Articles by Martin Friel
Features list: Insurance Age 2010
For more information or opportunities to contribute please contact Martin Friel (020 7316 9732) or Louise Meeson (020 7316 9867). For advertising opportunities, please contact James Murray (020 7316 9296).
UK Broker Awards now open for entries
The 2010 UK Broker Awards are open for entries
Allianz sees profits slip 10 points in first quarter
Allianz Insurance's pre-tax profits have slumped more than 10% to £36.7m (£41.1m: 2009) for the first quarter of 2010, despite a near 5% increase in gross written premium (GWP) to £411.3m.
Brit Q1 results reveal drop in gross written premiums
Brit Insurance Holdings has reported a 13.3% drop in gross written premium (GWP) to £483.5m in the first quarter of 2010 (2009: £557.6m), a decrease of 9.9%
Xbridge appoints former matchmaker chief as new CEO
Technology firm Xbridge has appointed Jason Stockwood, former head of Match.com and Travelocity, as its new CEO.
CCV makes third acquistion of the year
Cullum Capital Ventures (CCV) has acquired the general insurance portfolio of DTE Risk & Financial Management.
900 staff to go at Quinn
Quinn Insurance's administrators are to begin a consultation process on the proposed redundancy programme which will affect approximately 900 members of staff
New Lloyd's underwriting agency launched
A new Lloyd’s underwriting vehicle, backed by Hiscox, has begun trading in the automobile and mobile equipment industries.
New additions take Willis networks' membership past the 100 mark
Willis Networks has signed six new members bringing the networks' combined membership to 106 firms
Quinn Insurance enters administration
The High Court has this morning appointed provisional administrators to Quinn Insurance, owner of Quinn Direct and Quinn Healthcare, on an application by the Financial Regulator
Interim FSCS levy scrapped but £61m PPI burden on brokers remains
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has set the 2010/11 general levy at £148m.
Founding member of SmithGreenfield and marketing director to leave the company
Joint-founder Giles Greenfield is to leave high net worth brokerage SmithGreenfield at the end of the month.
Doodson Group goes global with US merger
Doodson Broking Group UK, and Crossfields Insurance Brokerage, based in the US, have merged to create a global firm in the live music and entertainment sector.
Towergate makes further changes to management structure
Internal promotions see appointment of new managing director and chief information officer
What the Papers Say - latest edition
Stories analysed this month include: FSA levies and fees; delay in Tory regulatory plans; declining claims service; and the Government's abortive dog insurance plan which has recently been shelved.
Liberty establishes permanent Birmingham presence in further regional push
Liberty International Underwriters Europe (LIU Europe) is expanding its regional operations into Birmingham with the appointment of Dave Canning as regional senior underwriter
Fortis profits plunge with name change on the horizon
Fortis UK has reported a huge £47m drop in profit before tax to £29m as it announced it is to rebrand as 'ageas'
FSA to consult further on PPI following "highly critical" industry response
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is to embark on further consultation for its plans to reform the Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) market.
Government to introduce compulsory insurance for dog owners
All dog owners in England and Wales would have to insure against their pet attacking someone, under a consultation on amending the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act
UK General to withdraw underwriting function from regional network to Leeds office
UK General is to pull back its underwriting capabilities from its regional network and concentrate expertise in its Leeds headquarters in a move which is expected to result in job losses
Aviva UK's general insurance profits and GWP fell in 2009
Aviva UK's general insurance operating result fell to £520m (2008: £642m) in 2009. Its combined operating ratio remained static at 99%
Towergate to consolidate BNIB business in the North West
Move will see the closure of four offices and the establishment of one central office on the outskirts of Manchester