Broker
Deal volume up but M&A value down in 2023, says MarshBerry
The value of UK insurance distribution deals fell to £3.9bn in 2023, down 8% on the year before, despite M&A volume returning to record levels, according to MarshBerry.
Markerstudy gets CMA greenlight to complete £1.2bn Atlanta deal
The Competition & Markets Authority has cleared Markerstudy to pursue its proposed £1.2bn acquisition of Ardonagh-owned personal lines broking arm Atlanta.
Broking Success: Embracing technology
Mark Thomas, founder of Compare Insurance, is looking to harness the power of technology even further to continue the pace of 60% growth the business achieved last year.
Insurance M&A up in 2023 with brokers driving the change
There were 232 insurance mergers and acquisitions in the UK & Ireland last year, with broking and service providers contributing 203 of the total, according to research by FTI consulting.
NFP expands in PMI with Get Medical Plans buy
NFP has purchased Get Medical Plans, a private medical insurance intermediary, with founders Marc Benjamin and Sanjeev Mallipeddi staying to lead and manage the London-based business.
Ian Lloyd on growing Iprism and delivering for brokers as Biba’s new partner
Ian Lloyd, CEO of Iprism, has promised brokers consistency and standout service, having signed up to be the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s high-value home insurance scheme provider.
Meet the MGA: Qualis
From an internal MGA within Genworth Mortgage Insurance to a subsidiary of AmTrust, Qualis managing director & CEO Roberta Brunelli explains how data helps it to predict future losses and its plans for product and capacity diversification.
Ecclesiastical grows UK & Ireland book but underwriting profit slips in 2023
Ecclesiastical Insurance upped its gross written premium in the UK and Ireland by 15.9% last year to £399.7m, but its combined operating ratio also rose to 92.1% from 87.1% in 2022.
Brunel expands into East Anglia with Liability and General Insurance Brokers buy
Brunel Insurance Brokers has bought the renewal rights to Framlingham-based Liability & General Insurance Brokers.
Momentum profit soars 60% as revenue also leaps
Momentum Broker Solutions increased profit before tax by 60% to £1.8m last year as it grew revenue to £15.23m from £11.69m in 2022.
Clear grows Ebitda by a third
Clear Group grew its Ebitda by 33.4% to £19m, with revenue jumping to £74.7m in the year ended 31 October 2023.
Close Brothers posts more than £1bn premium finance book
Close Brothers Group has reported “record” first half levels in its premium finance book of £1.04bn for the six months to 31 January 2024.
Kingfisher opens broking HQ in West Midlands
Kingfisher Insurance has opened its national broking headquarters in Rubery, Birmingham, housing its motor trade, commercial, and non-standard home insurance teams.
Biba appoints Julie Comer as head of compliance
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has recruited Julie Comer from Lloyd & Whyte as head of compliance.
Sabre to ride on in motorcycle with broker deals after MCE collapse
Sabre is in discussions with larger motorcycle brokers and confident of adding two new partners towards the end of 2024 and into next year, CEO Geoff Carter told Insurance Age.
Broker worries bubbling up on Ageas-Direct Line but one hope trumps all
Brokers have raised concerns about the impact on the sector if Ageas snaps up Direct Line but expressed confidence in the potential buyer’s management should a deal come to pass.
Insurance leaders stay optimistic on growth, says KPMG
Insurance leaders remain optimistic about growth but trail banking and asset and wealth management bosses who are even more upbeat, according to a survey by KMPG UK.
Trade Credit Insurance is again in the spotlight. How can brokers take advantage?
Described as a ‘sleeping giant’ of the insurance market, brokers should wise up to the opportunities offered by trade credit. Especially, as Martin Friel discovers, recent geo-political events mean this vital safety for businesses is edging to toward the…
Fair value not a Trojan Horse for price regulation, says FCA boss Nikhil Rathi
The onus on firms to satisfy themselves about fair value under the Consumer Duty is “not a Trojan horse for price regulation”, according to Nikhil Rathi, CEO of the Financial Conduct Authority.
Axa launches schemes directory
Axa Commercial has launched an online directory to help brokers navigate the niche schemes market.
PSC confirms takeover talks as consolidators tipped to swoop
Australia-headquartered PSC Insurance, a Top 100 broker in the UK, has confirmed being approached by multiple parties and in talks regarding a possible buyout.
Markerstudy rebrands broking arm
Markerstudy Broking has been renamed to Markerstudy Distribution to encapsulate the range of products and services across the whole division, the business has confirmed.
Fire safety reinsurance facility to launch on 1 April
A reinsurance facility aimed at increasing competition in the insurance market for properties affected by dangerous cladding and other fire safety issues has been unveiled ahead of launching on 1 April.
Academy pivoting to commercial with five more deals in pipeline, says CEO Normand
Buying Premierline has “dramatically” shifted the balance of Academy’s book from 50% personal lines to two-thirds commercial with the broker targeting 90% in the sector through a people-first string of acquisitions, according to CEO Gilles Normand.