Articles by Emmanuel Kenning
RBC warns of potential £250m premium finance hit to Close Brothers
If a recent court ruling on motor finance litigation is upheld and spreads to premium finance Close Brothers could suffer a £250m hit, equity analysts RBC Capital Markets have warned.
Alistair Brighton named Marsh UK corporate and commercial CEO
Marsh has appointed Alistair Brighton as corporate and commercial UK CEO, succeeding Alistair Fraser who is moving to the newly created role of international corporate and commercial leader.
Lloyd’s wholesale broker H.W. Wood sale confirmed
H.W. International has struck a deal to sell H.W. Wood to Steadfast Group, a general insurance broker network and underwriting agency group in Australasia and owner of one of the largest agency networks in the US.
Broker deals help push Hiscox to 4.5% UK growth
Hiscox has revealed 4.5% growth in written premiums to £504.2m for the first nine months of 2024 as it topped over half a million customers.
Open GI expands panel with Commercial Express property owners
Managing general agent Commercial Express has joined Open GI’s commercial panel, the software specialists have confirmed.
Hood moves household book from RSA to Bspoke
Bspoke Group has teamed up with Hood Group to underwrite the Top 100 Broker and affinity insurance provider’s household portfolio.
i-Wonder to launch classic car comparison site
Niche comparison site solutions provider i-Wonder is rolling out a service for UK classic car insurance, Insurance Age can reveal.
Ex-LV broker leader Michael Lawrence joins Grove & Dean
Michael Lawrence, previously broker distribution and underwriting director at LV GI, has joined Grove & Dean taking on the same job title, Insurance Age can reveal.
FCA reopens parts of commercial and bespoke insurance discussion paper for feedback
The Financial Conduct Authority has reopened parts of its discussion paper on commercial and bespoke insurance business in response to demand.
Antares unveils UK MGA focused retail division
Antares Global Management, formerly known as QIC Global, has rolled out a restructure of its underwriting operations with a new retail division to back managing general agents and a commercial division.
Deva buys Wrexham-based Tudor Insurance
Deva Group has struck its first deal since The Broker Investment Group upped its stake in the firm to 75% this summer.
Clear adds £10m broker Vision to portfolio in South East
Clear Group has strengthened its presence in the South East buying Bagshot, Surrey-based Vision Insurance Services.
Hiscox opens in Bristol
Hiscox has added to its regional presence with a satellite office in Bristol, Insurance Age can reveal.
GI complaints to FOS drop as workload soars in first half of 2024
While the Financial Ombudsman Service’s workload surged upwards by 43% in the first half of the year, the number of general insurance and pure protection complaints fell by 8% compared to the start of 2023, new figures have revealed.
UK commercial pricing downturn accelerates – Marsh
UK insurance rates fell 5% in the third quarter, the fastest rate of decline since the drop started at the start of 2024, according to research by Marsh.
Policy Expert owner Qmetric swings back to operating profit
Qmetric, which trades as personal lines specialist Policy Expert, returned to operating profit and pushed Ebitda into the black last financial year with turnover and customer numbers rising.
Aviva signs three-year property deal with Rokstone
Managing general agent Rokstone, part of the Aventum Group, has inked a three-year binding authority agreement with Aviva for its direct & facultative property portfolio.
Interview: Hiscox UK COO Cath Frost on delivering operational excellence for brokers
Having joined Hiscox this April UK COO Cath Frost has already seen operational improvements but there is more to come from the insurer she promises brokers.
Markerstudy confirms motor specialist Collingwood buy
A spokesperson for Markerstudy Group has confirmed that backer Pollen Street Capital, in conjunction with Markerstudy, has agreed to buy Gibraltar-based Collingwood Insurance Services.
Complete Cover lost £1.7m in run-up to run-off
Complete Cover Group lost £1.68m in 2023 with turnover tumbling to £2.7m ahead of the car and van specialist broker going into run-off.
Home insurance stays in the red at 118% NCR with more losses to come – EY
The UK home insurance industry delivered a loss-making net combined ratio of 118% in 2023, worse than predicted with more red ink to follow in 2024, according to EY.
Across the board uplifts at Avantia
Avantia Insurance delivered double digit increases in turnover and post-tax profits in 2023, repeating the achievements of previous years.
DR&P deals costs revealed in run-up to BMS sale
DR&P spent more than £12m on five acquisitions in the financial year ahead of selling up to BMS, filings at Companies House have revealed.
Seventeen Group lifts turnover in 2023
Seventeen Group boosted turnover by 21.8% to £45.31m in 2023 on the back of acquisitions and organic growth, as it trimmed losses compared to the year before.