Articles by Emmanuel Kenning
New Ripe CEO eyes up deals and four product launches in 2025
“The challenge that I’ve taken on, and I’ve mapped out, is both organic growth maintained in double digits and a healthy amount of growth coming through new products,” Ripe CEO Alan Thomas has told Insurance Age.
Pollen Street backed Pivotal Growth buys Northern Irish broker
Pivotal Growth, which is backed by Markerstudy investor Pollen Street Capital, has bought Business Protection Solutions (UK) in Northern Ireland.
Ex-Ageas boss Boisseau joins Howden as NED
Former Ageas leader Francois-Xavier Boisseau has been appointed as chair of Howden’s UK and Ireland retail board, taking up the post this month.
Manifesto 2025: A ‘golden opportunity’, says Biba
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has unveiled its 2025 Manifesto, titled ‘Partnering to deliver value’, labelling the year as a golden opportunity on regulation.
Broker optimism on the up in fleet
Direct Commercial’s latest broker barometer has found 56% of brokers experienced difficulties in securing coverage for smaller fleets in the last quarter, a slight improvement from 60% earlier in the year.
SMEs satisfaction with insurance ended 2024 on a high – CII
Overall SME satisfaction with insurers rose to 83% in the final quarter of last year, according to data released by the Chartered Insurance Institute.
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.
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.
Acorn Group buys telematics specialist MyPolicy
Merseyside-based Acorn Group has bought MyPolicy, a telematics insurance broker specialising in young drivers and low mileage drivers.
Van Ameyde UK to come under Woodgate & Clark brand
Woodgate & Clark and Van Ameyde UK have confirmed plans to become one integrated business under the Woodgate & Clark brand.
Ecclesiastical recruits Medlicott as UK casualty director
Ecclesiastical Insurance has appointed James Medlicott as UK casualty director, joining in March from HDI Global where he was director for liability underwriting.
Organic growth and deals boost Bspoke to over £13m turnover
Bspoke achieved organic income growth of over 30% on established business in the year ended 30 March 2024, chief commercial officer Ryan Gill has confirmed to Insurance Age as turnover topped £13m.
Iprism broadens capacity deal with Zurich
Managing general agent Iprism has signed a multi-year deal with Zurich bringing in capacity for its property owners and commercial combined products.
SRG details acquisition spend in run-up to PE deal
Specialist Risk Investments, bought by Warburg Pincus and Temasek last year, spent over £65m on deals in 2023 and has detailed subsequent outlays.
JMG purchase costs drop to £19.6m in 2023/24
JMG Group spent £19.63m on acquisitions in the year ending 31 March 2024, settling the bulk of the bill in cash.
Turnover and profit flat at Kelliher in 2023
Kelliher Insurance Group has posted £16.54m of turnover and £854,121 of pre-tax profit for 2023.
Jensten deal spend £119m in 2023/24
Jensten spent £119.35m on acquisitions in the year ended 31 March 2024, adding to investments of £73.3m and £36.2m in the previous two years.
W Denis boosts profits in 2024
Top 100 UK broker W Denis grew post-tax profit by 53% to £1.13m in the year ended 30 June 2024.
Aon completes Griffiths & Armour buy
Global giant Aon completed the takeover of Top 40 UK insurance broker Griffiths & Armour on 1 January.
FCA insurance related fines total £1.1m in 2024
The Financial Conduct Authority handed out £1.11m in fines to two general insurance broking individuals in 2024, as firms achieved the second year in a row of zero fines.
Aviva-target DLG launches on Compare the Market
Aviva takeover target Direct Line Group has launched three new branded motor insurance products on Compare the Market, marking its entry on to price comparison websites.
Pen names Hannah Fry as COO
Gallagher-owned Pen Underwriting has appointed Hannah Fry as chief operating officer joining the executive team on 6 January 2025.
Brokers urge Aviva not to let DLG deal dull service
Brokers have hailed the ongoing improvements at Aviva and called on the provider not to be knocked off course in the regional market should the Direct Line Group takeover complete as expected.
Ex-Criterion loss adjuster jailed for over four years for claims fraud
A loss adjuster who abused his position by submitting a series of fake insurance claims worth over £160,000, including using his wife’s name and that of his deceased father-in-law, has been jailed.