Interview
Meet the MGA: Arkel
Chief underwriting officer Kris Lee outlines why data and people are key to Arkel’s success, none more than recent recruits Matthew Donaldson and Steve Lewis, and how its ‘dream team’ will take it to new heights in a ‘pivotal’ 2025 as it aims to become a multi-line, digitally led £100m MGA.
Aviva’s Yabantu: Consistency of strategy needed in mid-market
Michael Yabantu, head of mid-market at Aviva, highlights the need for consistency in mid-market underwriting strategy, and shares how the insurer is improving response times and refreshing products.
QBE’s Fitzgerald on doubling in the regions, and what comes next
In the past three years, QBE has doubled its gross written premium in the regions and is not taking its “foot off the growth”, UK regions director Andy Fitzgerald tells Insurance Age, promising consistency for brokers.
Hemming: Hiscox hungry for more schemes business in any area bar motor
Gareth Hemming, Hiscox chief distribution officer, has set his sights on high net worth, and told Insurance Age a quartet of “significant schemes” are on the way in the next three to four months.
Jensten’s £1m investment in fledgling brokers, one year on
Jordan Maskell, network director at Jensten Group, has updated Insurance Age one year on from the announcement of its plans to invest up to £1m through Coversure to help people start their own brokers.
Downey on getting Pen to £1.75bn by 2030
Having hit its goal of £1bn gross written premium a year early in 2024, Pen Underwriting has set its sights on £1.75bn by 2030. CEO Tom Downey tells Insurance Age about the strategy of organic growth, product development and acquisitions now in place to…
Newbie News: CastleBridge Risk Solutions
CastleBridge Risk Solutions founders, Tim Grant and James Dunsby, tell Insurance Age how the business will focus on service, the importance of relationships, and all about its partnership with Cornerstone Finance Group and Imperial Chartered.
Interview: Duncan Pritchard, CEO of Commercial Express
Last year Commercial Express garnered extensive attention from the broker community with its slew of eye-catching product launches, CEO Duncan Pritchard tells Insurance Age about the growth of the business and what is coming next.
Interview: Bob Pybus, CEO of AUB UK Retail
Having been named CEO of AUB UK Retail last September, Bob Pybus reflects on his route to the role, tells Insurance Age about the deals struck so far and shares his plans to grow to a £1bn business.
Broking Success: Pipeline of talent
CJ Insurance, specialists in close protection, security and defence has a pipeline of talent through the business, according to managing director James Clarke, as he targets doubling its size over the next five years.
Zurich ‘in force’ at Biba conference, with capacity deals on the horizon – David Nichols
David Nichols, UK head of retail at Zurich, looks to grasp the opportunities of e-trade, highlights a “few more” capacity deals in the pipeline, and shares his key message for brokers ahead of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference next…
Interview: Mike Crane, SME & Specialty director at Axa Commercial
In his first interview since starting at Axa Commercial as SME and specialty director this January, Mike Crane tells Insurance Age about his key message to brokers at the upcoming Biba Conference, what he has found at his new home and his plans for the…
Interview: Sue Coffey, Covéa
With no distractions and a clear strategy centred on five core products, Covéa personal lines director Sue Coffey tells Jonathan Swift the insurer is keen to grow its share of the regional broking market, by sticking to what it is good at.
Policy Expert has “clear focus” on UK with plans to double the business
Personal lines specialist Policy Expert is targeting organic growth in the UK, with plans to double the business in the next three to five years, according to CEO Steve Hardy.
Radius Insurance MD sees “huge” opportunity to put “foot on the gas”
Philip Thorn, Radius Insurance Solutions managing director, is eyeing up the opportunities from being a true risk advisor and broker, as he highlights possibilities to lean into the wider group’s customer base.
Axa committed to regional PL market – intermediary director Matt Field
Matt Field, director of intermediary at Axa retail, has told Insurance Age the insurer is “committed” to the regional intermediary market, and is focusing on sustainable growth.
Newbie News: Taurus Risk
Thomas Beckett, co-founder of Taurus Risk, tells Insurance Age how he started the business and how he aims to grow the broker and find its niche.
Hiscox aims to be insurer of choice on schemes as it targets double-digit growth
Hiscox has set its sights on being the insurer of choice on schemes business in its chosen sectors, and is targeting double-digit growth, according to head of schemes Natasha Pettet.
Momentum increases revenue 21% in 2024 as it grows financial support for members
Appointed representative network Momentum hit £97m gross written premiums last year growing 21%, as founder and managing director Howard Pepper looks to continue financial support for its ARs following AUB investment.
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.
Ageas CEO Middle on elevating onto the podium with broker growth
Ageas has its strongest pipeline of opportunities with brokers ever as it targets growing to be a podium player, CEO Ant Middle told Insurance Age.