Interview
Mid-market boss Lyons wants Zurich to become a “nuisance” to rivals
Morgan Lyons, head of mid-market at Zurich, is looking to grow in the smaller mid-market space and become a “nuisance” to its competitors.
Broking Success: Service is key
Jamie Coyne, managing director of Fenchurch Insurance Brokers, and Carol Bridgland, associate director, look to hit the £20m GWP milestone in 2025, with the broker having grown quickly in the past two and a half years.
Interview: Hiscox UK COO Cath Frost on delivering operational excellence for brokers
Having joined Hiscox this April UK COO Cath Frost has already seen operational improvements but there is more to come from the insurer she promises brokers.
Interview: JMG’s Nick Houghton – Painting the broking picture
JMG boss Nick Houghton prefers lists over spaghetti structures. He shares his passion for art, his approach to building the lauded Leeds-headquartered business and his route into insurance as well as the broad strokes of what comes next.
Q&A: Aviva’s Jason Storah
One year into the role, Jason Storah, UK and Ireland general insurance CEO at Aviva, tells Insurance Age about the goals he is happy to be challenged on in another 12 months’ time, what the Probitas deal means for regional brokers and reflects on recent…
Applied Net 24: European business expanding commercial lines panel “significantly”, says CEO Needs
Applied Systems Europe is expanding its panel “significantly” in commercial insurance according to CEO Tom Needs, adding both Zurich and Aviva.
Broking Success: Galloping forward with Harry Hall
Liz Hopper, managing director of equine specialist Harry Hall and CEO of the group holding company, aims to double gross written premiums in the next 24 months and broaden the product offer.
Interview: Coalition’s Tom Draper on doubling in cyber with brokers
Cyber specialist insurer Coalition has grown to 32 people in the UK working with over 5,000 insurance staff in brokers across the country since going live in 2022, and is looking to expand again with a network of regional underwriting hubs, according to…
“Nobody came close to AUB” – CEO Cheesbrough on Movo’s new investor
The Movo Group is looking to create larger broking hubs and kickstart its directly authorised network Fusion after AUB took an 80% equity stake, according to Lea Cheesbrough, Movo Partnership CEO.
Allianz PL MD George hails LV Broker rebrand a success
Intermediaries are asking Allianz for more personal lines capacity and have welcomed the rebrand from LV, according to Nicola George, the new managing director of the insurer's broker PL arm.
Broker branches a key focus for Allianz in 2024, CEO Holmes promises
“I want to expand the amount of branches we have where we’re connecting with customers,” Allianz UK CEO Colm Holmes told Insurance Age.
Interview: Tuplin on turning up the heat with Ardonagh
Richard Tuplin, CEO of Advisory Insurance Brokers at Ardonagh, shares his insights on leading the transformational change that is garnering praise from the sector and the non-negotiable culture that is bringing success.
Body cameras improve claims dispute times and pricing – Axa’s Barnett
Body cameras help decrease the length of claims disputes involving brokers according to Dougie Barnett, director of customer risk management and midmarket at Axa UK.
Biba to be fully engaged on FCA’s regulation reviews
David Sparkes, regulation director at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, has committed the trade body will be “fully engaged” throughout the process for the Financial Conduct Authority’s commercial insurance regulation discussion paper.
Interview: Axa UK looks to leverage scale - Foley
Axa Commercial can now move “quicker and price more effectively” due to a new workbench system, which is “beneficial” to brokers and customers, according to Tara Foley, CEO of Axa UK and Ireland.
Moonrock boss on doubling broker base since MGA switch one year ago
Moonrock Drone Insurance has upped its broker engagement in its first year as an MGA, with a network hook-up, agriculture sector expansion and test flights for passenger drones all part of the equation, boss Simon Ritterband tells Insurance Age, and…
Axa boss Foley eyes midmarket space
Tara Foley, CEO of Axa UK and Ireland, told Insurance Age the insurer was looking to enter the “white space” between Axa and Axa XL.
Charles Manchester: Reflections on a career in insurance
Charles Manchester shares his reflections on the challenges and achievements during his time in the market as well as the outlook for MGAs and opportunities for the sector.
Interview: Tim Smyth, Bspoke
Bspoke Group CEO Tim Smyth tells Insurance Age about reaching profitability and expanding with brokers through organic growth, hires and new products as well as acquisitions.
Next deal on the horizon for Bspoke
Bspoke Group has “signed heads” on its next deal, with an announcement to come ‘in weeks’, CEO Tim Smyth has told Insurance Age.
Ex-APPG chair and MP Craig Tracey looking forward to new challenge
Former insurance broker and MP Craig Tracey told Insurance Age he was not looking to make a “snap decision” on his future after losing his seat in the general election.
Broking Success: Fiercely independent
Paul Wadsworth, managing director of FR Ball, is looking to grow the business to £24m gross written premiums as it aims to offer soft landings for acquisitions.
Ageas here for brokers Beckett promises as connected personal lines flourishes
“We are here for the broker today, and we will very much be here for them tomorrow. There’ll be no change in that strategy,” Ageas chief distribution officer Adam Beckett tells Insurance Age.
Interview: Addept Group managing director Richard Finan
Addept MD Richard Finan gives Insurance Age the lowdown on his return to the market; his thoughts on changes to the MGA market in the wake of Consumer Duty; and the challenges of creating ancillary products in a post-FCA GAP intervention world.