Schemes
Meet the MGA: Shape Underwriting
Mandy Hunt, managing director of Shape Underwriting, explains the logic behind rebranding the Clear MGA business; outlines its holistic approach to acquisitions; and pinpoints the importance of recruiting staff who understand collaboration, integrity and honesty.
Interview: Mike Crane, SME & Specialty director at Axa Commercial
In his first interview since starting at Axa Commercial as SME and specialty director this January, Mike Crane tells Insurance Age about his key message to brokers at the upcoming Biba Conference, what he has found at his new home and his plans for the…
Schemes and HNW help drive Q1 premium growth at Hiscox
Hiscox has hailed “very strong” schemes growth and double-digit expansion in art and private client business as the UK retail arm posted a 4.4% premium rise in the first quarter of 2025.
Addept enters legal expenses market with double launch
Addept Insurance Services has today announced the launch of the first of a new suite of legal expenses insurance products.
Ex-Hiscox HNW boss Holmes’ new broker employer revealed
Specialist Risk Group has recruited Hiscox’s former high net worth broker boss Nicola Holmes.
MGA adds Hiscox to non-standard property panel
NBS Underwriting has added A-rated capacity from Hiscox to its non-standard household product panel.
Hiscox aims to be insurer of choice on schemes as it targets double-digit growth
Hiscox has set its sights on being the insurer of choice on schemes business in its chosen sectors, and is targeting double-digit growth, according to head of schemes Natasha Pettet.
Ecclesiastical delivers major COR improvement with sub 80% in UK and Ireland
Ecclesiastical Insurance improved its combined operating significantly in the UK and Ireland last year as underwriting profits more than doubled.
Peach and Alan Boswell partner on complementary therapy scheme
Peach and Alan Boswell Group have struck their second partnership as the Top 100 Broker aims to grow its bespoke scheme for complementary therapists.
PIB CEO hails ‘milestone’ as it buys MGA
PIB Group has acquired specialist litigation insurance managing general agent Litica.
SRG starts 2025 buys with schemes broker
Specialist Risk Group has bought schemes specialist Brentacre Insurance in its first UK broker deal of the year.
MGA takes another Axa leader with CUO hire
Optio Group has appointed the former Axa director of schemes and delegated authorities Gary Head as chief underwriting officer, effective immediately.
Schemes growth planned as Brokerbility MD Dunn given group role at Clear
Brokerbility managing director John Dunn has been handed a new broader remit as part of the parent Clear Group’s efforts to grow its schemes business.
SSP Broker adds 10 insurer schemes in 2024 with 10 more planned this year
Managing director Martyn Mathews has targeted adding 10 insurer schemes onto SSP Broker this year, matching the achievement last year.
Organ plans to triple Jensten’s GWP over 3–4 years as refinancing gathers pace
Rob Organ, CEO of Jensten Group, is targeting £1.5bn in gross written premium within three to four years, more than triple what it has now, with a refinancing on the horizon.
Joel Markham to lead schemes at Axa as Head exits
Joel Markham has been promoted to Axa Commercial’s director of schemes, delegated authorities, financial lines and speciality, Insurance Age can reveal.
Commercial Express adds Irwell to panel of insurers
Managing general agent Commercial Express has partnered with Irwell Insurance which has joined its panel of insurers.
Review of the Year 2024: Axa UK’s Paul Tombs and Matt Field
The Axa UK duo of Paul Tombs and Matt Field reflect on award wins; the fall-out of the Markerstudy-Atlanta deal and the success of its partnership with Liverpool FC.
Axa Commercial boss Walker targets turnaround time for brokers
Axa Commercial is two thirds of the way through a technology transformation programme, and Commercial CEO Jon Walker is looking to shorten turnaround times in terms of risk appetite.
Ecclesiastical partners with Clear on local councils scheme
Ecclesiastical has teamed up with Clear Councils, part of Clear Group, adding the broker’s local councils insurance to its schemes book in an arrangement that will come in to force at the start of 2025.
Analysis: Placement strategies – are brokers turning the tables?
What is driving brokers’ decisions on which markets they use? While once it was insurers holding the aces, it now appears the boot is on the other foot, finds Rachel Gordon