Consolidation
Biba 2012: FCA uncertainty could damage broking sector
Uncertainty around what the incoming Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) wants from the broking industry is causing the greatest concern in the market and greater clarity must be given before damage is done.
Tug of war over Cobra fuels speculation
Cobra Holdings’ sale could create lucrative opportunities for rival networks
Where now for Groupama et al?
So we’ve got three insurers up for sale, namely RBSI, Brit and now Groupama. Consolidation in the insurer space has been predicted for some time now but I don’t think people expected it to happen like this – more deals done behind closed doors than…
Scottish broker makes Edinburgh acquisition
Central Insurance has completed its second acquisition of the year with the purchase of Edinburgh-based Castle Cairn Insurance Brokers.
Private equity hungry for insurance investment
More than two thirds (68%) of private equity houses plan to invest in the UK financial services market in the coming year, particularly in insurance and banking, according to a Grant Thornton report.
The shopping spree is over
The golden years of mergers and acquisitions are over. Now it’s time to manage the debts, says Paul Upton
Reich makes second acquisition in as many months
Reich Insurance has completed its second acquisition in two months, with the purchase of Glasgow-based Surenet Agency.
Giles weighs in with cash offer for CBG
Giles Insurance Brokers has made a £5.1m cash offer for CBG Group.
Acquisitions on the rise
“We’ve seen more activity this year than last. Everybody I speak to wants to buy books of business, get in new teams or do small acquisitions. There is certainly the appetite out there for buying up businesses”
Towergate kicks off acquisition spree with modest purchase
Towergate Insurance has purchased Tunbridge Wells-based BWA (Insurance Services) for an undisclosed sum.
Invicta announces latest acquisitions
Invicta Insurance Services is set to complete it latest acquisitions which will add 2,500 customers and over £1m GWP to its portfolio.
Personal lines exits highlight need to avoid reliance on single insurer
Reduced insurer appetite in the personal lines market should serve as a timely reminder to brokers to avoid the pitfalls of placing all their eggs in one basket.
CBG remains confident despite fall in profit and revenue
CBG’s results for 2010 have revealed a drop in pre-tax profits to £842,000 (2009: £1.03m) with revenue also falling by just over £1.2m to £7.7m (2009: £8.96m).
Management - broking success: step forward to look back
Emmanuel Kenning meets Duncan Macbeth of Macbeth Scott & Co as he prepares for retirement after more than 30 years as a broker and casts his eye over the insurance industry.
Power hour - future of broking round table London: Talking heads
The biggest names in the industry come together to debate the key issues facing brokers at the moment, from regulation and rates to consolidation and distribution. Martin Friel reports.
Agenda: Hopes for the New Year
Ten years have passed since the dawn of the new millennium. The predictions of economic meltdown because of the millennium bug were false but we have seen crises that have had enormous impact on the global economy: 9/11, the crash of the dot-com bubble…
Regional review: Way out west
An area that sometimes falls off the radar, Louise Meeson surveys brokers and insurers in Wales and the South West to discover many have been shielded from the worst of the economic crisis.
Entire Choicequote workforce in redundancy consultation
The entire staff and management team at Choicequote have entered a redundancy consultation period just two and a half years after the broker was bought by Groupama.
2010 review: A year of living cautiously
The economy grew, rival political parties unexpectedly started working together and personal lines rates even hardened, although plenty of surprises and setbacks meant that 2010 was far from plain sailing, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.
Analysis of top 100 brokers reveals market share increase
The UK broking market has weathered the economic storm well with the top 100 brokers managing to increase their market share, according to Insurance Age's 2010 Top 100 Independent Brokers supplement.
How to complete an MBO: Successful successions
MBOs provide a fantastic opportunity for management teams to get a taste of acquisition activity in a familiar market. Mike Pawson gives guidance on how to ensure the deal runs smoothly.
Health news: Rockbridge deal underlines CBG's healthcare focus
CBG Group has acquired Rockbridge Healthcare as part of its growth strategy in the healthcare sector.
NIG business to be exempt from further RBSI office closures
Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance (RBSI) has assured brokers that NIG will not be impacted by recent office closure plans.
HSB raids Powerplace for South East broker development exec
Specialist engineering insurer HSB Engineering Insurance has hired Bryony Glover to the position of development executive for London and the South East region.