Insurer
Review of the Year 2023: Investec Premium Finance’s Osian Rees
Osian Rees, head of Investec Premium Finance, reflects on why affordability and access to insurance cover could be vote-winners at the next election, and why brokers must ensure their supplementary costs align with fair value principles.
Arch to sell MGA platform Castel to Ryan Speciality
Ryan Specialty has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Castel Underwriting Agencies from Arch Financial Holdings (UK) and minority shareholders.
Review of the Year 2023: Polo Managing Agency’s Paul Andrews
Paul Andrews, CEO of PoloWorks and Polo Managing Agency, wonders what happened to Arch’s auction for Castel and predicts an FCA crackdown on the ‘last bastion of poor outcomes’ to protect vulnerable groups.
Axa appoints Matt Field as retail intermediary director
Axa UK and Ireland has appointed ex-Aviva director Matt Field as retail intermediary director.
CII confirms Gill White as acting CEO ahead of Vallance leaving early
The Chartered Insurance Institute has confirmed that current chief customer officer Gill White will become acting CEO at the end of December when Alan Vallance leaves ahead of schedule.
Interview: SiriusPoint’s Rob Gibbs and Alex Hardy
Regional brokers’ interest in SiriusPoint has been piqued by a slew of appointments, most notably involving ex-RSA leaders, and a high profile MGA deal. Emmanuel Kenning finds out what the insurer has to offer and what is coming next.
Lloyd’s confirms staying in iconic HQ until 2035
Lloyd’s of London has confirmed the extension of its lease to stay in its famous headquarters at One Lime Street until 2035 with an option to remain until 2040.
Review of the Year 2023: Arc Legal Group’s Peter Harvey
Peter Harvey, deputy CEO of Arc Legal Group muses on a 20th anniversary celebration and reliving his school days by becoming an Olympian long jumper.
Allianz has all the ingredients to be the go-to on mid-market for brokers, says Carey
Dave Carey, managing director for mid-market at Allianz Commercial, is upbeat on the prospects for the insurer working in partnership with brokers as he reveals the characteristics-based underwriting approach for 2024.
Lloyd’s to stay in iconic headquarters until 2035 – report
Lloyd’s of London has struck a deal to stay in its famous headquarters at One Lime Street until at least 2035, according to the Financial Times.
Review of the Year 2023: Ageas’s Middle, Beckett, Clarke and Linklater
The Ageas UK management team ponder the plethora of personal lines exits and why a reduction in IPT could be a 2024 election vote winner.
Review of the Year 2023: Direct Commercial’s Adam Marsh
Adam Marsh, head of agency and development at Direct Commercial reflects on asking ChatGPT why commercial motor insurance should use AI and why good service is frequently over-promised and under-delivered.
Meet the MGA: Corin Underwriting
Andy Hurrell, the managing director and head of underwriting at Corin, outlines his plans for a business that has made Lloyd’s-on-Sea its home with a strategy that aims to embrace everything good about being a virtual insurer and a recognised MGA.
Alain Zweibrucker named Axa Retail CEO
Axa has moved Alain Zweibrucker from Switzerland to become CEO of Axa Retail and a member of the UK and Ireland management committee.
FOS motor insurance complaints soar again to new five-year high
The Financial Ombudsman Service received 4,036 complaints about car and motorcycle insurance between July and September driven by disputes over vehicle valuation, customer service issues, and delays in claim settlements.
Markel International launches specialty division in international wholesale
Markel has launched a specialty practice within its international wholesale division bringing together its equine and livestock, marine and energy liability, trade credit, political risk, and surety underwriting teams, as well as its new international…
Allianz targets doubling brokers in Accelerator Programme to 250 next year
Mike Thomas, director of distribution for digital and mid-market at Allianz Commercial, has set his sights on reaching 250 brokers in its Accelerator Programme next year.
Review of the Year 2023: Zurich’s David Nichols
David Nichols, Zurich Insurance UK head of retail reflects on the hype over the ‘war for talent’ and how RSA’s acquisition of NIG is symptomatic of the drive towards e-trading and serving brokers better.
Former RSA employee who stole and sold customer details jailed
An ex-RSA employee has been jailed for stealing customer details and selling them to claims management companies.
EY predicts worst UK motor performance since 2010 with industry NCR of 114.6%
EY has revised its prediction for the UK motor insurance market and now expects this year will be the worst since 2010 with a net combined ratio of 114.6%.
Ex-ABI boss Huw Evans named KPMG UK’s head of insurance
Huw Evans has been appointed head of insurance at KPMG in the UK, replacing Trevor Jones from April 2024 who is retiring from the firm.
Home insurance prices rise a record 36% in a year
The average quoted home insurance price increased by 36.1% in a year to October, the highest annual rise on record, according to the latest Consumer Intelligence Home Insurance Price Index.
UK property MGA to launch in January 2024
Real estate managing general agent Ventis is set to launch in January with capacity from Accelerant and the support of Mission Underwriters.
Premium finance lenders ready to support brokers hit by BNP Paribas pullout
The leaders of broker-facing premium finance providers have reassured they can move quickly to help brokers affected by BNP Paribas Personal Finance’s decision to exit in 2024.