Commercial
FCA cancels broker’s permissions
The Financial Conduct Authority has cancelled the ability of George Baker (Insurance Brokers) to carry out any regulated activities, with immediate effect.
M&A market will be busy but less frenzied in 2025, says Ardonagh boss Bayles
Ardonagh Advisory leader Phil Bayles has hailed reaching the goal of 12 deals in 2024 and indicated around a further six this year.
MGA launches mid-market cyber product
Cyber manging general agent Onda has launched Onda X, a new product that supports mid-market companies in the UK and France.
FUW launches account executive academy
Specialist agricultural insurance broker FUW Insurance Services has launched an internal account executive academy with six participants from its offices across Wales.
Lloyd’s sets scene for full-year results as COR ticks up to 86.9%
Lloyd’s has unveiled a combined operating ratio of 86.9% for 2024, with gross written premium rising to £55.5bn, in a trading update ahead of its full results later this month.
Pool Re consults on SME terrorism cover
Pool Re has launched a market consultation in an attempt to enhance terrorism cover for SMEs, as it warned only 4% currently have any.
PIB CEO hails ‘milestone’ as it buys MGA
PIB Group has acquired specialist litigation insurance managing general agent Litica.
Brown & Brown buys Edinburgh-based MGA
Brown & Brown Europe has bought niche construction sector property and complex liability programmes specialist Premier Commercial.
Granite to roll out broker portals and enhanced trading platform
Acorn’s Granite Underwriting will launch broker portals in the next few months as one part of an ongoing group investment in technology with Acturis-owned ICE, Insurance Age can reveal.
Aviva launches enhanced CCI offering, creating dedicated team
Aviva has made enhancements to its digital commercial combined insurance (CCI) proposition, in response to broker feedback that it can be challenging to place more complex risks online.
In Depth: How can brokers access capacity for specialist and non-standard risks?
Brokers continue to face challenges placing non-standard specialist risks that sit outside the core appetite of many mainstream insurers. Edward Murray explores how MGAs might be able to help these intermediaries grow their books by giving them capacity…
McCarron Coates appoints first AR
Leeds-based McCarron Coates has added its first appointed representative with start-up broker Kentaro but flagged it has no plans to build an AR network.
Hazelton Mountford targets hitting £20m GWP milestone in two years
Established in 2008, Hazelton Mountford is aiming to hit £20m gross written premium in the next two years through organic growth, Gordon Hazelton, group managing director, told Insurance Age.
Beazley posts record profit as premium tops $6bn
Beazley has reported insurance written premiums jumped 10% to $6.16bn (£4.84bn) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Allianz planning new regional broker office in 2025, says Holmes
Allianz has plans for a new branch in 2025, UK CEO Colm Holmes told Insurance Age, as he highlighted the provider’s commitment to regional underwriting.
Insurers and brokers must develop services to help customers understand risks – Neil Galjaard
A panel at the Association of British Insurers annual conference explained SMEs and mid-corporate businesses need education on risk management, with insurers and brokers playing a key role.
Eaton Gate first MGA live on imarket
Managing general agent Eaton Gate has joined imarket and will be deploying its first product, tradespeople, through imarket to the Bravo Digital Trader platform in March.
Allianz UK boosts GWP in 2024 as operating profit up 52%
Allianz UK has reported a 5.5% rise in total business volume last year to £4.66bn with profit surging ahead.
Pen Underwriting extends cover for recruitment agencies
Pen Underwriting has expanded and enhanced its specialist insurance proposition for recruitment agencies, to support clients’ international growth strategies.
Aviva “ruthlessly focused” on being consistent for brokers, says CEO Storah
Aviva grew UK SME business by 12% in 2024 with a more or less 50/50 split between rate and policy count growth, its UK and Ireland general insurance CEO has told Insurance Age.
Biba renews 20-year-old membership agreement
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has renewed its agreement with Premium Credit to provide a premium finance facility to its members.
Hiscox UK reports best growth since 2018 on back of “reinvigorated” distribution strategy
Hiscox has recorded its strongest growth in its UK retail business since in 2018 as the group reported a record pre-tax profit of $685.4m (£540.6m) in its 2024 full year results on written premiums of $4.77bn.
Aviva scores double-digit UK profit and volume growth in 2024
Aviva has posted 16% UK gross written premium growth in 2024, as its combined operating ratio improved to 94.9%.
AUB reports Momentum and Movo deal costs
Sydney-headquartered AUB Group has revealed the costs of snapping up 40% of appointed representatives network Momentum Broker Solutions and 80% of fellow AR offering Movo Group last year, and promised more deals to come.