Commercial
Review of the Year 2024: Allianz Commercial’s Nick Hobbs
Allianz Commercial chief distribution officer Nick Hobbs is intrigued by Aviva’s Probitas deal, bemoans the continued presence of underinsurance and hopes that the term ‘insurer service’ is consigned to the clickbait dustbin.
Gallagher to cement UK broking top spot with £10.5bn AssuredPartners swoop
Broking giant Arthur J. Gallagher has signed a definitive agreement to acquire US rival AssuredPartners, it announced this morning.
No change to Premium Credit disclosure arrangements
Premium Credit is not asking distribution partners to make any changes to existing customer journeys after reviewing the implications of a legal ruling for commission disclosure in motor finance.
Review of the Year 2024: Collegiate’s Richard Turnbull
Collegiate managing director Richard Turnbull expresses disappointment with the return of the ‘pay-to-play’ model in broking, surprise at Aon’s acquisition of Griffith & Armour and considers whether 2024 was the ‘era of repeating past mistakes’.
US insurance group looks to sign up MGA partners after UK arm gets PRA nod
US specialty insurer Fortega has received approval to establish Fortegra Insurance Company UK.
Review of the year 2024: Brown & Brown’s Sime
Chris Sime, group markets director at Brown & Brown Europe, predicts a UK consolidator could get taken out by a US broker, wonders why buyers continue to pay multiples on unrealistic Ebitda projections and mulls what a Blanc/Winslow reunion might look…
Interview: Nikki Lidster, Zurich
Nikki Lidster sets out her promises to brokers having taken up the post of head of SME and trading at Zurich earlier this year.
RSA targets writing to brokers in January on commission as NIG integration progresses
RSA will have harmonised its baseline commission tables by the end of this year, according to Laura Fox, distribution development director, in the latest integration webinar after the deal for NIG.
AbbeyAutoline buys Coleraine-based Wallace Insurance Brokers
AbbeyAutoline has bought the customer book of business of fellow Northern Ireland firm Wallace Insurance Brokers in its third deal of the year.
Capacity to dominate PI market trends in 2025 as report outlines rate decline
Professional indemnity rates have fallen at a speed that has surprised many, according to the fourth edition of the UK PI Market report from law firm, Clyde & Co.
Brown & Brown adds to PCG buying employee benefits specialists Drewberry
Brown & Brown Europe has bought Drewberry adding another employee benefits specialist to Premier Choice Group.
Gallagher promotes three to RMD as Patterson takes North West chair role
Gallagher has promoted James Fletcher, Mark Kerry and James Murray to regional managing director roles, all reporting to Peter Matthews, managing director of the North for Gallagher’s UK and Ireland Retail division.
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…
Allianz Commercial appoints regional head of multinational as Hegel promoted
Allie Chadwick has been named regional head of multinational in the UK at Allianz Commercial, effective immediately.
Review of the Year 2024: iprism’s Ian Lloyd
Ian Lloyd, CEO of iprism, reflects on integrating the MGA’s first acquisition, the over-use of the term AI and how he might shake the curse of ‘dad dancing’ by appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.
Sompo priortising regional hires and MGAs over expanding broker panel
Sompo remains “open minded” to further UK regional expansion, but is happy to build on its existing locations in Birmingham and Manchester for now.
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.