Construction
QBE’s Fitzgerald on doubling in the regions, and what comes next
In the past three years, QBE has doubled its gross written premium in the regions and is not taking its “foot off the growth”, UK regions director Andy Fitzgerald tells Insurance Age, promising consistency for brokers.
Meet the MGA: Optio Underwriting
With an aim to be the most admired global specialty MGA, Optio Underwriting group CEO Deepak Soni outlines how it attracts top talent, plans to mix organic growth with M&A and discusses the importance of having a PE backer that understands the subtle…
Iprism grows again with a 21% boost in 2024
Managing general agent Iprism Underwriting Agency grew 21% in the year to 30 June 2024, building on the 16% achieved the year before, and is eyeing up further expansion in 2025.
Zurich targets £250m of GWP after extending relationship with MGA
Zurich UK has extended its capacity agreement with Plum Underwriting for a further five years, with ambitions to reach £250m GWP over the term.
Brown & Brown buys Edinburgh-based MGA
Brown & Brown Europe has bought niche construction sector property and complex liability programmes specialist Premier Commercial.
Bristol regional review: Strong outlook with ‘vibrant economy’
Insurance experts in Bristol have a strong outlook about growth in the city as they highlight its “vibrant economy”, with investments to provide both insurers and brokers opportunities, Rosie Simms explores.
Howden and Aviva join up on renewable energy
Howden’s power and renewable energy team has launched a UK quote and bind platform.
London market wholesale broker launches construction division
Evolin Broking has launched a construction division with the appointment of Steve Downing as head of construction.
Broking Success: Bletchley’s Angela Irvine
Angela Irvine, sales director of Bletchley, outlines how the Birmingham-based broker is looking to build on its solid foundations whilst its independent status is unlikely to change anytime soon.
AbbeyAutoline buys Coleraine-based Wallace Insurance Brokers
AbbeyAutoline has bought the customer book of business of fellow Northern Ireland firm Wallace Insurance Brokers in its third deal of the year.
Konsileo seals £8m fundraise
Top 100 insurance broker Konsileo has completed an £8m fundraise to accelerate its expansion across the UK, Insurance Age can reveal.
FCA bans broker and issues £1.1m fine for misusing insurer funds
Leigh Mackey, formerly sole director of closed broker Inspire Insurance Services, has been banned by the Financial Conduct Authority and fined £1.1m after using insurer funds to support the firm’s operating costs and pay for personal living expenses.
Lloyd’s start-up buys regional broker following PE investment
Start-up Lloyd’s broker SRT & Partners has acquired regional corporate player Read Hunt following investment by BP Marsh.
Broking Success: Service is key
Jamie Coyne, managing director of Fenchurch Insurance Brokers, and Carol Bridgland, associate director, look to hit the £20m GWP milestone in 2025, with the broker having grown quickly in the past two and a half years.
Chubb launches construction industry practice
Chubb has launched a construction industry practice in the UK and Ireland ready to trade locally with brokers across its branch network as it also unveiled a new product for the sector.
The general insurance sector in Glasgow – a dynamic market thriving in competitive times
As with many markets Scotland’s general insurance hub Glasgow has seen consolidation but Martin Friel notes both brokers and insurers are buoyant about the opportunities, with local empowerment key to success.
Body cameras improve claims dispute times and pricing – Axa’s Barnett
Body cameras help decrease the length of claims disputes involving brokers according to Dougie Barnett, director of customer risk management and midmarket at Axa UK.
Underinsurance: The silent threat to UK homeowners and how brokers can help combat it
Insurance brokers are well-positioned to collaborate with insurers to combat the underinsurance gap in the property market. Stuart Heath, head of delegated property at Tokio Marine HCC offers his four point plan as to how they can do this.
Meet the MGA: Rokstone
Ian Anson, MD of Rokstone, highlights talent that passes the ‘BBQ test’, an entrepreneurial culture and deep relationships with capacity providers as key to it achieving its goal of stretching the boundaries of what an MGA can offer.
Meet the MGA: Phoenix Specialty
A new entrant into the construction insurance market, Tim James, managing director at Phoenix, explains how it is responding to the wide variety of risks that exist within the market in the UK today, with eyes on global expansion in the future.
Avid targets £100m GWP by end of 2025
Managing director of Avid Insurance Services, Stephen Gibson, is targeting £100m of gross written premium by the end of 2025, growing from around £75m to £80m this year.