News Analysis
Abacai CEO Mark Wilson resigns as director as DLG/M&A speculation ramps up
A trio of co-founders at private equity-backed insurtech Abacai Technologies, including former Aviva Group CEO Mark Wilson, have resigned as directors, Insurance Age can reveal.
Clear unveils 10% organic growth for 2022 and £51m broker buy costs
Clear Group grew revenue by 26% to £56.7m in 2022 driven by 10% organic growth and five acquisitions.
‘A major breakthrough’ – ChatGPT bots to revolutionise broker customer service
Ignite Insurance Systems has launched a super-advanced artificial intelligence bot to answer insurance customer queries. Technology enthusiasts believe this is the start of an AI-powered chatbot revolution in dealing with customer interactions. But this…
Clear Group adds third MGA with Profile Risk Solutions buy
Clear Group has bought specialist commercial lines managing general agent Profile Risk Solutions, trading as Profile Underwriting, adding its third MGA in a month, Insurance Age can reveal.
Somerset Bridge Group turnover flat but losses narrow in 2022
Operating profit from Somerset Bridge Group’s broking arm, which includes GoSkippy and Vavista, fell in 2022 by 18% to £2.7m.
Tysers launches division targeting global entertainment industry
Tysers has gone toe-to-toe with Howden with the launch of Tysers Live, a new division dedicated to servicing the needs of the global entertainment industry.
Gauntlet launches ‘try before you fly’ AR option
The Gauntlet Group has launched a new ‘try before you fly’ option for people looking to become an appointed representative of the network, Insurance Age can reveal.
Motor specialist Lucida posts second year of double-digit growth
Motor specialist Lucida Broking Holdings grew turnover in continuing operations by 28% in 2022 to £47m, according to a filing at Companies House.
Drone MGA Moonrock to target brokers after getting FCA authorisation
Drone insurance specialist managing general agent Moonrock is to up its efforts to court the broker market after receiving full authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority today, Insurance Age can reveal.
Interview: Chris Withers, Ecclesiastical
There is disruption in the schemes market and Ecclesiastical is taking advantage, says Chris Withers. Investment is being ploughed into its schemes, an important part of the insurer’s growth plans.
Lloyd & Whyte confirms 2022 deals spend
Lloyd & Whyte struck six deals in 2022 as turnover grew to £28.4m.
PIB reveals £506m spend in 2022 as revenue hits £345m
PIB Group upped its merger and acquisition spending to £506.2m in 2022, as it snapped up 23 businesses with considerable expansion into Europe.
Aston Lark posts growth and deal costs including for Reich and UKGlobal
Aston Lark grew revenue by 22% to £84.5m in the year to 30 September 2022.
Flood Re on Build Back Better broker education drive
Brokers have engaged with Build Back Better, and want to communicate the benefits to clients, Flood Re CEO Andy Bord has confirmed, as the mutual reinsurer outlined plans to help educate the sector.
Arag’s Andy Talbot confident Das deal will be positive for brokers
The UK head of sales and marketing at Arag, Andy Talbot, has promised brokers ‘best of breed products’ with a takeover of Das UK in the offing.
New WTW Networks MD John Read sees “wealth of opportunities”
John Read has hailed the “wealth of opportunities” after stepping up to be managing director of WTW Networks.
Opinion: SLAPP legislation changes and the insurance industry
Judges in the UK have been given powers to dismiss lawsuits, labelled by the UK government as intended to curtail the freedom of speech of journalists, at an early stage. Joe Wornham, senior technical underwriter – media liability at CNA Hardy, analyses…
Think Insurance on the hunt for acquisitions – Russell Bence
Think Insurance is on the hunt for acquisitions, targeting brokers with around £3m of gross written premium, commercial director Russell Bence told Insurance Age.
Q&A: Nadia Côté, managing director UK, Allianz Commercial
In her first interview since being announced in April as managing director UK at Allianz Commercial Nadia Côté tackles simplifying trade with brokers. She also assesses how the new Allianz Commercial structure will improve knowledge sharing and…
Experts call on brokers to take action as climate change drives shift in flood risk
Flood insurance specialists have urged brokers to stay on top of how they can help clients as the number of natural catastrophe weather events in the UK continues to increase due to climate change. Ida Axling investigates.
Turnover up but profits slip at Thomas Carroll
Thomas Carroll Group grew turnover by 11.2% in 2022, but increased expenses and investment spending knocked profits lower.
Broking telematics under the spotlight as motor insurers withhold or pull capacity
The broking telematics market has had a few setbacks of late with Unipol pulling capacity and Lumun pivoting to become an MGA. But as Saxon East discovers, there are positive signs on the road ahead too.
Sabre picks CDL for pricing and for retail platforms
Sabre Insurance has moved its pricing and direct insurance platforms to CDL, Insurance Age can reveal.
Graeme Trudgill on taking up the reins at Biba
Graeme Trudgill has committed to fighting strongly for brokers and to getting even more access to the Financial Conduct Authority for members as he takes up the role of CEO of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association.