Commercial
Meet the MGA: MX Underwriting
Ian Cook, managing director at MX Underwriting, explains why he believes MGAs are not suffering a capacity crunch, and outlines plans to write in excess of £200m GWP in 2025 and add to MX’s product range and capability.
Brokerbility adds Cass-Stephens Insurances as member
Gloucester-based Cass-Stephens Insurances has joined Brokerbility, switching across from Bravo Networks.
Law firm warns brokers clock is ticking for Covid-19 BI claims
Fenchurch Law has warned brokers to make sure clients file any Covid-19 business interruption claims now, before they are time-barred.
Brunel Insurance Brokers in North Devon broker deal
Brunel Insurance Brokers has snapped up the renewal rights of John Walker Insurance.
Meet the MGA: Optio Underwriting
With an aim to be the most admired global specialty MGA, Optio Underwriting group CEO Deepak Soni outlines how it attracts top talent, plans to mix organic growth with M&A and discusses the importance of having a PE backer that understands the subtle…
Mitsui Sumitomo to buy 15% stake in W.R. Berkley
Japanese insurer Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance has signed up to buy 15% of the shares in New York Stock Exchange listed W.R. Berkley Corporation.
Iprism grows again with a 21% boost in 2024
Managing general agent Iprism Underwriting Agency grew 21% in the year to 30 June 2024, building on the 16% achieved the year before, and is eyeing up further expansion in 2025.
Allianz Commercial appoints CUO and CTO
Allianz UK has appointed Adam Lloyd from Allianz Australia as chief underwriting officer in Allianz Commercial and promoted Claire Buck to the newly created role of chief technical officer for the division.
Aviva to open regional underwriting branch in Cardiff
Aviva is opening a new regional underwriting branch in Cardiff to service brokers and clients in South Wales, Insurance Age can reveal.
TBIG starts 2025 M&A push
Beam Insurance Solutions, part of The Broker Investment Group, has bought Bridgnorth-based KDH Insurance Brokers.
Patston named Touchstone MD as Roe retires
Mike Patston has been promoted to managing director of Touchstone Underwriting following the retirement of Alan Roe.
Broker hails ‘financial firepower’ and ‘skillsets’ of PE partner after selling minority stake
Berry Palmer & Lyle, the specialist credit and political risk insurance broker, has announced today that it has secured investment from private equity firm Preservation Capital Partners.
H.W. Wood rebrands to HWS Specialty after sale to Steadfast
London-headquartered specialist wholesale broker H.W. Wood has rebranded to HWS Specialty after being snapped up by Steadfast Group.
Broker confidence in non-standard market waning, says Prestige
Managing general agents remain pivotal in non-standard but there are “mixed signals” in broker confidence, according to a survey by Prestige Underwriting.
Interview: Mike Bottle, managing director of the Arch Insurance UK regional division
After a decade of transformation, multi-award-winning Arch is very much open for business with brokers and ready for more profitable growth across its regional network, hub and digital offerings, boss Mike Bottle tells Insurance Age.
Ecclesiastical delivers major COR improvement with sub 80% in UK and Ireland
Ecclesiastical Insurance improved its combined operating significantly in the UK and Ireland last year as underwriting profits more than doubled.
Alps boosts add-ons product suite
Managing general agent Alps has launched commercial excess protection.
Howden buys Scottish broker
Howden Scotland has bought Edinburgh-based SKB Independent Insurance Brokers.
Clear recruits ex-Willis international CEO as COO
The Clear Group has appointed Simon Smith as group chief operating officer.
MGAA boss Keating weighs in as broker survey backs dedicated MGA regulation
A recent survey of insurance brokers has shown backing for the establishment of a dedicated regulatory framework for MGAs, with 68% agreeing that the Financial Conduct Authority should regulate MGAs separately from insurers and brokers.
Peach and Alan Boswell partner on complementary therapy scheme
Peach and Alan Boswell Group have struck their second partnership as the Top 100 Broker aims to grow its bespoke scheme for complementary therapists.
Q&A: Christy Chisholm, group sales and marketing director at Clear Group
With 100 days in the role after joining Clear Group from Premium Credit, group sales and marketing director Christy Chisholm reflects on the initial challenges, successes and her work with the British Insurance Brokers’ Association promoting insurance as…
Zurich fraud detection rises to £94m
Zurich UK uncovered £94.79m of fraudulent claims in 2024, around £260,000 per day.
Private equity firm takes minority stake in Seventeen Group
European mid-market private equity firm IK Partners has signed up to take a minority stake in Seventeen Group, marking its entry into the UK insurance market.