Articles by Jonathan Swift
Meet the MGA: Lumara
Having helped set-up one MGA in Arista two decades ago, Lumara CEO David Aslin explains why he is going again, seeking to be a top three partner with its brokers through a combination of expertise, flexible products and agency exclusivity.
Hiscox to boost UK retail productivity with augmented underwriting
Hiscox is seeking to double down on productivity improvements across its retail business in the UK through AI augmented underwriting.
Acrisure MGA senior trio Palmer, Read and Banks exit for Ardonagh reunion at Geo
Three bosses at Acrisure’s MGA arm AUK have handed their notices in and are heading for a reunion with Ardonagh, Insurance Age has learned.
What is behind the big broker boss upheaval of 2025/6?
The last 10 months have seen significant boardroom reshuffles among the UK’s biggest brokers. Getting horror movie vibes from the early 80s, Jonathan Swift has a stab at assessing the reasons behind the upheaval – and whether the body count might grow…
Aviva, Admiral and NFU CEOs rally against product standardisation at HoL hearing
Aviva’s UK and Ireland CEO Jason Storah has said the standardisation of insurance products would be a “step back” and reduce competition, innovation and personalisation.
Clear CEO feels ‘no pressure’ as it enters fifth year with Goldman Sachs
The CEO of Clear Group has asserted the broker is under no pressure to consider future options yet as it enters its fifth year with private equity backer Goldman Sachs.
Gallagher broking and placement MD Smith departs
Gallagher’s managing director of broking and placement for its UK and Ireland retail division Stephen Smith has departed 16 months after being promoted into the role, Insurance Age can reveal.
Blog: Is ex-DLG/Aviva CEO Adam Winslow about to resurface at PIB?
A year on from the announcement that he was to depart Direct Line Group in the wake of its takeover by Aviva, Jonathan Swift muses what its former CEO Adam Winslow’s next move might be. And comes up with a potentially surprising conclusion.
Biba CEO in Parliament: Brokers not an ‘endangered species’
Insurance brokers remain a “sustainable” force in the personal lines space – and not an endangered species.
Zurich to canvas brokers on launching trade vertical solutions
Zurich is to set to ask its brokers about whether it should offer trade-based vertical solutions, as part of a massive research project being kicked off at the end of the month.
Broker boss concerned about MGAs priortising profit commission over claims
Concerns have been raised that some managing general agents might choose to protect profit commission over paying or even discussing ‘grey area’ claims in the present soft market.
Price no excuse for losing business if brokers do their job
Price alone should not be used as an excuse for losing business senior brokers told delegates at the Broker Expo Roadshow in Bristol last week.
‘Scrappy’ soft market sees brokers cutting corners to win business.
The present soft market trading has been described as “scrappy” by a senior broker, with corners being cut by some due to the added pressure to win business and hit targets.
Aviva PL CEO Morris: DLG now a non-issue for brokers
Aviva’s takeover of Direct Line is coming up less and less in the insurer’s conversations with brokers, according to its personal lines boss.
Kielty to help ‘transition’ as new UK leader announced by Aon
Jane Kielty will be supporting the transition of leadership responsibilities at Aon as the broker revamps its management structure, bringing in Tracy-Lee Kus to oversee the UK, Ireland, South Africa and the Middle East from 1 June.
Hemming: Hiscox to continue filling ‘obvious’ cover gaps
Brokers can expect Hiscox UK to launch more commercial product extensions in the coming months, as the insurer seeks to fill “obvious gaps”.
Allianz to cap personal broker renewals to help them be more competitive
Allianz is planning to cap renewal premium increases for its brokered personal lines business to help intermediaries retain customers, Insurance Age has learned.
Ageas to almost halve its workforce with 1800 job cuts by 2029
Ageas has announced plans to cut almost half its workforce following the acquisitions of Esure and Acromas.
Biba 2026: Brokers need to ‘operationalise’ data to meet emerging risk challenges
The operationalisation of data is becoming more important in helping brokers and their clients make better decisions in an increasingly volatile world.
Markerstudy to sell MGA business with CUO Humphreys poised to exit
Markerstudy Group is set to sell its managing general agent arm to the parent company of insurer Tradex as it focuses on broking, Insurance Age has learned.
Video Q&A: Shaun Hooper, Close Brothers Premium Finance
After a period of regulatory scrutiny and market change, what’s next for premium finance providers, brokers and customers?
WF Risks eyes new branches as CEO bemoans lack of M&A opportunities
WF Risk Group has established a new office in Edinburgh under the sub-brand ‘WF Risk Insurance Brokers’ and is looking at other prospective launches across UK and Ireland headed by further senior hires.
Broking Success: From undesirable to undeniable – Matt McCall, Raw Material Cover
Raw Material Cover founder and CEO Matt McCall describes his journey with his specialist waste and recycling broker as a Cinderella story. He speaks to Jonathan Swift about being invited to the ball at Lloyd’s and the plans for wholesale and…
Interview: Hiscox UK CEO Jon Dye on plans to create a ‘bigger and better specialist’ insurer
Having joined in 2022 as UK CEO, Jon Dye has certainly made a mark in terms of the Hiscox retail arm’s results and recruitment. Jonathan Swift asks him how he plans to maintain an upward trajectory against the backdrop of a soft market and economic…