Commercial
Analysis: Aviva’s bid for DLG – what are the pros and cons for UK insurance brokers
The industry was abuzz last week with the ramifications of Aviva’s £3.3bn bid for Direct Line Group. Jonathan Swift reflects on the weekend’s developments, and what the deal might mean for UK brokers should the possibility of a green light gain momentum in the coming weeks.
Ecclesiastical partners with Clear on local councils scheme
Ecclesiastical has teamed up with Clear Councils, part of Clear Group, adding the broker’s local councils insurance to its schemes book in an arrangement that will come in to force at the start of 2025.
Partners& in triple swoop
Partners& has added another two brokers and a managing general agent to its stable, Insurance Age can reveal.
Polaris at 30 – Jackie Childs
In the concluding instalment of Polaris at 30, senior business analyst at the insurance industry-owned organisation Jackie Childs rounds up the progress on digital trading moving from monthly personal lines updates sent out on floppy discs to the new era…
Rokstone launches disgrace cover
Managing general agent Rokstone has added to its contingency product suite with the launch of disgrace cover.
CFC unveils new product aimed at mid-to-large tech companies
Specialist insurance provider CFC has launched what it describes as a “comprehensive insurance solution” for mid-size to multinational tech companies.
Polaris at 30 – Phil Bayles
In the final day of the Polaris at 30 Q&A series Ardonagh’s Phil Bayles assesses the development of digital trading from slow, cumbersome and inflexible systems to becoming mainstream.
Polaris at 30 – Derek Cowie
Derek Cowie started working at General Accident (now Aviva) in 1992. Polaris was founded in 1994 launching digital trading platform imarket in 2004.
Ex-LV boss Mike Crane joins Axa Commercial as director
Axa Commercial has appointed Mike Crane as SME & Specialty director to take up the role at the beginning of January next year.
Polaris at 30 – Theo Duchen
Acturis Group co-CEO Theo Duchen delivers the third Q&A of the Polaris at 30 series and details the collective goal that would put “the UK light years ahead of any other market”.
Start-up broker partners with Shepherd Compello on motorsport insurance
Shepherd Compello has partnered with start-up Podium Insurance Brokers, a specialist motorsport broker.
Investments bring downward pressure on profits at Bridge for 2024
Bridge Insurance Brokers has reported a drop in profits for the year ended 31 March 2024 as turnover fell 3% year-on-year.
Analysis: Placement strategies – are brokers turning the tables?
What is driving brokers’ decisions on which markets they use? While once it was insurers holding the aces, it now appears the boot is on the other foot, finds Rachel Gordon
Polaris at 30 – Stuart Reid
In the second Q&A instalment of the Polaris at 30 series, chair of Partners& Stuart Reid shares memories of the industry moving from paper rating guides to digital trading and his view on the “plainly daft” frustration in e-trading today.
PE-backed US consolidator buys London-based MGA
Landmark Underwriting has been acquired by Bishop Street Underwriters, a US-based MGA consolidator and incubator backed by RedBird Capital Partners.
Polaris at 30 – Ray Vincent
As insurance industry owned Polaris celebrates its 30th birthday, Insurance Age asks experts for their recollections on the dawn of digital trading and what is coming next.
Government to consult on leasehold commission ban “very shortly”
The Government has revealed it plans to consult on a proposed ban on leasehold insurance commission next year.
JMG in quadruple deal swoop
JMG has snapped up four brokers, adding additional expertise in high-net-worth, commercial, motor trade, technical and specialist consultancy services to the Yorkshire-headquartered group, Insurance Age can reveal.
Polaris at 30 – managing director Vivek Banga
Ahead of a week-long ‘Polaris at 30’ series Insurance Age caught up with managing director Vivek Banga to run the rule over the history of e-trading developments and what is coming next for brokers.
News analysis: Acquisitional independent brokers are on the rise, but are they any different to consolidators?
Whilst larger international and private equity backed-brokers might get the most headlines when it comes to mergers and acquisitions, they are not the only firms looking to buy. Martin Friel looks at the emergence of a host of smaller independent…
Close Brothers bringing in written consent rule on commercial broker premium finance commission
Close Brothers will require consent from commercial customers for broker commissions for premium finance as of Monday 25 November.