Broker
Aston Lark snaps up Scottish broker
Bruce Stevenson has been bought for an undisclosed sum and CEO Edward Bruce will now lead Aston Lark’s operations in Scotland.
Inflexion reveals fresh broker investment following Bollington sale
PE firm backs DR&P Group with intention to support the broker to grow organically and through acquisition.
Pressure mounts on government to underwrite live events
Broker-led group pushes for more support as March deadline for festivals to get insurance looms.
Budget: Broking M&A could be affected by changes to Entrepreneurs’ Relief
What might the Budget have in store for brokers? Close Brothers’ Paul Trail considers the possibilities.
Ardonagh buys specialist M&A broker
Hemsley Wynne Furlonge, which will be bought by Ardonagh subsidiary Hamilton Investment Bidco, brings £10m of revenue and 17 staff to the group.
Meeting private equity: Andy Marsh of Beech Tree
In our continuing series, Beech Tree founder, Marsh talks through the investor’s interest in UK insurance distribution and its investment into managing general agent Avid Insurance.
Ex-Aviva boss Mark Wilson to lead insurtech venture after merger with Complete Cover Group
Motor insurtech Abacai launches with backing from Complete Cover owner Sun Capital and sees Wilson take charge as CEO alongside a leadership team including two executives from CCG.
Jensten moves in for second deal this month
It has bought Advance Insurance Agencies to act as a specialist personal lines hub for its franchisees and broking operation.
FCA finalises guidance on vulnerable customers
The regulator highlights that 27.7m UK adults could be categorised as vulnerable as it promises to hold firms to account for failures.
GRP snaps up Ipswich-based broker
Five Insurance Brokers specialises in the construction, manufacturing and process, haulage, motor trade and warehousing sectors and will become an appointed representative of GRP.
Blog: The light at the end of the tunnel?
Stuart Kilpatrick, of Burns & Wilcox, a HW Kaufman company, considers how the tough market could evolve in a post-Covid world.
Aston Lark buys Kent-based Sennocke
Deal includes two niche brands - Self-Build Zone and Build-Zone - as well as technical surveying and risk management business Build-Zone Survey Services.
Some progress but still problems as Lloyd’s publishes culture survey
Since the last survey in 2019 4% of workers have witnessed sexual harassment, despite the 2020 lockdown, and just 57% feel concerns are listened to.
MCE commits to AI underwriting
The specialist motorcycle broker is using artificial intelligence to provide precision pricing and bundle quote, policy and claims data.
Blog: How could the Spring 2021 Budget affect insurance brokers?
With the Budget looming, PKF Littlejohn’s tax lead, Chris Riley, gives Insurance Age readers a first look at his predictions and considers the tax threats to brokers including IPT, VAT, corporation tax and the EIS scheme.
People Moves: 22 - 26 February 2021
Stay up-to-date with the latest personnel change in insurance.
Consolidators running out of M&A targets
IMAS analysis highlights “sobering conclusions” for buyers as potential targets diminish but broker M&A still reports record year in 2020.
Mike Bruce lifts lid on GRP’s Marsh Networks deal
Bruce discusses growth plans for the networks business, what members will see differently following the acquisition and how GRP plans to add some “extra oomph” to the proposition.
Aston Lark reveals two fresh deals
The acquisitions will add £50m in annual premium income to Aston Lark, which says it is now set to become one of the biggest private medical insurance brokers in the UK.
Blog: Moving on from ‘I just fell into insurance’
Gallagher’s Claire Davies considers how the industry can begin to attract school leavers and make insurance a career choice instead of a happy accident.
Analysis: Are we moving towards market failure for high-rise buildings?
PI and property rates were hit hard following the Grenfell fire horror. Martin Friel investigates the wider insurance implications but is met with deafening silence from providers as brokers sound the alarm.
Rock develops underwriting agency to target brokers
Tigon focuses on travel and Covid-19 cancellation cover as Rock seeks to diversify.
"Bold move" for GRP as it buys Marsh's UK Networks business
The takeover, which includes Marsh ProBroker, Bluefin Network and Purple Partnership, will see David Hopwood continue to lead the combined networks business as part of the GRP executive team, as group CEO Mike Bruce promises there will be no redundancies.
BLW boss Brett Sainty joins Biba advisory board
Sainty joins the International and Wholesale Brokers’ Advisory Board, which provides advice and counsel on matters affecting international and wholesale market brokers and acts as a sounding board to the main Biba board.