News Analysis
FOI: Cyber incidents reported to FCA by brokers seesaw
A Freedom of Information request by Insurance Age to the Financial Conduct Authority has shown swings in the levels of general insurers and intermediaries reporting cyber incidents to the regulator with a general downward trend over the last three years.
Ceta posts turnover and profit growth in run-up to sale
Digital niche personal lines and SME broker Ceta Insurance grew turnover by 23% in the year parent Atec Group was bought by European private equity investor Perwyn.
Ageas CEO Middle reassures brokers after Esure deal
Ageas will keep its focus on growing with brokers, CEO Ant Middle committed, as the Esure takeover creates a “balanced” portfolio with 50% of business still through the broking channel.
News analysis: To what extent have brokers bought into Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme?
Flood specialists warn of a persistent knowledge gap among general brokers, but highlight that more providers need to make the Build Back Better scheme available. Ida Axling reports.
CII responds to FCA’s proposal to scrap minimum insurance training hours
The Chartered Insurance Institute has no plans to alter its Continuous Professional Development expectations for members in light of the Financial Conduct Authority’s proposal to end the specified minimum hours of training and development required for…
News analysis: What does Aviva’s commission flex move mean for brokers and their customers?
In February, Aviva told brokers using e-trading platforms Fast Trade and Acturis E-Trade that they could set their own commission rates within set parameters of between 0% and 35%. Saxon East explores what this move means for brokers, their customers and…
Sporting Sponsor: Acrisure and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Insurance Age caught up with Mark McIlquham, CEO of Acrisure UK, to find out more about the business’s sponsorship of the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club.
Aviva to open regional underwriting branch in Cardiff
Aviva is opening a new regional underwriting branch in Cardiff to service brokers and clients in South Wales, Insurance Age can reveal.
FCA to cut “clunky interactions” as it drives digitisation
The Financial Conduct Authority is focused on cutting “clunky interactions”, with a key move being the digitisation of forms, according to Sheree Howard, FCA executive director of authorisations.
FOI reveals smaller broker involvement in FCA’s first Consumer Duty board reports review
The Financial Conduct Authority included 34 firms from the insurance sector in its review of the first annual Consumer Duty board reports, a Freedom of Information request from Insurance Age has revealed.
M&A market will be busy but less frenzied in 2025, says Ardonagh boss Bayles
Ardonagh Advisory leader Phil Bayles has hailed reaching the goal of 12 deals in 2024 and indicated around a further six this year.
Allianz planning new regional broker office in 2025, says Holmes
Allianz has plans for a new branch in 2025, UK CEO Colm Holmes told Insurance Age, as he highlighted the provider’s commitment to regional underwriting.
Aviva “ruthlessly focused” on being consistent for brokers, says CEO Storah
Aviva grew UK SME business by 12% in 2024 with a more or less 50/50 split between rate and policy count growth, its UK and Ireland general insurance CEO has told Insurance Age.
Polaris eyeing up £500m GWP milestone for imarket in 2025, confirms Banga
“I don’t want to tempt fate, but on current trajectory, we should be getting close [to £500m GWP] by the end of 2025,” Polaris managing director Vivek Banga told Insurance Age.
Four more S166s into insurance firms
The Financial Conduct Authority commissioned four skilled person reports into insurance businesses between October and December 2024, taking the running total for the financial year into double digits.
RSA testing “the art of the possible” on turnaround times
RSA is piloting how quickly it can turn around “fairly straightforward risks” in its national trading centre in Manchester, commercial managing director Sonya Bryson told Insurance Age.
FCA within a whisker of green sweep on authorisations
The Financial Conduct Authority delivered a top rating of ‘green’ across 16 authorisation metrics with only one ranked as ‘amber’ and none in the red zone during October to December last year.
Broker Diversity Push: No progress measured in 2024 benchmark
For the third year running the percentage of six key broking leadership roles held by women has stayed stuck at just over 16%, according to the latest Broker Diversity Push benchmark from Insurance Age.
Acturis rolls out AI and data-driven placement strategy offering Unify
Acturis has launched Unify, Insurance Age can reveal, an artificial intelligence and data-driven offering that can aid placement strategies with granular insights and appetite matching for brokers and insurers.
Market Movement Index: Brokers cutting agencies to focus on fewer insurers
Analysis from Broker Insights shows brokers are consolidating agency numbers and ending relationships with smaller, less useful, insurers. Rachel Gordon breaks down the data.
Allianz UK ‘lucky’ to have Phuong Ly, according to Australian insurance specialists
Australian insurance experts are positive on Allianz Commercial UK’s recent appointment of Phuong Ly telling Insurance Age he is a “great addition”.