Articles by Andrew Pearce
L&G broker director sets sights on motor market entry
Legal & General's (L&G) broker and intermediary director Mark Holweger has set his sights on entering the motor market in partnership with brokers later this year.
L&G enjoys strong COR improvement
Legal and General (L&G) has revealed that its combined operating ratio for the first half of 2013 improved markedly to 81%, from the 91% recorded for the same period last year.
Esure records 16.9% post-tax profit rise to £44.3m
Esure Group saw its post-tax profit jump 16.9% to £44.3m for the first half of 2013, up on the £37.9m recorded for the same period last year.
QBE's Smith returns to RSA
RSA has unveiled former QBE director Finlay Smith as UK commercial underwriting and pricing director.
Private investigator in Lloyd's of London blue-chip hacking claim
A private investigator who was jailed last year for his role in the blue-chip hacking storm has claimed that insurers at Lloyd's of London were among his clients, it has been reported.
In-depth: Talent spotting
With the jobs market for young people in the doldrums, the insurance industry has huge numbers of applicants for trainee schemes, but it can be difficult to recognise the candidates with most potential. Andrew Pearce investigates how to coax out the raw…
Power hour: Motoring along
With falling motor premiums, the EU Gender Directive and telematics, personal lines brokers are facing some big changes, but there are opportunities as well. Andrew Pearce reports
ABI’s flood solution gets the nod
Government strikes provisional deal over Flood Re
Aviva to close 13 regional branches
Insurer offers additional onsite underwriters to brokers in affected areas
Ageas UK CEO Watson commits to motor schemes market
Ageas UK CEO Andy Watson has admitted that the insurer is watching motor "very closely" as prices and profitability continue to fall.
Bluefin takes on former Marsh director
Bluefin Insurance has named former Marsh regional development director Rachel Phillips as business development and proposition director for its corporate division.
Ageas UK enjoys 17.3% net profit rise
Ageas UK reported a net profit increase of 17.3% to £49.1m for the first half of 2013, up on the £41.9m posted for the same period of 2012.
Miller takes on second Paragon man in two months
Miller has taken on its second former Paragon International man in two months.
Lark completes first "significant acquisition" since Groupama MBO
Lark Group has completed its first "significant acquisition" since its management buyout (MBO) from Groupama with the capture of Surrey-based HMT Insurance Brokers.
RSA's UK arm swings back into underwriting profit
RSA's UK operations swung back to making a £73m underwriting profit for the first half of 2013, reversing a £10m loss posted for the same period last year.
Insurance companies implicated in use of rogue private investigators
Ten insurance companies have been implicated in the use of the “rogue element of the private investigation industry”, according to a report from the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca).
Towergate confirms capture of Ellis Bates and crane hire business
Towergate Insurance has confirmed the acquisitions of Ellis Bates Insurance Brokers and the crane hire insurance business of Senior Wright Insurance Services.
Alan Boswell Insurance Advisers moves to new Peterborough HQ
Newly-rebranded Alan Boswell Insurance Advisers has moved to a new office in Peterborough.
Axa makes double appointment for Reading branch
Axa Commercial Lines and Personal Intermediary has made a double appointment for its Reading branch.
AmTrust strikes £56m deal for Sagicor
AmTrust Financial Services is to buy Sagicor Europe (SEL) and Sagicor at Lloyd's for £56m.
LV boss blames investment return and motor for profit drop
LV general insurance managing director John O'Roarke blamed falling investment returns and plummeting car insurance rates after the provider's operating profit dropped by a third.
Gallaghers wins race for Giles
Arthur J Gallagher has won the race for Giles, Insurance Age understands.
Brokers riled by consumer credit licence interim charge
Controversy has engulfed newly-announced consumer credit licence (CCL) charges which could see brokers stung twice for fee payments.
LV operating profit slips to £43m amid "difficult" motor market
LV saw its operating profit slip to £43m for the first half of 2013, down on the £62m posted for the same period of 2012 for general insurance.