Consolidators
Is 2011 set to be the year of the start-up or the consolidator?
The news that Towergate had lost a pre-action disclosure application in the High Court and been ordered to pay £17,000 in costs to Lorica Insurance Brokers came shortly after the announcement that the consolidator’s deal with Advent had created a £90m…
Reportage: Facing up to networks
With networks increasing in popularity, Emmanuel Kenning recounts their development and looks to the future of this crucial market sector.
Profile: Hidden depths
CCV’s Michael Rea may not shout about it but he’s certainly made his mark at the consolidator. He talks to Martin Friel about his appetite for aquisition, the prospect of flotation and working for an industry ‘personality’
Editor's comment - January 2011
Here we go again. Another year, another set of woes. The economy has only improved slightly, premium rates still show no sign of real hardening and insurers still seem hell bent on self-sacrifice in the name of growth. I feel for you brokers, I really do…
Giles makes record buy despite fall in results
Giles has made the largest acquisition in its history despite experiencing a drop in turnover and earnings for 2010.
Interview: In perfect focus
With sharp intelligence, good humour and unique perspective, industry consultant Clare Ryder shares her thoughts with Martin Friel about where the market has been and where it needs to go next.
The PB Interview - Tim Ryan: Local hero
Andrew Tjaardstra meets Tim Ryan in Ipswich, where he is fighting hard against the recession and the force of the consolidators.
James Hallam undergoes a 'lucky' rebrand
The holding company of James Hallam Insurance Brokers has undergone a rebrand as the group positions itself to make further investments in the broking market.
Lloyd's hopes to boost market share by 'getting out to regions'
Lloyd's new regional manager of UK and Ireland, Keith Stern, has revealed plans to target regional brokers in a bid to boost market share.
Agenda: That elusive crock of gold
The consolidation of the retail broking sector started in 1998 with the creation of Towergate but gathered pace in early 2000 through to 2008. In that period, some £3.6bn of commercial business was acquired, which equates to 25% of the total commercial…
Oval wins out of court settlement against former employees
The latest consolidator enforcement of restrictive covenants has seen Oval agree an out of court settlement with two former employees.
All quiet on the North-western front?
The healthy competition between its two dominant cities, Manchester and Leeds, makes the North-west insurance market anything but quiet. Martin Friel profiles some of the region's key players
Interview: Breaking the insurer mould
Groupama sits somewhere in the middle in terms of how it presents itself to brokers - as both a composite and a specialist. Allison Andrews explains to Martin Friel how the insurer's realistic approach maintains a balanced service.
New government: Coalition consequences
The new government has already announced the end of the Financial Services Authority and an Emergency Budget full of spending cuts and tax rises. Emmanuel Kenning looks at the implications for insurance brokers.
The PB interview - Bill Cooper: Bright light in the gloom
Andrew Tjaardstra meets Bill Cooper, managing director for insurance in the financial institutions division at Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets. Despite being cautious about prospects for brokers as the UK's economic malaise continues, the firm is very much…
Polly C
Polly loves a divisive figure and, quite frankly, the insurance industry could do with more of them. There is no denying that the now infamous Gio Compario is the aggregators' answer to Marmite and Polly was pleased to learn that the gregarious tenor had…
Endorphin launch backs SMEs with consolidator alternative
Layton Blackham founder, Chris Blackham, has formed a boutique investment house to offer brokers a "realistic financial alternative to the consolidator route".
Moorhouse targets £5m GWP broker acquisition
Welsh broker Moorhouse has announced that it is looking to complement its organic growth with the acquisition of an insurance broker up to £5m gross written premium (GWP).
Results news: 'Admirable' performance as Towergate rates stay put
Towergate executive chairman, Peter Cullum, has claimed that the company has refused to follow the market's "kamikaze" approach to rates.
Biba news: 'Unbelievable change' afoot
Towergate chief executive, Peter Cullum, has predicted that the UK is set for two years of "unbelievable change" under the new coalition Government with the economy and regulation set to top the agenda.
The PB Interview: Riding out the storm
Andy Homer, chief executive of Towergate, tells Andrew Tjaardstra how the company adapted to the tough economic climate by learning more about corporate finance and taking some hard decisions.
Regional Review: The Scottish scene
Like its people, the Scottish insurance market is proud to have its own identity - self-sufficient but forming part of the UK. Martin Friel reports from north of the border.
Fortis restructure forms specialist trading teams
The insurer has introduced broker trading teams
AR vehicle launched to drive more independent start-ups
Lyndon Wood says brokers are frustrated with consolidation