Articles by Emmanuel Kenning
Rokstone launches international casualty division
Managing general agent Rokstone has launched an international casualty division, recruiting again from Convex to lead the new offering.
National brokers lead the way on climate guidance with regional firms lagging
Two-thirds of regional and provincial brokers do not provide any climate-related guidance to clients, according to research by Ecclesiastical, while the same amount (65%) of national brokers do so, Insurance Age can reveal.
Personal lines specialist buys bicycle and e-bike insurance brand
Niche Box Group has bought Next Generation Insurance Group – trading as Cycler – to expand into bicycle insurance as a stand alone or embedded into core covers.
Oxbow predicts profitable motor market CORs for 2025 and 2026
Oxbow Partners has forecast a combined operating ratio for the UK motor market of 93% for 2025 and 96% for 2026, which would mark three consecutive years of profit for the sector.
Ageas’ Middle and Beckett on staying strong with broker growth ambitions amid deals
Ageas’ plans are “as strong as ever” when it comes to broker growth and the ongoing deals will not be a distraction, its bosses have promised the sector as they flagged home insurance expansion as a key priority.
Superscript partners with Toolstation
Digital insurance broker Superscript has teamed up with Toolstation, one of the UK’s largest suppliers of tools, accessories and building supplies, to deliver the retailer’s customers access to a new insurance offering.
Zurich appoints youngest ever regional head
Georgina Davis has been appointed head of regional market for the Midlands, South West and Wales at Zurich, succeeding Stephen Davis who is leaving for a new role at another business.
Axa bosses Walker and Zweibrucker on growing with brokers in commercial and retail
The commercial and retail divisions of Axa Insurance in the UK are growing, the respective CEOs have confirmed, outlining plans to expand with brokers over the rest of the year and beyond.
FSCS confirms no broker levy for 2025/26
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has confirmed there will be no 2025/26 levy for the general insurance distribution class in which brokers sit.
FCA authorisation service slips back in Q4
The Financial Conduct Authority’s authorisation service in broker-related categories went backwards in the final quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.
QBE’s Fitzgerald on doubling in the regions, and what comes next
In the past three years, QBE has doubled its gross written premium in the regions and is not taking its “foot off the growth”, UK regions director Andy Fitzgerald tells Insurance Age, promising consistency for brokers.
Acrisure valued at $32bn in $2.1bn funding raise
US broking giant and Top 100 UK broker Acrisure has secured a $2.1bn (£1.57bn) capital raise in a funding round led by Bain Capital.
Staying one-step ahead in HNW with Aviva’s transformation – Owen
“We are always making sure we want to be one step ahead,” Ann Owen, managing director of Aviva Private Clients, told Insurance Age as the provider refreshed its product suite with the launch of Refine Home.
Peach grows in 2024 as NPAI moves back into profit
Peach, a trading style of NPA Insurance, grew net premiums by 70% in 2024 as it ceded less business to reinsurance.
33% of startup and scaleup businesses hit by cyber-attacks – Superscript
Some 54% of firms, ranging from those in seed stage to those IPO-ready, have worries about cyber-security and data risks, according to research by Superscript.
Accelerant boss Radke on 30% MGA growth and enabling brokers to ‘monetise every opportunity’
Risk exchange platform and capacity provider Accelerant is aiming to support managing general agent members with 30% growth over the next 12 months, CEO Jeff Radke told Insurance Age.
Verlingue boosts profits and turnover in 2024
Verlingue Holdings grew turnover by 13.7% to £23.96m in 2024 as profits at the broker surged ahead even more.
Downey on getting Pen to £1.75bn by 2030
Having hit its goal of £1bn gross written premium a year early in 2024, Pen Underwriting has set its sights on £1.75bn by 2030. CEO Tom Downey tells Insurance Age about the strategy of organic growth, product development and acquisitions now in place to…
TBIG backs Deva to buy David Vaughan & Co
The Broker Investment Group-backed Deva Risk Group has bought insurance broker David Vaughan & Co, adding offices in Dolgellau and Machynlleth, North Wales.
Aviva grows UK GWP 11% and trims COR in Q1
Aviva grew UK gross written premiums by 11% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period of last year reaching £1.85bn.
Biba 2025: The new era for insurance broking with AI and MGAs
Artificial intelligence will not replace advisers, but will add to decision making, while managing general agents will continue to become increasingly relevant to brokers, delegates at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference heard today.
Biba 2025: Trade body launches national insurance broker advertising campaign
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has launched a national advertising campaign to promote insurance brokers to SMEs.
Biba 2025: Biba welcomes FCA proposals on paring back insurance rules
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has welcomed the Financial Conduct Authority consulting on stripping back the insurance rulebook.
Interview: Duncan Pritchard, CEO of Commercial Express
Last year Commercial Express garnered extensive attention from the broker community with its slew of eye-catching product launches, CEO Duncan Pritchard tells Insurance Age about the growth of the business and what is coming next.