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Interview: Nick Harris – listening and helping on the Gallagher Way

Nick Harris tells Insurance Age about returning to the UK market after a 14-year stint in Australia, why a transitioning market is “when really good brokers stand out”, and shares his key questions to staff after becoming UK and Ireland retail CEO at Gallagher.

By Emmanuel Kenning

Macbeth makes first deal in years buying Insurance Services Surrey

Macbeth has made its first purchase in almost four years with the acquisition of Guildford-based Insurance Services Surrey, its third ever buy.

By Rosie Simms

Northern Ireland tops table for account exec pay rises

Insurance account executives in Northern Ireland had the highest percentage pay rises in the UK last year, with London-based employees still having the top wage but getting the smallest rate increase, according to a survey by Reed.

By Emmanuel Kenning

Lords Committee ‘unconvinced’ on FCA name and shame proposal

The House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee is unconvinced on the FCA’s name and shame plans as it branded the consultation an “abject failure” and urged if concerns have not been addressed in the regulator’s second consultation the proposals should not go ahead.

By Rosie Simms

Allianz UK ‘lucky’ to have Phuong Ly, according to Australian insurance specialists

Australian insurance experts are positive on Allianz Commercial UK’s recent appointment of Phuong Ly telling Insurance Age he is a “great addition”.

By Rosie Simms

Adler Fairways completes first buy of 2025

Adler Fairways has purchased Giles Insurance Consultants, based in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, its first acquisition of the year.

By Rosie Simms

Allianz UK reveals detected fraud up 10% to £157m

Allianz UK has confirmed it uncovered 33,027 instances of insurance fraud worth a total of £157.24m in 2024, up 10% on 2023.

By Emmanuel Kenning

Howden ‘absolutely not done’ with buying in the UK

Howden is targeting £10bn of revenue by 2030, having broken through the £3bn barrier last year, and is keeping its eye on the ball for organic growth and buying in the UK, according to CEO David Howden.

By Emmanuel Kenning

UK commercial rates still falling by 5% – Marsh

UK insurance rates fell by 5% in the final quarter of last year, maintaining the speed of decline seen in Q3, according to Marsh, with financial and professional lines as well as cyber seeing the steepest declines.

By Emmanuel Kenning

Insight

Analysis: Fortune favours the bold – Is 2025 a ‘golden opportunity’ to join the M&A bandwagon?

With deals at an all-time high – but shrinking in size – and with the established consolidators becoming more picky, could 2025 be the perfect time for smaller brokers to start buying? Jonathan Swift mulls the hypothesis.

By Jonathan Swift

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.

By Emmanuel Kenning

CEO Dave Clapp sets £400m target for The Broker Investment Group

The Broker Investment Group is aiming for 10 deals this year and double-digit organic growth to help reach its new target of £400m of gross written premium by the end of 2028, Insurance Age can reveal.

By Emmanuel Kenning

Analysis: As we enter 2025 let’s ask one big question: ‘What will Marsh do next?’

Gallagher, Aon, Ardonagh and Howden have all had a busy 12 months in terms of consolidating their positions within the UK’s top five insurance brokers table. Their fellow intermediary powerhouse Marsh, however, has been comparatively quiet. Jonathan Swift considers whether this is likely to change any time soon.