Articles by Sophie Locke-Cooper
JMG eyeing up more deals after flurry of Scottish buys
Both JMG and recent purchase GS Group are on the lookout for more buys, according to the businesses’ leaders.
Two-thirds of schemes brokers not satisfied with compliance support from insurers
Only 34% of schemes brokers are satisfied with the support they receive from their insurers in dealing with compliance matters, according to research from Ecclesiastical.
Analysis: Sexism, seniority and insurance
As Amanda Blanc reveals the “misogynistic scars” she has suffered, and says that sexism got worse as she took more senior roles, Insurance Age investigates gender discrimination in insurance
Kentro Group records GWP growth of 19% in 2021
Kentro Capital grew gross written premiums by 19% to £367.4m in 2021 generating £53.1m of turnover, up 21% on 2020.
Cyber insurance costs doubled in a year - Howden
Howden’s annual report on cyber has revealed the average cost of cyber insurance has doubled since last year due to an extreme supply-demand imbalance.
Allianz agrees to sell majority stake in Russian operations
Allianz has agreed to sell a majority stake in its Russian operations to Interholding, the owner of Russian insurer Zetta insurance.
Earnix CEO warns on red flags
If a technology provider wants to change everything a company has done then it is most likely to be a “red flag”, Earnix CEO Udi Ziv told Insurance Age.
Clear sets £500m GWP target after Centor buy
Clear Group has set a £500m gross written premium target for the next couple of years after it achieved its £300m goal after snapping up Centor.
GRP-owned Marshall Wooldridge buys Bush & Associates
Global Risk Partners’ Marshall Wooldridge has bought Insurefirst which trades as Bush & Associates.
Igo4 highlights benefits of robotic process automation
Igo4 has flagged how the implementation of robotic process automation has helped drive efficiency in the business and freed up staff to work on high value tasks over repetitive, monotonous operations.
Biba welcomes FSCS fee cut
The British Insurance Brokers' Association has welcomed the Financial Services Compensation Scheme's decision to lower the broker levy from £68m to £5m for 2022/23.
Disappointed FCA warns brokers on consumer harms
The Financial Conduct Authority has written to brokers warning there are significant risks of potential harm that both the market and individual firms need to address and that it will take action where needed.
Adrian Coupland joins Earnix
The former customer and marketing director at SSP, Adrian Coupland, has joined Earnix as head of sales for insurance in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
SEIB adds Lloyd & Whyte CEO to board
Matthew Pyke has become a non-executive director for SEIB, which is owned by Ecclesiastical's parent firm. Lloyd & Whyte is also 20% owned by the Benefact Group
Zurich to sell Russian business to local team and exit market
Zurich Insurance Group has agreed to sell its Russian business to 11 members of the unit’s team.
RSA re-jigs leadership team to bring customer operations and claims together
RSA has promoted Karl Helgesen to chief operating officer with Louisa Leonard becoming managing director for personal lines to replace Kay Martin who is retiring.
Michael Gove slams "neither fair nor decent" high premiums for leaseholders
Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations has pledged to reduce premiums for leaseholders amid the Financial Conduct Authority’s study into the market.
Aviva grows UK GWP by 4% in Q1
Aviva has posted a 4% rise in UK gross written premiums for the first quarter of 2022 to £1.24bn but a deteriorating combined operating ratio of 99.4%.