Interview
Granite moving onto broker software houses
Niche and non-standard motor specialist Granite Underwriting will be rolling out products on at least one software house this year, managing director Alistair Rose told Insurance Age.
Polaris MD Banga on growth with MGAs, AI and initiatives to expand digital trading
“There had been this perception that imarket is only for insurers. It’s great to see four MGAs now actively trading on it,” Polaris managing director Vivek Banga has told Insurance Age.
Newbie News: Senior-led personal touch – Hardings Insurance Brokers
Tom Butler and Martin Billington have launched Hardings Insurance Brokers, Insurance Age can reveal, as the pair explain how they are looking to build a senior-led trusted broker in its space achieving organic growth through “cold hard prospecting”.
Axa’s door “fully open” to new DA and schemes business – Markham
Joel Markham, Axa Commercial’s director of schemes, delegated authorities, financial lines and speciality, has outlined its pipeline in DA business remains strong; whilst noting its investment in technology means it is more “nimble” and less frictional…
Interview: Accelerant boss Radke on seeking broker input to help sector unlock value
“We would love an opportunity to start a dialogue with a number of UK brokers,” Accelerant Risk Exchange CEO Jeff Radke has told Insurance Age stressing the platform is not just looking towards “big, giant” brokers.
Regional open market book key growth area for 2026 – Hiscox’s Walker
Stewart Walker, broker development director at Hiscox UK, has highlighted up to four large schemes deals for the first half of the year, and how the regional open market book is a key growth area.
Broking Success: Building up – Josh Samrai, ABA Insurance
Josh Samrai, managing director of ABA Insurance, looks to become the go to insurance broker in the construction industry while training up the next generation.
Bravo targets reseeding the industry and adds insurers to digital trader
Bravo Networks is set to add two insurers to its digital trader platform by then end of the month and has highlighted there is a gap in the market to reseed the industry to make “independent regional brokering thrive”.
Commercial Express’ Pritchard on opportunities with brokers in MGU model move
Managing director of Commercial Express, Duncan Pritchard, shares its broker agency, digital platform and product expansion plans as the business moves to a managing general underwriter model after teaming up with Fortegra.
Interview: Allianz’s chief distribution officer Nick Hobbs
Nick Hobbs, chief distribution officer at Allianz UK, tells Insurance Age about the importance of the provider’s regional footprint now including broker hubs, the challenges of the soft market and its MGA appetite as well as the ongoing investment in…
Cullum and McCaffrey on Minority Broker Partnerships’ aim to hit £100m GWP by end of 2026
Launched without much fanfare, Minority Broker Partnerships reunites Peter Cullum and James McCaffrey into the intermediary investment space. However, as the pair tell Jonathan Swift the market has changed since their last attempt - with younger brokers…
Broking Success: Cass Stephens MD James Cass
Cass Stephens managing director James Cass explains how the broker is targeting the specialist care and park home sectors for growth as the business celebrates its 60th anniversary, and highlights the importance of cyber insurance for SMEs.
Interview: Meet the Biba drone scheme providers who want to double the business and crack the US market
With 80,000 UK policyholders and a renewed Biba scheme under their belts, Coverdrone leaders Phil and Andrew Heath are bullish about doubling the business over the next two years and have long-term international expansion plans.
Fenchurch boss highlights importance of risk education and opportunities for 2026
Fenchurch Insurance Brokers managing director Jamie Coyne plans to hit the £27m GWP mark in 2026 shifting away from smaller premium accounts, as the broker targets expansion in construction and sees opportunities in food and drink, and manufacturing.
Inflexion and Ascend look to build ‘home where best brokers want to be’
Dominic Clark, investment director at Inflexion has targeted building the home the best brokers want to join, after buying Ascend Broking Group.
Robins Row boss reveals details of buying liquidated broker’s renewal rights
Peter Evelyn, managing director of Robins Row, has shared how the deal to acquire MPI Brokers’ renewal rights came to be and revealed the size of the book.
Interview: Phil Barton and Ewan MacDonald, Partners&
Partners& leaders Phil Barton and Ewan MacDonald on phase three of the broker as it hits profitability ahead of schedule and plans to near double in the next three years.
KGM boss doubles down on Zurich deal, eyeing ‘never-ending conveyor belt of opportunities’
Zurich has remained the sole capacity provider of KGM, as Ciaran Astin, managing director of the MGA, has targeted ramping up to £500m by 2030 through a “never-ending conveyor belt of opportunities”.
Interview: Tigi Singhateh and Adrian Best, Invicta Insurance Services
Since coming on board in 2022, Invicta Insurance Services’ leaders have doubled the size of the business, despite having to deal with a fraudster. With the now ex-employee jailed and the case firmly behind them, they are targeting doubling again.
Fuzzy’s Bilney targets ‘brave’ £10m GWP goal and launching a training school
Liz Bilney, CEO of Fuzzy, has set a “brave” target of £10m gross written premium, and outlined plans to continue staff development by creating an in-house training school.
Start-up broker Pelican’s MD praises ‘transformative’ Aviva support programme
Chris Braniff, managing director of Pelican Insured, has made changes to all of the broker’s processes following taking part in Aviva’s Future Leaders Programme.