Articles by Martin Friel
Aviva humiliated by shareholder pay revolt
Aviva’s shareholders have humiliated the insurer by voting against its remuneration package at the annual general meeting in London.
Former Bluefin and Davis directors set up new brokerage
Former Davis Group CEO, Leigh Smart, has established a new brokerage based in Newmarket and London.
RBS pumps another £125m into PPI compensation fund
RBS is set to follow Lloyds Bank’s example and put more money into its payment protection insurance (PPI) compensation fund, according to reports.
Tysers bolsters professional indemnity team with Gallagher hires
Lloyd's broker Tysers has made two additions to the professional indemnity team in its UK corporate division.
Chartis makes senior energy appointment
Chartis has looked within for its new UK head of energy.
New network system to "revolutionise" SME trading
The managing director of 1 Answer Network has claimed a new system that has been implemented will revolutionise the way SME business is traded.
Lorica achieves chartered status
Lorica Insurance Brokers has become the latest broker to achieve chartered status.
Bartleet takes first step in growth strategy
Bartleet Enterprises has acquired Chesham Insurance Services.
RBS approached by private equity firm over Direct Line sale
Direct Line's parent company Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has received an informal expression of interest from a new private equity firm, according to the FT.
County subsidiary completes first acquisition
County Insurance North West (NW), part of the County Group, has completed its first acquisition in the shape of Whitchurch Insurance Services.
Deadline for Cobra bids extended
The deadline for potential bidders for the Cobra Group has been extended until the end of May.
Editor’s letter - May 2012
“The real concern for brokers is that all this change creates a deep sense of uncertainty”
Personal injury exposures could lead to insurer downgrades
“This will have a tremendous financial impact – just how tremendous and when it will impact is uncertain” David Williams, Axa
Market moves: The moves merry-go-round
The insurance recruitment gene pool has long required dilution but it still seems to be the same names popping up going to new jobs at new companies. Which wouldn’t be so bad if so many of them didn’t end up going back to the company they originally left…
RSA’s agency cull sparks broker unease
Insurer’s new broker strategy could see further reduction in agencies
LV hires claims director from American Express Insurance
LV has appointed Chris Rolland as claims director responsible for overseeing all aspects of claims within LV's general insurance business.
QBE's acquisition strategy contributes to Moody's downgrade
QBE's "aggressive pace of acquisitions" has led Moody's to downgrade the outlook of the insurer's senior debt ratings from 'stable' to 'negative'.
Liberty sets up Leeds operation
Liberty Mutual Insurance has made four new appointments as it opens a new office in Leeds.
Aviva's Moss waives payrise as shareholders kick back over executive pay
Aviva has agreed to review its remuneration policy as the insurer attempts to avoid a shareholder revolt over executive pay.
Willis has good Q1 but UK performance drags
Willis has had a good start to 2012 delivering $225m (£139m) in net income for the first quarter compared to $35m in the same period last year.
Zurich axes nearly 350 jobs as it outsources personal lines operation to brokers
Zurich is to shed nearly 350 jobs as part of a personal lines shake-up that will see it outsource its personal lines operations to a series of brokers.
Rate of business insolvencies steadies despite double dip recession
New data shows that the rate of business insolvencies has steadied despite the UK economy’s dip into a second recession.
1 Answer Network to tackle commercial lines with Powerplace hire
Personal lines network 1 Answer has moved to further bolster its fledgling commercial lines offering with a new appointment.
MMA sees huge growth in regional bespoke products
MMA Insurance is reporting that it has seen a 40% increase this year in total regional growth for bespoke commercial business.