatory focus for 2012
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has revealed that its main focus for 2012 will be achieving appropriate, proportionate and cost effective regulation for its members.
Industry laments lack of referral fee bite in TSC report
The Transport Select Committee’s follow up report into the cost of motor insurance has been widely welcomed by the insurance industry but there is frustration that proposed measures to tackle referral fees do not go far enough.
Select Committee report focuses on whiplash claims and referral fees
The Transport Select Committee has called for the bar to receiving compensation for whiplash to be raised and for the receipt of referral fees to be banned across the board.
Sean Quinn could face 12 year business ban in Republic
Sean Quinn’s bankruptcy declaration has been rejected by the High Court in Belfast following a challenge by the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC), formerly Anglo Irish Bank.
New chief for Lifestyle Services Group
Lifestyle Services Group has appointed former Combined Insurance chief, Chris Harrison, as its new CEO.
Markel International makes brace of underwriting hires
Markel International has made two new underwriting appointments to its MGA division.
Towergate suffers two more senior resignations
Two senior managers at Towergate have handed in their resignations in as many weeks as the change of culture under new CEO Mark Hodges takes effect.
Covéa exerts control over UK arm with merger and rebrand
French-owned insurer MMA is to be rebranded as Covéa as part of a merger with Provident Insurance.
FSA goes for former Zurich chief as new FSCS chairman
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has appointed a new chairman of the board of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Taxman punishes SMEs while indulging big business
The Forum of Private Business has accused HMRC of indulging in the “harassment and mistreatment” of small business while arranging “sweetheart deals” with large companies.
Cameron's attack on H&S culture challenged by legal sector
David Cameron has vowed to “wage war” against the health and safety culture in Britain.
Axa loses London sales chief
Axa Commercial Lines' head of sales for London, Jamie Lewis, has resigned from the company, although a spokeswoman for the insurer would not confirm when he had done so.
Household rates will continue to rise says PwC
Accounting firm PwC has warned that the recent winter storms could push household premiums up this year.
Biba offers sanction checking facility to members
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has launched a sanctions checking facility to help members comply with their obligations under the Terrorism Act and the Financial Services Authority’s (FSA) financial crime requirements.
New power and utilities underwriting vehicle launched
Ascot Underwriting has formed a technical underwriting vehicle for the power and utilities industry.
Equity dodges £1m fine as it receives censure from Lloyd's
Equity Syndicate Management, the managing agent of Syndicate 218, has been censured by the Lloyd’s Enforcement Board regarding deficiencies in its reserving that saw the Lloyd’s player require a £311m injection from parent company Insurance Australia…
Homer: Biba should represent all forms of intermediation
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) should be the trade body for all forms of intermediation and not limit itself to brokers according to its new chairman, Andy Homer.
R&Q takes on latest run-off business, adding to HNW portfolio
Randall and Quilter Investment Holdings (R&Q) has bought the yacht and marine trade book from Talbot Underwriting subsidiary Underwriting Risk Services.
JLT snaps up Irish broker
Jardine Lloyd Thompson’s (JLT) Irish arm has acquired FBD Insurance Brokers, an insurance broker based in Ireland in a deal worth up to €8.5m (£7.1m).