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
What next for Jensten Group after the Bain Capital buyout?
With Bain Capital investment now secured, content director Jonathan Swift outlines what the market might expect from Jensten Group as it enters a new era.
Interview: Allianz Commercial UK managing director Phuong Ly
Allianz Commercial UK managing director Phuong Ly talks to Jonathan Swift about how greater regional underwriting authority, a clearer risk appetite and focus on digitalisation should help the business achieve its ambition of being the easiest insurer to…
Allianz Commercial boss Ly: 90% of underwriting decisions to be made locally
Allianz Commercial is seeking to de-centralise nine in ten underwriting decisions as it seeks to fulfill its ambition to become the “the easiest insurer to do deal with”.
Bain Capital to acquire Jensten Group
Bain Capital, the global private investment firm, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Jensten Group from Livingbridge.
Gallagher CEO Rea: AssuredPartners integration does not prevent M&A after ‘amicable’ end to PIB talks
The expected 12-18 month integration of the AssuredPartners UK and Irish businesses will not prevent Gallagher seeking more M&A in those territories following the “amicable” ending of talks with PIB.
Coles bullish over ‘sweet spots’ as MGA Uris targets £150m post MBO
MGA and outsourced insurance administration and underwriting services provider Uris Group is on track for £150m of premium in its first year as an independent business, Insurance Age can reveal.
Pen seals new solicitors’ PI facility after IGI capacity deal ends early
Pen Underwriting has put new solicitors’ professional indemnity business on hold while it finalises a new long-term capacity deal for the product line.
With the Gallagher deal off the table, what are the next steps for PIB?
With PIB and its PE investors choosing to go again rather than sell to Gallagher, content director Jonathan Swift ponders what might lie ahead for the pan-European consolidator in an era of indigestion and M&A indifference.
Interview: ERS managing director Martin Hall
The newly appointed ERS managing director Martin Hall speaks to Jonathan Swift about how it plans to maintain its profitable growth through embracing data/technology, focusing on opportunities in mobility innovation and being the go-to market for brokers…
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…