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
ERS parent snapped up in deal that will create 9th largest Lloyd’s insurer
Starr has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ERS owner IQUW Group, a deal which will make it the ninth-largest agency operating at Lloyd’s.
Ex-Covea managers to launch new commercial combined MGA
Accelerant-backed MGA incubator Mission has announced that it has reached an agreement to support a new team launching a UK commercial combined MGA in Q4 2025.
Freedom Services Group goes into administration
The holding company of inactive managing general agent Freedom Services has gone into administration, Insurance Age can reveal.
Broker Expo 2025: Claims brokers and account execs should talk more, especially during soft market
The soft market should encourage greater communication between frontline account executives and claims staff within broking firms, especially as insurers give closer scrutiny to claims.
Intact invests in Top 100 UK Broker Adler Fairways’ owner UKGI Group
The parent company of Top 100 UK insurance broker Adler Fairways has secured financial backing from Intact Financial Corporation, Insurance Age can reveal.
Video Q&A: Arch’s Stuart Danskin on product liability opportunities for brokers
In this video Stuart Danskin, director of underwriting, Arch Insurance UK Regional, outlines the opportunities for UK regional brokers in selling product liability.
Top 100 UK Brokers 2025: Introduction
Another year, and another wave of consolidation and M&A taking out some major players from our annual Top 100 UK Broker ranking.
Ex-Tempcover team launch new short-term insurance broker Covertime
A team of senior ex-Tempcover employees has formally re-entered the UK insurance market with Covertime, a new start-up broker focused on short-term cover.
Video Q&A: Arch Insurance’s Mike Bottle on standing out in the mid-corporate space
In this video Mike Bottle, managing director, Arch Insurance UK Regional discusses how the business has evolved over recent years.
MGA Ripe names second CUO in less than a year
UK Digital MGA Ripe has appointed Sean Carney as its new chief underwriting officer.
New CEO Crosbie outlines MGA/M&A plans as Academy rebranded BDH Group
Academy Insurance Services has rebranded to BDH Group and appointed Gordon Crosbie as its new CEO, Insurance Age can reveal.
Bown steps down as CEO of Dayinsure, succeeded by Bibby
Barry Bown has stepped down as CEO of top 100 broker Dayinsure, to be replaced by Chris Bibby.
SRG’s Thorne to take over as Seventeen CEO from retiring Anscombe
Seventeen Group has announced that Specialist Risk Insurance Solutions managing director Oliver Thorne is to join the business in October as CEO.
Allianz hires Hughes from Ageas as PL broker MD
Allianz UK has recruited Glyn Hughes from Ageas as managing director of Allianz Personal Broker.
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.