News Analysis
Biba 2025: Laura Hancock urges independents not to give up
Laura Hancock, managing director of Yutree Insurance, has urged independent brokers not to give up, as she acknowledged regulation and other factors being difficult at the moment.
Biba 2025: The new era for insurance broking with AI and MGAs
Artificial intelligence will not replace advisers, but will add to decision making, while managing general agents will continue to become increasingly relevant to brokers, delegates at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference heard today.
Acrisure UK boss happy with deal pipeline as he dismisses “myth” of diminishing targets
The boss of Acrisure’s UK retail business has rebuffed suggestions it has missed the boat in terms of having the best pick of suitable broking acquisitions – and pointed to its ownership structure and “myth” about size of potential target base as factors…
Commercial Express to add Axa and Carbon capacity as it unveils MGU plan
Managing general agent Commercial Express has signed capacity deals with Axa and Carbon Underwriting, Insurance Age can reveal, as it progresses to become a managing general underwriter and targets doubling in size.
FCA reveals fall in GI and protection appointed reps
The number of appointed representatives in the general insurance and protection space fell to 7,359 last year as the sector posted the biggest volume drop in the financial services market.
AUB UK Retail targeting 25 deals in 18 months
AUB UK Retail is looking to make 25 buys before the end of next year, with CEO Bob Pybus eyeing up building a £1bn premium business through acquisitions and organic growth, Insurance Age can reveal.
News analysis: Does the UK broking community actually need another network?
With Jensten becoming the latest addition to the network landscape in March, Martin Friel assesses whether the sector is over subscribed and reflects on how these operations have evolved over the last three decades.
Zurich to launch network trading branch for mid-market in Q3
Zurich is building a mid-market business servicing centre for network members to go live in the third quarter, Insurance Age can reveal.
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.
Axa swings back to UK underwriting profits in 2024
Axa Insurance UK returned to underwriting profit in 2024 with a £45m result, reversing a £103m deficit in 2023.
A-Plan details £3.6m rebrand spend as turnover ticks up but profits dip in 2024
A-Plan, now rebranded as Howden, grew turnover by 2.1% to £167.3m in the year ended 30 September 2024 as investments in staff, rebrand costs and IT spend hit the bottom line.
New owners reveal Academy and Premierline deal costs
Academy Insurance Services’ previous owner Vmans cost £7.87m while the bill for Premierline came in at £4.12m, filings at Companies House have revealed.
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.