Articles by Rosie Simms
Allianz tipped to put in £5bn bid for the AA
Allianz has been circling the roadside assistance firm and Top 100 UK broker AA, setting the scene for a potential £5bn bid, recent reports have suggested.
Wakam targets doubling GWP to £370m in 2027
Wakam UK has committed to investing in its partner proposition and operational capabilities to support brokers, MGAs and insurance businesses as it targets doubling gross written premium.
WTW hits the back of the net with WSL team up
WTW has become the official insurance partner of the Barclays Women’s Super League and WSL2 in a multi-year deal.
MGA eyes mid-market expansion with FI launch
Specialist underwriting agency Verve Risk Services has launched a new financial institutions team as it continues to expand "its underwriting driven, mid-market specialist business".
Chris Withers steps into head of schemes role at Macbeth
Macbeth has recruited ex-Ecclesiastical leader Chris Withers for the newly created head of schemes and market placement role, to support the next phase of the firm’s long-term growth strategy.
NBS expands into thatched home insurance with Hadron capacity
Managing general agent NBS Underwriting has unveiled a specialist thatched home insurance product, developed in response to broker feedback.
Gallagher’s landlord specialist launches legal protection cover
Specialist landlord insurance provider Vasek has launched a legal protection policy designed to help landlords manage the cost of disputes, legal proceedings and other property-related challenges.
Momentum AR outlines challenges of launching his first business
A new Momentum Broker Solutions’ appointed representative has outlined the challenges he has faced setting up his own business for the first time and why he made the leap.
Broking Success: Vista Insurance Brokers’ CEO Gavin Ruben – leader of PE niches
Gavin Ruben, CEO of Vista Insurance Brokers, has set out the goal of becoming the leader of its specialist mergers and acquisitions insurance niche, along with the other parts of the firm’s 2035 ambitions.
Profile: MGAA’s Mike Keating
Mike Keating, CEO of the Managing General Agents’ Association, looks back on his career in insurance and discusses how the MGA market will continue to evolve.
People Moves: 17 – 21 August 2026
Stay in the loop with the latest insurance personnel moves.
Pets at Home enters insurance market on aggregator
Pets at Home has launched an insurance offering exclusively on Compare the Market.
MGAs can’t afford to not offer digitally traded products – Keating
Launching digitally traded products “has to be the way forward” for managing general agents to meet demand from brokers, according to trade body boss Mike Keating.
Brokers less stressed but Ecclesiastical warns pressures not easing
Stress levels among insurance brokers have fallen for the first time in several years, according to research by Ecclesiastical, but the insurer alerted there is a divide between ages of staff.
Simply Business adds MGA to panel expanding its landlord offering
Simply Business has partnered with Mission-backed commercial and residential property managing general agent Ventis, to expand its landlord insurance offering.
MGAs increasingly important in placing niche fleet, according to broker survey
Waste, hazardous and recycling fleets are the hardest commercial motor segment to place due to limited market capacity, according to 71% of brokers surveyed by Direct Commercial.
Glasgow broker becomes front-of-shirt sponsor for Celtic FC Women
Octo Insurance Brokers has become the official front-of-shirt sponsor for Celtic FC Women for the 2026/27 season, the biggest jersey sponsorship for the team to date.
People Moves: 10 – 14 August 2026
Keep up to date with the latest personnel moves in insurance.
Pen doubles capacity in renewed property owners’ deal
Pen Underwriting has increased its property owner risks capacity, enabling the managing general agent to write £120m in premium over the next three years.
Essex regional review: Local knowledge stands out
Being so close to London, brokers in Essex benefit from the resources of the capital city while also providing local knowledge to customers.
James Hallam steps in as Anthony Jones appoints liquidator
Insurance broker Anthony Jones has appointed joint liquidators, with customers being offered an option to transfer to James Hallam.
Aviva strengthens financial institutions capability across regional network
Aviva has expanded its financial institutions underwriting capability with four FI underwriters located in the Midlands and South, North of England and Scotland.
Chubb boss hails Nicklin “natural choice” for lead role
Chubb has appointed Ed Nicklin as head of the major accounts division for UK and Ireland, as Nick Lee retires.
Allianz Commercial staff restructure came in response to broker efficiency demands
Colm Holmes, CEO of Allianz UK, has highlighted broker requests and market conditions led to the management restructure, as he emphasised the insurer’s best years are ahead.