Articles by Martin Friel
CBI cuts growth forecasts
The Chartered Business Institute (CBI) has cut its growth forecast for the UK but called on the chancellor to stick to ‘Plan A’.
Admiral issues profit warning over PI claims
Admiral warned that personal injury claims continue to impact the business’ profits as it announced its third quarter results.
Groupama mulling over sale of assets or stake
French mutual insurer Groupama is reportedly considering the sale of a stake in the company to outside investors or selling some assets as it bids to strengthen its capital and restore its solvency margin.
Sterling secures partial Chartered status
Sterling Insurance Group’s personal lines, commercial underwriting and claims divisions have received Chartered Insurer status from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).
Premiums rise at Hiscox UK but dip in London market
Hiscox UK has increased gross written premiums (GWP) by 13.4% but witnessed a decline of over £20m in its London market business for the first nine months of the year.
Towergate Financial chief executive steps down
Ian Darby has stepped down as chief executive of Towergate Financial and will be replaced by current chief operating officer Dan Saulter.
Insurance Age blog: fighting the threat of regulation
Well we've chalked off yet another Broker Expo and again it attracted a record number of brokers - over 750 made the journey to Coventry this year.
Aviva Ireland faces strike threat over redundancies
Union members at Aviva Ireland have voted to take industrial action if the 950 jobs being axed are threatened before agreement is reached with staff.
Groupama restructures Manchester operations
Groupama has made a series of changes to its Manchester operation as it bids to grow its online business and commercial book.
‘Strategic’ decision delays aggregator offering
The launch of a new aggregator due to hit the market early in 2012 has been delayed as part of a ‘strategic decision’.
Broker Expo: Ecclesiastical restructure sees redundancies in schemes unit
Two of Ecclesiastical’s senior schemes individuals will leave the business following a restructure of the insurer’s schemes operations.
Towergate snaps up niche comparison site
Towergate Insurance has acquired caravanquoter.co.uk, a caravan and motorhome insurance comparison site.
Video: Biba and IIB chiefs explain why they merged
In an exclusive interview with Insurance Age, Biba chief exectuive Eric Galbraith and IIB chief executive Barbara Bradshaw explain why the trade bodies have merged and what the priorities are for the new organisation.
Esure launches two new broker brands
Esure has launched two new broker brands as it bids to broaden its risk appetite in the motor market.
More change in HNW sector as RK Harrison acquires fellow broker
RK Harrison Group has had a bid to buy high net worth specialist Mercury West Associates (MWA) accepted.
FSA scrutinises banks' bundling of insurance products
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has made a host of proposals to change the way that insurance is sold when bundled into bank accounts.
Ecclesiastical aims for growth in Ireland with new MD
Ecclesiastical has appointed a new managing director for its Ireland business.
Aim restructures following difficult year
Aim Legal Expenses has undergone a restructure following a “period of uncertainty”.
Sterling loses out to newcomer for Biba scheme
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has chosen newcomer Aqua Underwriting over holding insurer Sterling to run the association’s high net worth (HNW) scheme.
Aviva pushes ahead with UK and Ireland changes
Aviva has appointed a transformation director tasked with integrating the insurer's UK and Ireland operations following recent structural changes and proposed redundancies in the Irish business.
Chubb makes senior UK and Ireland appointment
Chubb Insurance has appointed a new sales and marketing director for the UK and Ireland.
Three top insurers suffer from Irish downgrade
Aviva, RSA and Allianz have all been restricted from providing cover for Irish state companies due to the country’s demotion by credit rating agencies.
Zurich creates new underwriting role for SME
Zurich’s UK General Insurance business has appointed Russell Corbould-Warren to the newly created role of head of SME underwriting.
QBE sets up new environmental liability team
QBE has created a new team to launch an environmental impairment liability (EIL) product.