Articles by Emmanuel Kenning
Jensten buys largest Coversure franchise in Midlands deal
Jensten Group has signed up to buy Coversure Midlands, the largest in its franchise network.
Gallagher partners with HSBC bank in business insurance launch
Gallagher is working with HSBC UK providing insurance services to the bank’s commercial clients, the pair have confirmed.
MGA capacity backer Accelerant to switch back to private status
US-headquartered Accelerant, a major player in the UK managing general agents market, is returning to private ownership after floating on the New York Stock Exchange last year.
Willis Networks promotes Norledge to MD as Read exits
Willis Networks has appointed Lynne Norledge as managing director and Mark Cobham as deputy MD, Insurance Age can reveal.
Jason Storah on Aviva walking away on pricing, but not from brokers
Aviva’s commercial book shrank year-on-year, but only “marginally” in the heartlands of brokers’ traditional business, UK and Ireland general insurance CEO Storah told Insurance Age.
Aviva boosts UK operating profit and trims COR in H1
Aviva has posted a more than 40% increase in UK operating profit for the first half of 2026, coming in at £603m, pointing to “maintaining disciplined trading” across its portfolio “despite areas of market softening”.
Biba renews member Renovation Plan scheme
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has renewed its member scheme Renovation Plan, part of Howden, for properties undergoing renovation work.
Heatwave and drought – Swiss Re boss urges adaptation
“Insurance helps households and businesses recover, while pricing risk can inform decisions about where to invest. But it cannot make up for avoidable damage. This can only be achieved through reducing the risk itself through careful adaptation.”
Biba heads to new HQ
The British Insurance Broker’s Association is moving to new offices staying within the Square Mile of the City of London, Insurance Age can reveal.
QuestGates makes second purchase in two months
QuestGates has bought Richard Hartley Partnership, a specialist claims provider focused on complex losses in the power and construction sectors, just weeks after snapping up Manchester-based Howell Wild.
Bspoke adds Cadle and Biggs in broker facing roles
Bspoke Group has appointed Jim Cadle as head of distribution and Ryan Biggs as business development manager, to support growth across its commercial and delegated authority divisions.
CII confirms 53 new chartered broker individuals in first half of 2026
The Chartered Insurance Institute awarded chartered status to 53 brokers in the first half of the year, among 195 insurance professionals that achieved the status.
Seventeen grows with Titan
Seventeen Group has bought Putney-based commercial broker Titan Insurance Services.
Insurtech in five-strong FCA innovation and scale-up cohort
Insurtech Urban Jungle has joined the Financial Conduct Authority’s scale-up unit, with the watchdog promising tailored support to help it innovate, navigate regulation and grow sustainably.
Brown & Brown boss Barrett Brown resigns and to exit in 2027
P. Barrett Brown, executive vice-president and former president of the retail segment, has resigned from Brown & Brown and will leave at the end of July 2027, the US-headquartered broker has confirmed.
Allianz joins Sky Protect home insurance panel ‘completing an expert line-up’
Allianz UK has joined the panel for broker Sky Protect’s home insurance offering, sitting alongside Axa and Ageas.
QBE FOI reveals solar panel fires increasing at more than double the rate of installations
The rate of solar panel fires is rising faster than the pace of installations, up 133% in recent years compared to a 52% increase in new kit, according to research by QBE.
French new entrant buys portfolio of UK firms
French broking and mortgage group Odealim has bought a Leicester-based portfolio of firms including Rhino Trade Insurance, Rhino Home Protect, Rhino Protect, Vantage Fee Protect, Quest and ICPA.
Ripe reveals deal costs and 21% turnover growth
Digital managing general agent Ripe Thinking spent £22.8m on a pair of deals last year as turnover and operating profits rose.
Renters’ Rights Act strengthens brokers’ role as trusted advisers to landlords – Aviva research
A survey of over 500 UK landlords has pinpointed brokers and insurers as the leading source of support as they navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment, according to Aviva.
Arag Law sells personal injury business to Minster Law
Minster Law has bought the personal injury business of Arag Law for an undisclosed sum, with the team and caseload moving to a new office in Bristol.
Sabre hungry for ‘as much growth as we can lay our hands on’ but only at ‘right margin’, says CEO
Sabre grew by more than expected in the first half of the year, adding new broker agencies every week, CEO Geoff Carter has confirmed.
Clear confirms £35m deal spend for 2025
Clear spent £35m in its 2025 financial year, down substantially on bills over £100m in the prior two years, as it reined in the number of deals to five.
One broker added to latest chartered cohort
The Chartered Insurance Institute has awarded corporate chartered status to 11 firms in the first half of 2026, including one general insurance broker.