
Jonathan Swift
Content director, insurance, postonline.co.uk
Jonathan has written and commented about the insurance industry since 1998 as a reporter, news editor, editor and content director at Incisive Media.
He has appeared on television speaking about topics as diverse as the insurance implications of Michael Jackson's death to the consequences of consolidation on motor premiums; and is a past winner of the British Insurance Brokers' Association journalist of the year and Association of British Insurers general insurance trade journalist prizes.
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Articles by Jonathan Swift
Cheesbrough outlines M&A and tech plans as Movo enters ‘2.0’ growth phase
The Movo Group of Companies is poised to enter a new period of M&A activity and member sign-up following the sale of a majority equity stake to AUB in October 2024.
Interview: Superscript CEO Chris Barclay
Newly appointed Superscript CEO Chris Barclay tells Jonathan Swift about its plans to enter motor, reduce the number of insurers it works with and treble in size to over £100m GWP after shaking off its insurtech tag to become a truly digital insurance…
Superscript to enter motor market as it targets £120m GWP by 2028
Digital insurance broker Superscript is gearing up to enter the motor market as it aims to treble its gross written premium to £120m in three years.
Applied Systems confirms Epic withdrawal from UK broker software market
Applied Systems has confirmed it has completed a strategic business review and has decided to withdraw Applied Epic from the UK market after ongoing losses, as exclusively revealed by Insurance Age earlier today.
Applied Systems to pull Epic solution from UK broker market
US broker software giant Applied Systems is to withdraw its Epic solution from the UK broker market, Insurance Age can exclusively reveal.
RSA unveils new commercial MD as Bryson departs
RSA has appointed Tovah Grosscurth as commercial lines managing director with immediate effect, subject to regulatory approval.
Freedom sells broking arm to top 100 broker to focus on MGA business
Niche motor specialist One Sure Insurance has acquired fellow Top 100 UK broker Freedom Brokers, Insurance Age can reveal.
Meet the MGA: Arkel
Chief underwriting officer Kris Lee outlines why data and people are key to Arkel’s success, none more than recent recruits Matthew Donaldson and Steve Lewis, and how its ‘dream team’ will take it to new heights in a ‘pivotal’ 2025 as it aims to become a…
Motor MGA faces uncertain future after Accredited does not renew binder
CPD Underwriting Solutions has become one of the latest motor MGAs to face an uncertain future due to the withdrawal of capacity.
Zurich CEO Jaksic hails speed of broker service as key in softening market
The need for speed when it comes to broker service has been exacerbated in the softening commercial market, according to Zurich UK CEO Drazen Jaksic.
Personal lines roundtable: The broker perspective
Seven takeaways from the Allianz-sponsored personal lines roundtable at Broker Expo
Biba 2025: Insurance sector cautious on AI declining claims or determining liability
Artificial intelligence is going to have a greater role to play in claims, including larger ones, even if the insurance sector has reservations about it being used to decline claims and determine liability.
Biba 2025: Allianz to sell pet insurance through brokers
Allianz is planning to enter the broker pet insurance market, Insurance Age can reveal.
Acrisure UK boss happy with deal pipeline as he dismisses “myth” of diminishing targets
The boss of Acrisure’s UK retail business has rebuffed suggestions it has missed the boat in terms of having the best pick of suitable broking acquisitions – and pointed to its ownership structure and “myth” about size of potential target base as factors…
Meet the MGA: Shape Underwriting
Mandy Hunt, managing director of Shape Underwriting, explains the logic behind rebranding the Clear MGA business; outlines its holistic approach to acquisitions; and pinpoints the importance of recruiting staff who understand collaboration, integrity…
Biba 2025 Countdown: Aurora’s Tom Willmore
With the 2025 British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference only just over a week away Tom Willmore, broker distribution lead at Aurora, offers up offers useful tips to keep delegates moving and well fed with pies, as well as why the mantra ‘quality…
Interview: Sue Coffey, Covéa
With no distractions and a clear strategy centred on five core products, Covéa personal lines director Sue Coffey tells Jonathan Swift the insurer is keen to grow its share of the regional broking market, by sticking to what it is good at.
The FCA’s new five-year plan – what does it actually mean for brokers?
Following the recent publication of its new five-year plan, Insurance Age canvassed opinion from regulatory experts and market commentators on what brokers might expect from the the Financial Conduct Authority between now and 2030.
Biba 2025 Countdown: Commercial Express’ Duncan Pritchard
In a month’s time it will be day two of the 2025 British Insurance Brokers’ Association Conference. As part of Insurance Age's countdown to the event Duncan Pritchard, managing director of Commercial Express, shares his insights.
Ageas claims ‘number three’ UK personal lines position with £1.3bn Esure deal
Ageas has reached an agreement with Bain Capital to acquire Esure to create what it claims is the third largest UK personal lines player.
Fairchild: broker deal slowdown highlights need for “fresh approach” to M&A
The mooted decline in broker merger and acquisition activity in the UK means it is the right time to introduce a new approach to deal-making.
Meet the MGA: MX Underwriting
Ian Cook, managing director at MX Underwriting, explains why he believes MGAs are not suffering a capacity crunch, and outlines plans to write in excess of £200m GWP in 2025 and add to MX’s product range and capability.
Meet the MGA: Optio Underwriting
With an aim to be the most admired global specialty MGA, Optio Underwriting group CEO Deepak Soni outlines how it attracts top talent, plans to mix organic growth with M&A and discusses the importance of having a PE backer that understands the subtle…
Meet the MGA: Aspect
Following its recent brand refresh Oli Williamson, co-founder and chief underwriter, explains how Aspect is seeking to expand its core mid-corporate market offering into new areas such as terrorism and cyber – with an eye very much on how it can leverage…