Articles by Insurance Age staff
Partners& seals first deal of 2026 with North East buy
Partners& has made its first acquisition of the year with the purchase of STP Risk Solutions, a chartered insurance broker based in Hull.
Axa Commercial CEO Walker to head retail arm on interim basis after Zweibrucker exit
Axa has confirmed that its UK commercial CEO, Jon Walker, has also taken interim control of its retail business while it finds a replacement for the former incumbent, Alain Zweibrucker.
Aon’s Andersen to replace Zaffino as AIG CEO
AIG has announced that group chairman and CEO Peter Zaffino intends to retire and transition to executive chair by mid-year.
MGU recruits NEDs from Google and Microsoft and opens Lloyd’s box
Managing general underwriter Advanced Technology Assurance has recruited a pair of former big tech executives to its board and opened an underwriting desk in Lloyd’s.
MGA Uris Group seals first acquisition post-Ardonagh split
Specialist personal lines MGA Uris Group has acquired Lutine Assurance Services from Ardonagh Group as it looks to diversify its offering for brokers.
Callum Beaton begins term as CII president
Callum Beaton began his year-long term as president of the Chartered Insurance Institute on 1 January while Debbie Mitchell started as deputy president for 2026.
End of Year Review 2025: Zurich Insurance’s Nikki Lidster
Nikki Lidster, head of SME at Zurich Insurance, reminisces about connecting with broker partners at the Biba Conference and promises if they want to get in touch with the business, they will get through to a skilled Zurich employee – never a bot.
Former Aviva exec awarded CBE in New Years Honours List
Insurance industry veteran Cathryn Riley has been recognised by King Charles III in the 2026 New Years Honours List.
End of Year Review 2025: Allianz UK’s Nick Hobbs
Nick Hobbs, chief distribution officer at Allianz UK, prays for a more balanced approach to regulation that enables and encourages great conduct and customer outcomes; congratulates Ken Norgrove for the Intact rebrand; and looks to a feathered friend for…
End of Year Review 2025: Markel UK’s Joanne Skyes
Joanne Sykes, divisional director - broker at Markel UK, predicts an escalation in demand for cyber risk and ransomware cover, whilst singing the praises of Biba CEO Trudgill and ‘Yellow’ with Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
Chubb to reduce global headcount by 20% through digital transformation
Chubb has estimated its digital transformation programme will reduce its global headcount by circa 20% within 3-4 years.
End of Year Review 2025: Crawford & Co’s Glenn Thornton
Glenn Thornton, head of major and complex loss at Crawford & Company, says farewell to two insurance icons in ‘Royal’ and ‘Sun Alliance’; hails the youngest deputy president CILA has ever had in Marsh’s Melissa Cunningham; and predicts AI driven dynamic…
End of Year Review 2025: Gallagher’s Gary Fletcher
Gary Fletcher, managing director of commercial at Gallagher UK Retail, is proud of the broker’s data led client tools and digital strategy; and favours a duet with Coldplay’s Chris Martin over his employer’s namesake Liam from Oasis.
End of Year Review 2025: Create Insurance Solutions’ Mike Cranny
Mike Cranny, founder of Create Insurance Solutions, remains disappointed by consolidation that brings nothing beneficial for customers – and questions shiny new hires that claim to bring “a wealth of talent” to a new employer.
End of Year Review 2025: Percayso’s Chris Traill
Chris Traill, account director at Percayso Inform, is happy the market is leaning harder into data-driven segmentation rather than just chasing the cheapest headline rate; but adds even with Consumer Duty, there are still examples of poor communication…
End of Year Review 2025: Axa Retail’s Matt Field
Matt Field, intermediary director at Axa Retail, hails the insurer’s domestic violence proposition; keeps a keen eye on its NPS; and predicts new entrants to shake up the retail personal lines market, with a particular focus on data and technology.
End of Year Review 2025: UKGI’s Jill Hambley
Jill Hambley, MD of the consultancy division at UKGI reflects on the shake-up at the FCA, the potential non-financial misconduct debacle at Lloyd’s, and shows an aptitude for using Gen Z terms.
Gallagher boss Rea to replace Aon’s Kielty as Biba deputy chair
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has announced that Michael Rea, Gallagher’s UK CEO, will be the association’s next deputy chair.
End of Year Review 2025: Bspoke’s Craig Morgan
Craig Morgan, managing director of Bspoke Sports & Leisure, echoes the concerns of others over the speed the market has softened; hails the work of Ajay Mistry in championing transparency and diversity; and shares a giant darts nickname.
Clear Group co-founder Lickens to retire
The Clear Group has announced that Howard Lickens, co-founder of the business with Gary O’Donnell, will retire at the end of this year.
End of Year Review 2025: Allianz Personal’s Graham Wright
Graham Wright, managing director – broker (interim) at Allianz Personal, acknowledges customers have benefited from the soft market, muses about whether consolidation has suppressed new entrants and keeps his cards close to his chest over the insurer’s…
End of Year Review 2025: SSP Broker’s Martyn Mathews
SSP Broker managing director Martyn Mathews crosses his fingers for the roll-out of a pilot insurance-in-education programme in 10-20 secondary schools, and looks to Star Trek for AI-related inspiration.
£40m GWP broker eyes first acquisition after securing growth funding
Lytham-headquartered Tower Insurance Brokers has secured a multi-million pound growth funding facility from TDC.
Esure CEO Martin-Simon to depart as Ageas unveils new direct MD
Ageas UK has announced that the Esure CEO Peter Martin-Simon is to leave the company in April next year six months after taking up the role.