Interview
Sabre CEO Carter on growing profitably with brokers
With over 70% of Sabre’s business going through brokers, CEO Geoff Carter has hailed the insurer’s performance and promised there is more to come.
Interview: Phil Bayles, Ardonagh Advisory CCO
Phil Bayles tackles the plans for the rebrand of Ardonagh Advisory to Everywhen, shares insights on digital trading, the rise of AI and his expectations for rate movements in 2025.
Real-life examples of SME cyber attacks needed to drive uptake – FSBIS’s Katie Freemantle
Managing director of FSB Insurance Service, Katie Freemantle, said there are not enough examples of SMEs that have suffered from a cyber attack to show real risks to small businesses.
Bolt-on deal sealed by Bspoke, with more to come, says Smyth
Bspoke has completed a bolt-on deal and has a “fair bit” of ongoing activity, group CEO Tim Smyth told Insurance Age.
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.
The Yorkshire Broker looks to build on base as inquiries grow
Launched in 2023, The Yorkshire Broker has seen inquiries kicking up in the past six months, according to managing director Martin Weaver-Parker, after “a bit of a slow start”, as he targets doubling gross written premiums in 18 months.
Interview: RSA commercial managing director Sonya Bryson on being the “insurer on speed dial” for brokers
RSA commercial managing director Sonya Bryson told Insurance Age the insurer has established its regional footprint as she shared insight on traded SME and servicing risks better that fall between e-trade and mid-market, but admitted it is behind…
MGAA’s Mike Keating sees opportunity to ramp up support material on claims
Mike Keating, CEO of the Managing General Agents’ Association, sees an opportunity to ramp up guidance on claims, while also highlighting the “extremely buoyant” MGA market.
Broking Success: Personable service
David Walton, senior director of commercial specialist broker Bromwall, is aiming to double turnover in five years, as the business looks to remain independent offering personable service.
Motor MGA widens distribution after targeting £125m GWP with Zurich capacity
Managing general agent Freedom Services is aiming to more than double the business it writes to £125m gross written premium through a capacity deal it struck with Zurich in 2024, Insurance Age can reveal.
Interview: Nick Harris – listening and helping on the Gallagher Way
Nick Harris tells Insurance Age about returning to the UK market after a 14-year stint in Australia, why a transitioning market is “when really good brokers stand out”, and shares his key questions to staff after becoming UK and Ireland retail CEO at…
ZPC extends high net worth wordings and reaffirms growth appetite
Kevin Morton, head of Zurich Private Clients, has committed to brokers that the business is in the high net worth market for the long-term as he unveiled a raft of policy enhancements in motor and home wordings.
SSP Broker adds 10 insurer schemes in 2024 with 10 more planned this year
Managing director Martyn Mathews has targeted adding 10 insurer schemes onto SSP Broker this year, matching the achievement last year.
Open GI continues investment in technology and AI
Simon Badley, CEO of Open GI, is looking for the business to become a “technology partner”, as it makes continued investment in technology and AI to give its brokers a competitive advantage.
New Ripe CEO eyes up deals and four product launches in 2025
“The challenge that I’ve taken on, and I’ve mapped out, is both organic growth maintained in double digits and a healthy amount of growth coming through new products,” Ripe CEO Alan Thomas has told Insurance Age.
Broking Success: Growing regional presence
Financial Affairs CEO Laurence O’Connor looks to grow the business ten fold three years ahead of schedule, after making four acquisitions in 18 months.
Organ plans to triple Jensten’s GWP over 3–4 years as refinancing gathers pace
Rob Organ, CEO of Jensten Group, is targeting £1.5bn in gross written premium within three to four years, more than triple what it has now, with a refinancing on the horizon.
Young broker looks to grow skills on Aviva’s Rising Stars programme
Aviva Rising Stars participant Poppy Keys, commercial broker executive at ABA Insurance Commercial, confirms she is already seeing changes to her role thanks to the programme.
Newbie News: Podium Insurance Brokers
James Blair, CEO of Podium Insurance Brokers, tells Insurance Age how he started the business and how he aims to grow the specialist motorsport broker through word of mouth.
Axa Commercial boss Walker targets turnaround time for brokers
Axa Commercial is two thirds of the way through a technology transformation programme, and Commercial CEO Jon Walker is looking to shorten turnaround times in terms of risk appetite.
Broking Success: Bletchley’s Angela Irvine
Angela Irvine, sales director of Bletchley, outlines how the Birmingham-based broker is looking to build on its solid foundations whilst its independent status is unlikely to change anytime soon.
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.
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.
Broking Success: Insight in niche areas
Tim Sydenham, managing director of County Insurance Services, looks to grow policy count in niche areas, as the business celebrates 40 years.