Articles by Emmanuel Kenning
SRG starts 2025 buys with schemes broker
Specialist Risk Group has bought schemes specialist Brentacre Insurance in its first UK broker deal of the year.
Aviva-bound DLG swings back to operating profit but customer count falls
Direct Line Group has reported an operating profit of £205m for 2024, more than reversing a £189.9m loss the year before.
FCA bans broker whose fraud caused client to fail and go into liquidation
The Financial Conduct Authority has banned David Robert Cooke, previously a director at Professional Construction Risks Limited, from working in all regulated activity after he received a police conditional caution for an insurance fraud that led to the…
Flood Re names Perry Thomas as CEO
Flood Re has appointed Perry Thomas as CEO succeeding Stuart Logue, who has been leading the organisation on an interim basis since last August.
Allianz planning new regional broker office in 2025, says Holmes
Allianz has plans for a new branch in 2025, UK CEO Colm Holmes told Insurance Age, as he highlighted the provider’s commitment to regional underwriting.
Allianz UK boosts GWP in 2024 as operating profit up 52%
Allianz UK has reported a 5.5% rise in total business volume last year to £4.66bn with profit surging ahead.
Aviva “ruthlessly focused” on being consistent for brokers, says CEO Storah
Aviva grew UK SME business by 12% in 2024 with a more or less 50/50 split between rate and policy count growth, its UK and Ireland general insurance CEO has told Insurance Age.
Robic succeeds Furby as EMEA president at Chubb
Ana Robic has been appointed regional president for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Chubb, succeeding David Furby, who has been named executive chairman of EMEA.
Ageas UK premiums up 21% in 2024 to €1.85bn
Ageas grew UK premiums by 21% last year to €1.85bn (£1.52bn), driven by expanding the customer base and premium rate in motor, its parent has confirmed.
Aviva scores double-digit UK profit and volume growth in 2024
Aviva has posted 16% UK gross written premium growth in 2024, as its combined operating ratio improved to 94.9%.
AUB reports Momentum and Movo deal costs
Sydney-headquartered AUB Group has revealed the costs of snapping up 40% of appointed representatives network Momentum Broker Solutions and 80% of fellow AR offering Movo Group last year, and promised more deals to come.
Polaris eyeing up £500m GWP milestone for imarket in 2025, confirms Banga
“I don’t want to tempt fate, but on current trajectory, we should be getting close [to £500m GWP] by the end of 2025,” Polaris managing director Vivek Banga told Insurance Age.
Two more S166s into insurance firms
The Financial Conduct Authority commissioned two skilled person reports into insurance businesses between October and December 2024, taking the running total for the financial year into double digits.
Another double-digit jump for Polaris’s imarket takes premiums to £449m in 2024
Insurance premiums placed through digital trading platform imarket rose 15% to £449m in 2024 as Polaris built on surges in recent years.
FSCS opens to claims after Scottish broker stopped from trading by FCA
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has opened for claims from customers of Arthur Temlett, who traded as Abacus Insurance Consultants and was forced to stop carrying out any regulated activities by the Financial Conduct Authority at the start of…
Ex-England manager Gareth Southgate among Biba conference speakers
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has confirmed former England men’s football team manager Gareth Southgate as one of its 2025 conference keynote speakers.
Gallagher names ex-Giles boss Lyons specialty CEO as Turner departs
Gallagher has appointed Sarah Lyons, currently CEO of its Australia and Asia business, as CEO of the London-based specialty division, succeeding Jonathan Turner.
Seven kilometre high pile – FCA moves to clarify email deletion plans
The Financial Conduct Authority has acknowledged it hit the headlines last week with criticism of its plans to delete emails held in staff inboxes after a year, and has sought to explain what it is doing and why.
QBE hails “excellent” International COR of 88.7%
QBE International grew gross written premium by 11% to $9.84bn (£7.78bn) last year as the combined operating ratio improved.
Hiscox UK adds Walker from Marsh as broker development director
Hiscox UK has appointed Stewart Walker as broker development director, a newly created role at the insurer.
FCA within a whisker of green sweep on authorisations
The Financial Conduct Authority delivered a top rating of ‘green’ across 16 authorisation metrics with only one ranked as ‘amber’ and none in the red zone during October to December last year.
Zurich UK boosts operating profits as GWP rises and COR improves
Zurich UK improved its combined operating ratio in property and casualty business to 91.7% last year from 93.8% in 2023.
MCE administrator updates on progress
The administrators of MCE Insurance have detailed developments on credit hire, property and a court case involving Alpha Insurance in their latest update.
Howden’s UK broker buying takes off in 2025 with two aviation deals
Howden has bought aviation specialist Forbes Insurance and Hill Aviation Insurance Services’ book of business as it sets up a new division.