Articles by Rosie Simms
Flock CEO Klinger unfazed by 2025 loss as it invests for ‘long-term value creation’
Flock has reported an operating loss of £9.6m in 2025, up from £8.9m the year prior, in its last results before Admiral Group acquired the digital fleet managing general agent.
Pen adds Hiscox to capacity roster with non-standard household deal
Pen Underwriting has entered a multi-year strategic partnership with Zurich and Hiscox for its non-standard household insurance business in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
Howden diversifies with new arm on back of acquisition
Howden has agreed to acquire the insurance and financial services consulting team of Hymans Robertson, marking the formal launch of Howden Insurance Actuarial and Longevity.
Brokers digitally self-servicing hits 90%, Aviva finds
Brokers’ appetite for digital self-service is rising, with 90% now happy to manage business digitally, up 10% year on year, according to Aviva’s latest broker barometer.
Blog: Is an AR boom incoming?
As the number of independent brokers reduces year on year, is the appointed representative model the way forward to bolster competition in the market following years of consolidation? Rosie Simms ponders the question.
People Moves: 23 – 27 March 2026
Follow the latest personnel moves in insurance.
Rotherham-based broker gains Lloyd’s accreditation
Readhunt, based in Rotherham, has achieved Lloyd’s of London broker status.
Ghost broking victims almost double in 2025
The number of victims of motor insurance ghost broking scams leapt by 93% in 2025, according to analysis by Synectics Solutions, as it called for greater cross-organisation intelligence sharing.
Aviva unveils ChatGPT insurance app
Aviva is set to launch an app on ChatGPT where customers can get an initial home insurance quote in just a couple of minutes.
Walker to lead Axa’s combined commercial and retail business following restructure
Axa UK & Ireland has created a general insurance business, Axa Insurance UK, with Jon Walker leading the unified UK commercial and retail business units as CEO.
Top 100 broker Principal grows motorcycle book buying Europa
Principal Insurance has bought Bristol-based broker Europa Group, racing into the top five intermediaries in the motorcycle market.
Biba adds Woodgate & Clark as associate
Loss adjusters Woodgate & Clark has become an associate of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association.
Regional presence tops brokers’ insurer want list
Almost nine in 10 (88%) brokers want to work with insurers with a strong regional presence up 12% year-on-year according to Aviva’s latest Broker Barometer survey.
Broking Success: Tip top service – Mathew Rowles, Malago Insurance Brokers
Following its 10-year anniversary, Malago Insurance Brokers’ founder Mathew Rowles has highlighted the importance of tip top service and being a “proper local broker” servicing all commercial lines needs.
FCA warns of two cloned websites of Gauntlet AR
The Financial Conduct Authority has warned of fraudsters claiming to be Gauntlet appointed representative J L Insurance Solutions, highlighting two extensive cloned websites.
People Moves: 16 – 20 March 2026
Stay in the loop with the latest insurance personnel moves.
Granite launches 25+ vehicle taxi fleet product
Granite Underwriting has launched a 25+ vehicle taxi fleet product, covering private hire and public hire vehicles.
Staffordshire-based broker makes first deal under Momentum Equity Partners
Bartlett James Risk Solutions has purchased fellow Momentum appointed representative IPC, marking the first Momentum Equity Partners deal.
FCA to join Biba on autumn regional tour again
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has confirmed the Financial Conduct Authority will again join its Tour of the Regions in the autumn.
EY creates two UK insurance sub sectors and names new leaders
EY has created two sub sectors, commercial and specialty; and life, pensions and personal lines, in response to the “rapidly changing shape of the UK insurance industry”.
Rural and commercial broker launches in Devon
Alan Tate-Smith has launched AMB Rural and Commercial, specialising in agricultural insurance risks, as an appointed representative of FUW Insurance Services.
Markel raids another senior hire from Axa and one from Intact
Markel Insurance has hired from Axa again appointing Joanne Foreman as head of broker change, and taken Laura Fox from Intact.
Japanese insurer Mitsui Sumitomo completes 15% investment in W.R. Berkley
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance has completed its acquisition of 15% of W. R. Berkley Corporation’s common stock.
Brokers asking MGAs for more digital products
Brokers are asking for more digital products and greater transparency in capacity tenures from managing general agents, according to MGAA boss Mike Keating as he highlights an uptick in incubator start-ups.