Regulation
Tributes paid following the passing of ‘one of the great characters’, Mike Slack
Former British Insurance Brokers’ Association board member and managing director of specialist motor trade intermediary Road Runner, Mike Slack, has died.
Blog: The compliance threat to M&A
Jill Hambley, managing director of Insurance Compliance Solutions, tackles the compliance basics smaller brokers must keep front of mind before listing a business for a potential sale to make sure any deal doesn’t end up on the scrapheap.
FCA issues restrictions on Scottish broker because of personal lines premium concerns
The Financial Conduct Authority has taken action to stop Arthur Temlett, trading as Abacus Insurance Consultants, from carrying out any regulated activities, including acting as an insurance broker.
Broking Success: Growing regional presence
Financial Affairs CEO Laurence O’Connor looks to grow the business ten fold three years ahead of schedule, after making four acquisitions in 18 months.
FCA targets 400 headcount as it continues Leeds office expansion
The Financial Conduct Authority has expanded its Leeds regional office, with 100 more people expected to join this year.
Economic Secretary Emma Reynolds supports calls for proportionate regulation
At the British Insurance Brokers’ Association manifesto launch Economic Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds stated regulation “must be proportionate”.
Manifesto 2025: A ‘golden opportunity’, says Biba
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has unveiled its 2025 Manifesto, titled ‘Partnering to deliver value’, labelling the year as a golden opportunity on regulation.
Premium finance: industry welcomes Supreme Court appeal and hopes for clarity
As evidenced by differing actions by premium finance specialists in recent months there are differing views in the market, but the hope remains that a Supreme Court case on motor finance, to be heard on 1-3 April, can help to bring clarity.
Blog: What’s in store for 2025
With 2025 already here, Rosie Simms looks at key themes that will run through the year and why it is important to stay ahead on acquisitions, AI and regulation.
FCA insurance related fines total £1.1m in 2024
The Financial Conduct Authority handed out £1.11m in fines to two general insurance broking individuals in 2024, as firms achieved the second year in a row of zero fines.
Somerset Bridge and DLG breach Private Motor Insurance Order
Somerset Bridge and Direct Line Group have both received a letter from the Competition and Markets Authority for breaches of the Private Motor Insurance Market Investigation Order 2015.
Review of the Year 2024: SSP’s Martyn Mathews
Martyn Mathews, MD of SSP Broker reflects on disappointing vote-winning rhetoric, renaming the NEC the Mathews Arena, and asks whether the FCA might roll back a little on some of the principles of Consumer Duty and Fair Value
Sicsic FOI uncovers insurance firms’ £2.7m S166 bill
Insurers and insurance intermediaries paid a total of £2.7m for Financial Conduct Authority-commissioned skilled persons reviews in the financial year 2023/24, according to a Freedom of Information request by Sicsic Advisory.
FCA reveals review findings of first annual Consumer Duty board reports
The Financial Conduct Authority has set out five areas for improvements and five good aspects having reviewed the first annual Consumer Duty board reports from 180 firms.
FCA not seeking further headcount boost, says CEO Rathi
The Financial Conduct Authority is not “anticipating further significant growth” in headcount with the figure having risen from around 4,000 in 2020 to just over 5,000 today, CEO Nikhil Rathi has confirmed to the Treasury Committee.
Close Brothers to launch digital commission disclosure consent solution
Close Brothers Premium Finance has announced plans to launch a new digital solution to help brokers fulfill their commission disclosure consent obligations.
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.
Review of the Year 2024: Allianz Commercial’s Nick Hobbs
Allianz Commercial chief distribution officer Nick Hobbs is intrigued by Aviva’s Probitas deal, bemoans the continued presence of underinsurance and hopes that the term ‘insurer service’ is consigned to the clickbait dustbin.
Review of the Year 2024: iprism’s Ian Lloyd
Ian Lloyd, CEO of iprism, reflects on integrating the MGA’s first acquisition, the over-use of the term AI and how he might shake the curse of ‘dad dancing’ by appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.
Brokers raised concerns to Biba on initial FCA ‘name and shame’ proposals
Brokers raised concerns to the British Insurance Brokers’ Association about the Financial Conduct Authority’s original transparency proposals, the trade body has confirmed to Insurance Age.
FCA makes “significant changes” to ‘name and shame’ proposals
The Financial Conduct Authority is making four “significant changes” to its initial transparency proposals labelled ‘name and shame’.
Investments bring downward pressure on profits at Bridge for 2024
Bridge Insurance Brokers has reported a drop in profits for the year ended 31 March 2024 as turnover fell 3% year-on-year.
MPs and peers slam “incompetent at best, dishonest at worst” FCA
A cross-party group of MPs and peers has hit out at the Financial Conduct Authority and demanded substantial changes after its call for evidence found the regulator “is seen as incompetent at best, dishonest at worst”.
Blog: What implications could the motor finance scandal have on insurance brokers?
As the industry shoots itself in the foot. Again. Matthew Maxwell Scott, founder and executive director of the Association of Consumer Support Organisations explores how the motor finance scandal fallout might see brokers caught in the cross-fire.