Articles by Martin Friel
Central boosts Aberdeen presence with strategic acquisition
Central Insurance has acquired long-established Aberdeen firm Collins Halden & Burnett in a £2.6m deal.
Holman's in IFA disposal
Foster Denovo has agreed a deal to acquire the IFA business of independent Lloyd's brokerage firm John Holman & Sons.
No market wide increase in rates as hardening remains elusive
Despite record level first-quarter catastrophe losses, insurance rate increases were confined to loss-affected exposures, according to research published by Marsh.
MCE signs up latest white labelling client
Motorcycle insurance specialist MCE has announced the completion of its latest white labelling deal.
Aspen confirms appointment of former RSA Scotland chief
Aspen Insurance has confirmed Annie Watson will take on the role of general manager Scotland, at Aspen Risk Management.
Insurance Age blog: Referral fees and the ABI
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) hasn’t been shy in demanding an end to the use of referral fees. It seems that every chance that presents itself, from the news that Jackson’s reforms would be implemented in full to any news regarding the cost…
Invicta announces latest acquisitions
Invicta Insurance Services is set to complete it latest acquisitions which will add 2,500 customers and over £1m GWP to its portfolio.
Distribution director out at Axa
Axa Commercial Lines has confirmed the expected departure of distribution director Keith Hector.
Hastings hires ahead of planned flotation
Hastings Direct has appointed a new MD of insurer services ahead of its planned IPO next year.
Regulatory burden on brokers is heavier than tax
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has warned that the regulatory burden imposed by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) on the insurance broking sector is a greater competitive disadvantage than the amount of corporation tax it pays.
Giles to sell off life sciences business
Giles Insurance Brokers is to sell its life sciences business as it looks to focus on its more traditional lines of business.
Plum hires in bid to fuel further growth
Plum Underwriting has hired two new underwriters to handle its rapid growth in the non-standard household market.
New player enters high end liability market
Lloyd’s broker Kite Warren & Wilson (KWW) is targeting the high end SME asset manager and Lloyd’s managing agents market with a suite of new liability products.
Markel goes direct but promises brokers e-trade option
Markel UK, the retail division of Markel International, has launched a direct commercial offering.
Keelan Westall makes new regional appointments
Keelan Westall has appointed two new business development managers to cover the South East and Midlands regions.
Former CBG MD joins rival Manchester broker
Manchester insurance broker Caunce O’Hara has announced the appointment of former CBG director Stephen Darcy as MD.
What the Papers Say
Welcome to the latest edition of What the Papers Say. This month, Insurance Age editor Martin Friel is joined by senior reporter, Liz McMahon and Richard Adams, associate director at FWD.
New Aberdeen office for Willis
Willis has opened a new office in Aberdeen to develop business in the city and complement Willis’ existing presence in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.
"Give me six months" Blanc asks brokers
Axa Commercial boss, Amanda Blanc, has asked brokers to give her six months to prove that she will genuinely empower her local underwriters to make decisions.
Groupama moves to capitalise upon bike opportunities
Groupama Insurances has adapted its motorbike cover in a bid to grow its account in this area.
Heath Lambert loses Aberdeen team to Towergate
Towergate Insurance Aberdeen has recruited Mark Webster and his team from Heath Lambert.
Select & Protect enhances product and trading platform
Select & Protect has announced the addition of Groupama to its underwriting panel as part of a re-launch of one of its home insurance products.
Liberty Mutual's regional presence expands further
Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe is to expand its commercial mid market offering with new offices in Birmingham and London.
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