E-Trading
Merger talk unfounded
Market rumours that SSP had opened talks with Broker Direct with a view to a possible takeover have been denied by both firms
Xchanging sees growth in profit and revenue
Xchanging’s results for the year ending 31 December 2009 revealed a 35% increase in revenue, increasing to £750.4m (2008:£557.8m)
Aviva joins forces with SSP
Aviva has teamed up with global IT company SSP to give 600 extra brokers access to personal lines products.
Open GI wins £10m contract with PowerPlace
Open GI has signed the contract with PowerPlace to develop new electronic products on the Open Trader platform
Open GI appoints head of software development
Technology company Open GI has appointed Sue Craig to the new role of head of software development.
Chinese software firm opens first UK office
Zurich and Shanghai-based eBaoTech has launched a presence in the UK with the opening of an office in Birmingham where it hopes to create 15 new jobs
Chaucer raids Groupama for e-commerce chief
Chaucer Insurance, the UK division of Chaucer Holdings, has appointed Ken Hutchinson as head of e-commerce.
Policyfast plans to double broker base
Policyfast, the web-based underwriting agency for independent brokers, has recruited Jacky Moore in the role of broker development manager.
PowerPlace targets brokers with new head office
PowerPlace has opened a new head office in Warwickshire, between Warwick and Leamington Spa.
Keychoice Underwriting takes first steps towards market launch
Keychoice Underwriting has unveiled its senior management team in the run up to its official launch later this year
Broker retaliates against direct writers with launch
Cheshire-based broker RK Henshall & Co is to hit back against direct writers with the launch of two online offerings for intermediaries
Fighting talk: Insurecom CEO refutes rivals' allegations of spin
Phillip Walter, chief executive of software firm Insurecom, has hit back at industry rivals who claim the company's latest financial results owe more to spin than to reality
Soundbytes
Fast Trade is Aviva's online quote-and-buy facility for small business packages. It provides brokers with simpler navigation and improved quote facilities, cover and instant documentation. The site also provides product information and an online claims…
Research on broker IT spend reveals an improved outlook
Brokers are more optimistic about the year ahead than they were about 2009, according to recent research into the predicted levels of IT spend
Reportage: internet assistance - Keeping in touch
Louise Meeson offers practical advice on how brokers can utilise their websites to build customer relationships and improve business performance
Unexpected loss of MD forces e-division reshuffle
Towergate Risk Solutions has reorganised its e-division and sales and service management team following the untimely death of former managing director for Towergate e-division, Matthew Bright
Insurance fails to instill trust
The insurance sector has trailed third from bottom in a survey revealing what the 'well-informed' members of the UK public trust in business
E-trading leads 2010 technology agenda
Four industry information technology experts give Emmanuel Kenning their views on which developments will affect the profession in the coming year
Chubb launches enhances broker website
Chubb Insurance has announced the launch of its newly enhanced broker website - Masterpiece24 - which for the first time has been designed to allow brokers to quote and bind high net worth cover online
Ewen Gilmour appointed as LMA representative on XIS board
Ewen Gilmour has been appointed as the Lloyd's Market Association's (LMA) representative on the board of Xchanging Ins-sure (XIS) as non-executive director
Groupama appoints new head of e-commerce
Groupama Insurances has appointed Malcolm Etchells, currently operations development manager, as its new head of e-commerce, reporting to Kevin Kiernan, Groupama's personal lines director
Garwyn launches online accident reporting system to enhance FNOL process
Garwyn has launched an online accident reporting system for the work place
London Market Group announces "ambitious agenda" for 2010
Barnabas Hurst-Bannister, chairman of the London Market Group (LMG), has announced the group’s plans for 2010
Axa launches travel extranet for brokers
Registered brokers can now manage client travel portfolios via the online portal