SME
Aviva survey shows rise in uninsured SMEs
Aviva’s twice yearly SME Pulse survey of 500 UK SMEs has revealed an increase in the number of these businesses trading without insurance from 8% in June to 20% in December 2011.
New head of sales at PHP
The Private Health Partnership (PHP) has appointed Andrew Middleton as head of sales.
Axa survey finds SMEs pessimistic about profits
A survey of SMEs by Axa Commercial Lines has revealed that while hopes for an increase in turnover were strong expectations of profitability and plans for recruitment were less positive.
Taxman punishes SMEs while indulging big business
The Forum of Private Business has accused HMRC of indulging in the “harassment and mistreatment” of small business while arranging “sweetheart deals” with large companies.
Cameron's attack on H&S culture challenged by legal sector
David Cameron has vowed to “wage war” against the health and safety culture in Britain.
Reportage: Thinking big about smes
The difference between the small and the medium-sized businesses under the umbrella term SME can be very large and brokers need diverse tactics to target them both, explains Caitlin Morrison
The bottom line
Has a focus on the bottom line led to insurers and brokers in the SME sector knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing? City Slug asks
Products: broker feedback drives changes to Allianz motor trade policies
Allianz Commercial has revamped its motor trade policies following, it said, feedback from brokers.
Towergate restructures in wake of senior departures
Towergate is to form a new division dedicated to SME business in the wake of two senior departures.
Bluefin uses Axa delegated authority for PI book
Bluefin is to open a new office in Glasgow to handle PI and SME business that Axa Commercial Direct cannot write.
Towergate loses Your Insurance MD
The managing director of one of Towergate’s subsidiary companies has resigned.
Axa opens two new offices and hints at more to come
Axa Commercial Lines has officially opened new branches in Bristol and Newcastle.
Majority of SMEs are risk averse, survey finds
The majority of SMEs buy more than the minimum insurance cover but 30% are still willing to take a chance, a recent survey has found.
XL takes Allianz man to bolster Midlands operation
XL Group has made a new appointment to strengthen its Midlands underwriting team.
Video: high expectations at Broker Expo 2011
Insurance Age interviewed attendees on their expectations for the day at its flagship Broker Expo 2011 event where brokers go to do business.
Profits and growth at Ageas
Ageas Insurance has revealed a 16.8% rise in gross written premiums to £822.5m and an improved combined operating ratio of 99.8% for the first nine months of 2011, compared to 104.9% in the same period last year.
Stackhouse Poland buys Croydon-based broker
Stackhouse Poland has acquired Sutton Meears & Co for an undisclosed sum.
‘Strategic’ decision delays aggregator offering
The launch of a new aggregator due to hit the market early in 2012 has been delayed as part of a ‘strategic decision’.
In conversation with RSA: distinguishing from rivals in SME commercial
The SME commercial market remains one of the most highly competitive in the UK insurance space.
Allianz promotes its own to build executive team
Allianz Commercial has announced two executive appointments from within the company.
Power hour: what SMEs want
The SME space is much fought over, but what is it that this disparate group of businesses want from insurers and brokers, and what do brokers need from insurers in order to deliver now and in the future? Caitlin Morrison finds out
Zurich creates new underwriting role for SME
Zurich’s UK General Insurance business has appointed Russell Corbould-Warren to the newly created role of head of SME underwriting.
NIG hires from rivals to grow London SME book
NIG has made two senior appointments to its London office in a bid to secure a greater share of the London SME market.
Brokers split on SME business cover after riots
A survey by NIG has claimed that business confidence has fallen significantly among SMEs in the wake of the recent riots.