Compliance
Broking Success: Targeting the 100-year milestone
WH&R McCartney is believed to be the oldest independent broker in Scotland. With only a handful of years left to go until its centenary, directors Graeme Robb and Alan Kirkwood are confident of further growth and success for the Motherwell-based firm.
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.
Sicsic Advisory teams up with software experts for fair value product
Regulation consultancy Sicsic Advisory has teamed up with lifecycle management experts Skyjed to launch a new all-in-one product oversight and governance solution.
Brokers waiting on insurers and tech vendors to demonstrate value of AI and ChatGPT
Brokers are unlikely to actively embrace artificial intelligence and explore the potential of ChatGPT until insurers and technology vendors have demonstrated their value, and none need fear that they will replace them in giving advice.
FOS insurance complaints rise 19.9%
The Financial Ombudsman Service opened 39,730 new insurance cases in 2022/23.
In Depth: How broker networks are embracing data and new technology
There have been a glut of recent data and technology solutions launched into the network space. Martin Friel explores how important these developments are when it comes to attracting new members.
In Depth: Building a USP to make a broker network stand out
Networks are playing an increasingly important role in helping build and grow the independent broking successes of the future. With so much competition to choose from though, how are these businesses looking to differentiate themselves? Martin Friel…
Interview: Paul Tasker, Reg Technologies
Paul Tasker spent his entire career working in broking, until he moved five years ago to insurtech Reg Technologies. Enjoying life in his new role, he talks about risks facing insurance firms and how Reg can help.
Brokers told to prepare for major law change in rental insurance sector
Brokers have been told that a major change in the law in property will also affect the insurance market.
FCA sets out whistleblower commitments
The Financial Conduct Authority has unveiled a series of actions to boost whistleblowers’ confidence.
Sicsic Advisory becomes Biba associate
Regulatory and risk consultancy Sicsic Advisory has become an associate of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association.
Ex-FCA leader Salter joins Sicsic Advisory
Former Financial Conduct Authority director Philip Salter has joined strategic risk and regulatory consultancy Sicsic Advisory as a senior adviser.
FCA proposes 10.4% hike to broker fees block
The Financial Conduct Authority is poised to raise fees for the general insurance mediation pot where brokers sit to £34.7m for 2023 to 2024, as its budget rises to £684.2m, including a £5.3m Consumer Duty cost.
The FCA: 10 years on has it been a success, failure – or somewhere in between?
On 1 April 2013 insurance brokers faced a new regulatory dawn as the baton passed from the Financial Services Authority to the Financial Conduct Authority. Insurance Age canvassed opinion throughout the market to find out views on how the first decade…
MGAs and insurers are urged to chase brokers as Consumer Duty deadline looms
Insurers and MGAs have until the end of April to ensure they have all the product reviews handed in to comply with Consumer Duty deadlines.
Interview: Biba CEO Steve White - Leading from the front
To coincide with the 10th anniversary of his appointment as CEO of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, Insurance Age takes Steve White on a trip down memory lane.
Opinion: How long have directly authorised independent brokers got left?
Lea Cheesbrough, managing director of Movo Partnership argues the appointed representative model is becoming the preferred choice for start-up brokers and increasingly popular among directly authorised firms looking to switch.
Biba demands FCA turn up the heat on authorisations ‘burndown’
The Financial Conduct Authority is taking “far too long” to authorise firms seeking to trade general insurance business for the first time and also needs to up its game on key c-suite broker approvals, executive director of the British Insurance Brokers’…
FCA broker c-suite volumes stable as decision delays tick down
The Financial Conduct Authority authorised 1129 general insurance intermediary CEOs in 2021 and a further 994 in the first 10 months of 2022, an Insurance Age Freedom of Information request to the regulator has revealed.
FCA brings broker role approval turnaround time down to 92 days
The Financial Conduct Authority has begun to improve its turnaround times for approving key general insurance broking roles, bringing the average down to 92 days from 105 days in 2021.
Brokers hit as FCA authorisation sign-off lengthens to 237 days
The Financial Conduct Authority’s authorisation service for new brokers looking to trade general insurance business worsened up to the end of October 2022, a Freedom of Information request by Insurance Age has revealed.
FCA urges bosses to make Consumer Duty top personal priority in Dear CEO letter
Financial Conduct Authority leader Matt Brewis has written to general insurance businesses reminding them to embed the interests of customers into their firms’ culture and purpose.
Senior managers’ regulatory reform could heap extra costs on firms
Changes to the Senior Managers and Certification Regime could lead to extra regulatory costs, especially if the government pursues a major shake-up, experts have warned.
Shock survey results reveal broker ignorance on Consumer Duty is ‘a big concern’
The findings of a survey, which revealed that nearly half of brokers interviewed were not aware of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Consumer Duty rules, is a ‘big concern’, according to compliance experts.