News Analysis
Markerstudy Distribution eyeing up consumer lending opportunities
Markerstudy Distribution is investigating the possibility of moving into consumer lending, CEO Emma Rawlinson told Insurance Age.
Axa bosses Walker and Zweibrucker on growing with brokers in commercial and retail
The commercial and retail divisions of Axa Insurance in the UK are growing, the respective CEOs have confirmed, outlining plans to expand with brokers over the rest of the year and beyond.
Analysis: Is the era of offshore capacity over, or is it poised for a comeback?
High profile casualties such as Gibraltar-based Enterprise Insurance Company (2016), and Danish providers Alpha (2018) and Gefion (2021) meant offshore capacity came under scrutiny at the end of the last decade. Today there appears to be less noise about…
Staying one-step ahead in HNW with Aviva’s transformation – Owen
“We are always making sure we want to be one step ahead,” Ann Owen, managing director of Aviva Private Clients, told Insurance Age as the provider refreshed its product suite with the launch of Refine Home.
Zurich CEO Jaksic hails speed of broker service as key in softening market
The need for speed when it comes to broker service has been exacerbated in the softening commercial market, according to Zurich UK CEO Drazen Jaksic.
Peach grows in 2024 as NPAI moves back into profit
Peach, a trading style of NPA Insurance, grew net premiums by 70% in 2024 as it ceded less business to reinsurance.
Accelerant boss Radke on 30% MGA growth and enabling brokers to ‘monetise every opportunity’
Risk exchange platform and capacity provider Accelerant is aiming to support managing general agent members with 30% growth over the next 12 months, CEO Jeff Radke told Insurance Age.
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: FCA hoping approach will help build confidence in firms
The Financial Conduct Authority hopes firms build confidence in their knowledge of customer service and outcomes, as opposed to undertaking a “tickbox” exercise, delegates at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference in Manchester heard…
Biba 2025: Making MGA-capacity relationships flourish
Allowing managing general agents the freedom to act independently is the key to a productive insurer-MGA partnership, according to Pen Underwriting CEO Tom Downey.
Biba 2025: Allianz to sell pet insurance through brokers
Allianz is planning to enter the broker pet insurance market, Insurance Age can reveal.
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.