SME
Meet the MGA: Burns & Wilcox UK
Stuart Kilpatrick, managing director, Burns & Wilcox UK explains how creating an empowering environment and building long-term relationships with partners have been key to its success
In Depth: How broker networks are embracing data and new technology
There have been a glut of recent data and technology solutions launched into the network space. Martin Friel explores how important these developments are when it comes to attracting new members.
Clegg Gifford launches digital platform to give brokers access to Lloyd’s capacity
Clegg Gifford has partnered with digital agency MagiClick UK with the ambition of giving UK high street brokers “improved accessibility [to] Lloyd's capacity” through new e-trading platform Six.
Cobra CEO Tedstone aims to hit £1bn by 2025
The boss of broking network Cobra has said that it has identified a pipeline of 700 potential ‘unicorns’ as it seeks new members to meet its target of £1bn of premium by the end of 2025.
CEO Hardie anticipating Jensten sale within 18 months
“At some point in the next 12-18 months I think we will have a different investor in the business with or without Livingbridge remaining,” Jensten Group CEO Alistair Hardie has told Insurance Age.
Allianz Commercial boss Simon McGinn to leave
Allianz Commercial CEO Simon McGinn is to leave the business on 1 July, the insurer announced today.
Aviva posts 13% GWP hike in Q1
Aviva grew general insurance premiums in the UK by 13% in the first quarter of 2023 as its combined operating ratio also improved.
Aviva boss David Martin on empowering branches for brokers and delivering growth
Aviva delivered 200 authority and licence changes for underwriters dealing with brokers in just the first quarter of 2023, as it pushed ahead on empowering branches, managing director of UKGI distribution & SME David Martin has told Insurance Age.
Profile: A new lens – and an eye for opportunity
With a laser-like focus on growth, Zurich retail boss David Nichols is keen to bring a new lens to the insurer’s offering and deliver for brokers.
Manchester, Liverpool and the buoyant North West are under the spotlight
As we put Covid-19 behind us, Sophie Locke-Cooper discovers brokers in the North West are positive about the prospects of the local market despite worldwide economic challenges such as inflation and UK-wide issues such as recruitment and talent retention.
Allianz to help brokers with underinsurance concerns
Brokers are requesting additional insurer support on valuations of businesses including SMEs according to director of digital trading at Allianz UK, Helen Bryant.
Nearly half of SMEs expect 2023 revenue rise – Premium Credit
New research by Premium Credit revealed that nearly five times more SMEs expect their businesses to grow than shrink in the year ahead.
Cowbell enters UK cyber market targeting SME brokers
US cyber specialist Cowbell has entered the UK market with plans to sell its products exclusively through brokers.
Double-digit growth and profit rises at Iprism after MBO
Iprism Underwriting Agency grew turnover by 15.3% to £9.44m in the year ended 30 June 2022 with profits rising even more.
Analysis: The powerful surge in record-breaking tradesman premiums
Insurance Age unpacks the impact of inflation, changing customer needs and rising demand along with the shifting insurer appetite in tradesman insurance.
Aqueous signs three-year capacity deal with Allianz Insurance
Aqueous Underwriting plans to push on SME business having secured new capacity in an initial three-year deal with Allianz Insurance.
Zurich boosts Bristol, Southampton and Leeds in regional push
Zurich UK has opened new offices in Bristol and Leeds, as well as adding underwriting expertise in Southampton, expanding its regional network to 10, Insurance Age can reveal.
Burns & Wilcox looks towards M&As, recruitment and online SMEs to bolster growth
The managing general agent and underwriting business has plans to expand its team, and is open to mergers and acquisitions as a tool for growth during 2023.
FCA opens survey on SME thresholds for FOS insurance complaints
The Financial Conduct Authority has launched a review on shifting the thresholds for SMEs to be able to refer complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service, as it revealed there have been 1,835 insurance complaints since the rules came into force on 1…
In depth: Why resilience is key to an holistic risk management solution
While overseeing risk continues to be part of the insurance conversation, Martin Friel discovers there is a greater understanding that protecting a business is less about focusing on particular incidents – and more about its resiliency as a whole.
The stats: The only way is up - Q4’s commercial premiums continue to rise
Businesses are yet again facing more costly cover with the Acturis Commercial Broking Index revealing increases across the board, reports Rachel Gordon.
Aviva’s Winslow insists ‘we can do more’ to return broker service to pre-2019 levels
With rates continuing to rise, Adam Winslow, CEO of Aviva UK & Ireland general insurance has stressed that it can do more when helping brokers through the challenging market.
Opinion: Limited or unreliable information can lead to underinsurance
Brokers need to work with policyholders to push for better quality and more frequent surveys to combat underinsurance, argues Paul Mayer, valuations manager at Sedgwick.
Thin end of the wedge – Could an FCA property commissions crackdown extend to all SME products?
Could the government’s plan to ban insurance commissions being taken by landlords, managing agents and freeholders on buildings insurance be extended to other lines? Saxon East looks at what might happen if this proves to be the start of something more…