Articles by Rosie Simms
Allianz confirms Graham Stait as director of UK markets following Carey exit
Allianz Commercial has confirmed Graham Stait as director of UK markets, after holding the role of director of mid-market on an interim basis since August 2024.
Petchey: “Strong demand” in schemes gives Markel opportunity to diversify
Mike Petchey, head of schemes at Markel, is seeing “strong demand” in the market, highlighting the number of possibilities when it comes to schemes is enormous.
Markel adds pre-loss services to Cyber360
Markel has launched its pre-loss services for UK Cyber360 policyholders, to help clients minimise cyber risks.
Underwriting discipline key for MGAs
Gavin Dollings, chief underwriting officer at Rockstone Commercial, has highlighted that “flawless execution” of underwriting discipline is key for managing general agents as brokers want consistency of appetite.
Data – a ‘superpower’ in a business
Data was a “superpower” in a business, Mark McIlquham UK CEO of Acrisure told the audience at the Managing General Agents’ Association 2025 conference on 3 July, in a discussion where cross-selling was also to the fore.
FCA’s Brewis responds to 15-hour training removal pushback
Matt Brewis, director of insurance at the FCA, has responded to the pushback against the watchdog proposing to end the specified minimum hours of training and development required for insurance employees.
People Moves: 30 June – 4 July 2025
Keep up to date with the latest personnel moves in insurance.
‘An MGA is for life not just for Christmas’ – Dual’s Dixon
Managing general agents need to get away from transactional relationships and move into “deeper, more sustainable” ones with carriers, brokers and policyholders, according to Catherine Dixon, chief underwriting officer at Dual.
Brokers brought into scope of FCA’s bullying and harassment misconduct rules
The Financial Conduct Authority is extending the scope of serious bullying and harassment in financial firms qualifying as misconduct to around 37,000 regulated firms, including insurance brokers.
Simply Business operating profit soars almost 90% in 2024
Xbridge, which trades as Simply Business, increased operating profit to £45.91m for the year ended 31 December 2024, up almost 90% from the previous year.
Home insurance premiums fall 3.8% in Q2
Home insurance premiums continued to fall in the second quarter of 2025 with the average top five prices down by 3.8%, according to Pearson Ham.
MBC rebrands to Clear Insurance Ireland
McAuliffe Barry & Collins Insurance (trading as MBC Insurance and Techinsure.ie) has rebranded as Clear Insurance Ireland.
Credit and political risk broker completes EOT switch
The Texel Group, a credit and political risk insurance broker, has completed its transition to 100% employee ownership through the creation of the Texel employee ownership trust.
CMA greenlights Aviva’s takeover of DLG
The Competition and Markets Authority has today cleared Aviva’s takeover of Direct Line Group.
Hiscox launches cargo API
Hiscox has launched a cargo application programming interface-based solution, available through broker partners for underwriting small cargo and stock throughput risks.
Starpeak renews binder with Axa XL’s UK and Lloyd’s business
Digital distributor of specialist insurance products, Starpeak, has renewed its binder arrangement with Axa XL’s UK and Lloyd’s business, marking the 10th year of the partnership.
French broker opens in the UK as it approaches 180 year anniversary
French insurance broker Filhet-Allard Maritime has expanded into the UK opening a London office.
Cowens looks for growth in challenging market
Mark Wilson, managing director of Cowens, has targeted 15% growth in the next year but highlighted the soft market and wider economy challenges, with acquisitions not ruled out.
Biba launches AI guide to help members
The British Insurance Brokers has launched a new guide, sponsored by Markel, to help members understand how artificial intelligence might be beneficially incorporated into their business.
People Moves: 23 – 27 June 2025
Follow the latest personnel moves in insurance.
Start-up broker adds director for bitcoin mining and AI compute
Start-up insurance broker Native has hired George Frith as divisional director of bitcoin mining and AI compute.
Allianz warns SMEs of the risk of underinsurance in summer
Allianz has warned of the “genuine risk of underinsurance” as it found 34% of SMEs don’t adapt their insurance levels to accommodate fluctuations in seasonality.
Ventis expands into Scotland
Commercial and residential real estate managing general agent Ventis has launched in Scotland, under the leadership of Karen Feeney.
Policy Expert grows pre-tax profit by more than £25m as motor moves into black for first time
Policy Expert increased its profits before tax to £30.1m in the last financial year, up significantly from £4.9m, as underlying Ebitda more than doubled to £55.3m.