Articles by Emmanuel Kenning
Matt Williams named UK and Ireland CEO at Allianz Trade
Matt Williams, currently regional credit director for Allianz Trade in Northern Europe, is moving to be CEO in the UK and Ireland succeeding Sarah Murrow.
Deal-linked Esure swings back to profit
Motor and home insurer Esure, previously touted as takeover target for Ageas, Allianz and Aviva, moved back into the black in 2024 with a £57.7m post tax profit reversing a loss of £60.1m the year before.
HDI takes Breese from Arch as cyber leader
HDI Global UK and Ireland has recruited Marcus Breese as head of cyber underwriting, joining from Arch Insurance International.
Brunel Insurance Brokers in North Devon broker deal
Brunel Insurance Brokers has snapped up the renewal rights of John Walker Insurance.
Confidence on growth stays stable as regulation remains to the fore
Around nine in ten leaders continue to feel upbeat about growth prospects for the second quarter of 2025, according to the latest findings in the KPMG UK Financial Services Sentiment survey.
Lloyd’s bound Convex releases 2024 results
Convex Group grew gross written premiums by 22% last year to $5.17bn (£4bn) as its combined operating ratio improved to 87.6% from 89.6% in 2023.
Mitsui Sumitomo to buy 15% stake in W.R. Berkley
Japanese insurer Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance has signed up to buy 15% of the shares in New York Stock Exchange listed W.R. Berkley Corporation.
Iprism grows again with a 21% boost in 2024
Managing general agent Iprism Underwriting Agency grew 21% in the year to 30 June 2024, building on the 16% achieved the year before, and is eyeing up further expansion in 2025.
Allianz Commercial appoints CUO and CTO
Allianz UK has appointed Adam Lloyd from Allianz Australia as chief underwriting officer in Allianz Commercial and promoted Claire Buck to the newly created role of chief technical officer for the division.
Aviva to open regional underwriting branch in Cardiff
Aviva is opening a new regional underwriting branch in Cardiff to service brokers and clients in South Wales, Insurance Age can reveal.
Ardonagh posts 8% organic growth for 2024
The Ardonagh Group has declared a 24% rise in reported income to $1.98bn (£1.53bn) in 2024, a year it completed 68 acquisitions around the world.
Ardonagh December 24 raise measured at $2.5bn – report
Ardonagh will bring in up to $2.5bn (£1.94bn) from investors to be used for its growth plans including acquisitions, according to Bloomberg.
Experts hail proportionate regulation in FCA five-year strategy
The Financial Conduct Authority’s strategic plan for 2025-2030 is “expansive and broad”, but the initial impression is positive, “particularly on the noises the FCA has made around proportionate regulation”, according to Jill Hambley, managing director…
Bayles to lead Bravo Networks as MD Bennett moves to Towergate role
Bravo Networks managing director Scott Bennett has moved to be branch director for Towergate in Manchester with Phil Bayles covering at the network on an interim basis.
TBIG starts 2025 M&A push
Beam Insurance Solutions, part of The Broker Investment Group, has bought Bridgnorth-based KDH Insurance Brokers.
FCA to consult on removing minimum training and development hours in insurance
The Financial Conduct Authority will open a consultation this summer including on the definition of SME used in the insurance market as part of its ongoing review of Consumer Duty rules.
FCA launches five-year strategy promising smarter, more efficient and effective regulation
The Financial Conduct Authority has launched its five-year strategy revealing the four priorities for 2025 to 2030.
Patston named Touchstone MD as Roe retires
Mike Patston has been promoted to managing director of Touchstone Underwriting following the retirement of Alan Roe.
H.W. Wood rebrands to HWS Specialty after sale to Steadfast
London-headquartered specialist wholesale broker H.W. Wood has rebranded to HWS Specialty after being snapped up by Steadfast Group.
Broker confidence in non-standard market waning, says Prestige
Managing general agents remain pivotal in non-standard but there are “mixed signals” in broker confidence, according to a survey by Prestige Underwriting.
Blog: Starting gun fired on JMG deal
The question isn’t so much who would want JMG – because frankly who wouldn’t – as what type of deal is coming? Emmanuel Kenning ponders the options.
Interview: Mike Bottle, managing director of the Arch Insurance UK regional division
After a decade of transformation, multi-award-winning Arch is very much open for business with brokers and ready for more profitable growth across its regional network, hub and digital offerings, boss Mike Bottle tells Insurance Age.
Ecclesiastical delivers major COR improvement with sub 80% in UK and Ireland
Ecclesiastical Insurance improved its combined operating significantly in the UK and Ireland last year as underwriting profits more than doubled.
Holt to succeed Haynes as director of underwriting at Arag
Nathan Holt will take over as director of underwriting at legal expenses insurer Arag when David Haynes becomes CEO at the start of April.