United Kingdom (UK)
Ageas UK premiums up 21% in 2024 to €1.85bn
Ageas grew UK premiums by 21% last year to €1.85bn (£1.52bn), driven by expanding the customer base and premium rate in motor, its parent has confirmed.
Biba renews 20-year-old membership agreement
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has renewed its agreement with Premium Credit to provide a premium finance facility to its members.
Aviva scores double-digit UK profit and volume growth in 2024
Aviva has posted 16% UK gross written premium growth in 2024, as its combined operating ratio improved to 94.9%.
Marshberry: US consolidators bypassing UK for Euro deals as targets dry up
Acquisitive US brokers might favour deals in territories outside the UK to enter and grow in Europe as the number of targets here shrinks.
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.
AUB reports Momentum and Movo deal costs
Sydney-headquartered AUB Group has revealed the costs of snapping up 40% of appointed representatives network Momentum Broker Solutions and 80% of fellow AR offering Movo Group last year, and promised more deals to come.
US parametric specialist buys Floodflash
Insurtech Floodflash has agreed terms to be bought by US parametric insurance specialist NormanMax Insurance Holdings.
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.
Two more S166s into insurance firms
The Financial Conduct Authority commissioned two skilled person reports into insurance businesses between October and December 2024, taking the running total for the financial year into double digits.
Another double-digit jump for Polaris’s imarket takes premiums to £449m in 2024
Insurance premiums placed through digital trading platform imarket rose 15% to £449m in 2024 as Polaris built on surges in recent years.
FSCS opens to claims after Scottish broker stopped from trading by FCA
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has opened for claims from customers of Arthur Temlett, who traded as Abacus Insurance Consultants and was forced to stop carrying out any regulated activities by the Financial Conduct Authority at the start of…
Ex-England manager Gareth Southgate among Biba conference speakers
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has confirmed former England men’s football team manager Gareth Southgate as one of its 2025 conference keynote speakers.
Gallagher names ex-Giles boss Lyons specialty CEO as Turner departs
Gallagher has appointed Sarah Lyons, currently CEO of its Australia and Asia business, as CEO of the London-based specialty division, succeeding Jonathan Turner.
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.
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.
Seven kilometre high pile – FCA moves to clarify email deletion plans
The Financial Conduct Authority has acknowledged it hit the headlines last week with criticism of its plans to delete emails held in staff inboxes after a year, and has sought to explain what it is doing and why.
QBE hails “excellent” International COR of 88.7%
QBE International grew gross written premium by 11% to $9.84bn (£7.78bn) last year as the combined operating ratio improved.
People Moves: 17 – 21 February 2025
Follow the latest personnel moves in insurance.
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.
Hiscox UK adds Walker from Marsh as broker development director
Hiscox UK has appointed Stewart Walker as broker development director, a newly created role at the insurer.
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.
Zurich UK boosts operating profits as GWP rises and COR improves
Zurich UK improved its combined operating ratio in property and casualty business to 91.7% last year from 93.8% in 2023.
MCE administrator updates on progress
The administrators of MCE Insurance have detailed developments on credit hire, property and a court case involving Alpha Insurance in their latest update.
Howden’s UK broker buying takes off in 2025 with two aviation deals
Howden has bought aviation specialist Forbes Insurance and Hill Aviation Insurance Services’ book of business as it sets up a new division.