Articles by Martin Friel
Clear makes 11th acquisition to secure access to specialist markets
Howard Lickens describes the purchase as a "great opportunity to expand into a new area"
Arista makes underwriting appointment for South East
CEO Charles Earle promotes Anothony Foulds to take responsibility for property, liability and motor business in South East
CBG offloads "certain elements" of personal lines business
Swinton snaps up £370K chunk of personal lines business which chief executive Peter Haplin described as "just the type of business we are looking to acquire"
What the Papers Say
Stories being analysed this month include: Axa's move into direct motor; use of social media in the insurance industry; Conservative plans for insurance; and the art of stonewalling the media.
Hector Sants resignation could leave regulator hamstrung
Hector Sants resignation risks the regulator looking like a lame duck as political parties squabble over regulation, according to a City law firm.
Aon set to lose property team to rival broker
Market speculation suggests property team, including Keith Burnham, will join Bluefin to form new division
Paul Brierley leaves Our Network
Network managing director leaves the organisation following establishment of joint venture with IIB
Keychoice Underwriting takes first steps towards market launch
Keychoice Underwriting has unveiled its senior management team in the run up to its official launch later this year
Restructure of Towergate e-division management following sudden death of MD
Towergate Risk Solutions has announced wholesale changes to its e-division and sales and service management team following the untimely death of former managing director for Towergate e-division, Matthew Bright
More management shifts at Towergate Underwriting
Towergate Underwriting has promoted Fusion managing director, Scott Brown, to the position of chief executive officer for Commercial Underwriting
UK businesses not taking necessary steps to emerge from recession
Banks and businesses risk deepening and prolonging the economic downturn by sleepwalking towards this year's general election, according to the British arm of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA)
Arista moves into profit
Commercial lines underwriter Arista has finally moved into profit after completing a three-year start-up phase. It is on target to achieve a consistent trading profit from the first quarter onwards.
FSA letter in the post for broking CEOs warning them of obligations over clients' money
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has sent a letter and report to the chief executive officers (CEOs) of major insurance brokers drawing attention to the regulator's concerns over the handling of clients' money and assets.
FSA bans three insurance brokers
"They showed themselves to be neither fit nor proper" - Margaret Cole
Zurich to force through further rate increases
Private motor to see 20% increases on rate
Cobra Network adds latest member
Surrey based Riverbourne Group become 159th member
IIB attacks FSA levy proposals
Barbara Bradshaw claims proposed fee is disproportionate
Cooper Gay makes senior appointment
Sam Hovey takes over as chief financial officer
What the papers say
In this edition, Insurance Age editor Martin Friel is joined by head of communications at Towergate, Marc DonFrancesco and Andrew Tjaardstra, editor of Professional Broking to pick over the trade press.
CII bestows chartered status on national broker
Lockton succeeds in securing status
CCV continues acquisition push
Deal marks CCV's 11th acquisition of 2009
QBE puts personal lines motor book into runoff
Condemned slice of business accounts for 10% of overall motor book
Brit adds Dutch non-exec
Willem Stevens joins board of Dutch-domiciled insurer
AA sees road claims double
Snow storms lead to spike in claims