United Kingdom (UK)
Scrapping minimum training hours – Q&A with Crescens George, CEO of Wiser Academy
Last month, the Financial Conduct Authority proposed scrapping the specified minimum hours of training and development required for insurance employees.
Ex-Hiscox HNW boss Holmes’ new broker employer revealed
Specialist Risk Group has recruited Hiscox’s former high net worth broker boss Nicola Holmes.
Aviva partners with Towergate on caravan cover
Ardonagh-owned Towergate has teamed up with Aviva on caravan, park and leisure homes.
Flood Re boosts education drive with academy launch
Flood Re has launched a dedicated online e-learning platform providing free training on the Flood Re scheme and the Build Back Better initiative.
Gallagher grows real estate practice with broker buy
Gallagher has purchased commercial insurance broker Bicroft Insurance Services, expanding the broking giant’s real estate practice.
FOS expects motor insurance complaints to stay high in 2025/26
The Financial Ombudsman Service has flagged it expects complaints about motor insurance to remain high in 2025/26 due to the higher cost of, and supply challenges around, parts and labour.
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…
Brokerbility adds Cass-Stephens Insurances as member
Gloucester-based Cass-Stephens Insurances has joined Brokerbility, switching across from Bravo Networks.
Law firm warns brokers clock is ticking for Covid-19 BI claims
Fenchurch Law has warned brokers to make sure clients file any Covid-19 business interruption claims now, before they are time-barred.
Matt Williams named UK and Ireland CEO at Allianz Trade
Matt Williams, currently regional credit director for Allianz Trade in Northern Europe, is moving to be CEO in the UK and Ireland succeeding Sarah Murrow.
Deal-linked Esure swings back to profit
Motor and home insurer Esure, previously touted as takeover target for Ageas, Allianz and Aviva, moved back into the black in 2024 with a £57.7m post tax profit reversing a loss of £60.1m the year before.
HDI takes Breese from Arch as cyber leader
HDI Global UK and Ireland has recruited Marcus Breese as head of cyber underwriting, joining from Arch Insurance International.
Arron Banks slams Green ‘wokery’ and ‘finished’ Tories as he announces mayoral tilt
Somerset Bridge and Brightside founder Arron Banks has been confirmed as the Reform UK party mayoral candidate for the West of England.
Brunel Insurance Brokers in North Devon broker deal
Brunel Insurance Brokers has snapped up the renewal rights of John Walker Insurance.
Confidence on growth stays stable as regulation remains to the fore
Around nine in ten leaders continue to feel upbeat about growth prospects for the second quarter of 2025, according to the latest findings in the KPMG UK Financial Services Sentiment survey.
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.
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.
Meet the MGA: Optio Underwriting
With an aim to be the most admired global specialty MGA, Optio Underwriting group CEO Deepak Soni outlines how it attracts top talent, plans to mix organic growth with M&A and discusses the importance of having a PE backer that understands the subtle…
Mitsui Sumitomo to buy 15% stake in W.R. Berkley
Japanese insurer Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance has signed up to buy 15% of the shares in New York Stock Exchange listed W.R. Berkley Corporation.
RSA cutting up to 250 jobs in Peterborough following personal lines exit
RSA has put 250 jobs at risk in its Peterborough office over the next two years, following the insurer’s decision to exit the personal insurance market first announced in December 2023.
People Moves: 24 – 28 March 2025
Keep up to date with the latest insurance industry personnel moves.