Broker
H.W. Wood rebrands to HWS Specialty after sale to Steadfast
London-headquartered specialist wholesale broker H.W. Wood has rebranded to HWS Specialty after being snapped up by Steadfast Group.
Broker confidence in non-standard market waning, says Prestige
Managing general agents remain pivotal in non-standard but there are “mixed signals” in broker confidence, according to a survey by Prestige Underwriting.
Blog: Starting gun fired on JMG deal
The question isn’t so much who would want JMG – because frankly who wouldn’t – as what type of deal is coming? Emmanuel Kenning ponders the options.
People Moves: 17 – 21 March 2025
Stay in the loop with the latest insurance personnel moves.
Gallagher promotes Smith to broking and placement MD
Gallagher has promoted Stephen Smith to managing director of broking and placement for its UK & Ireland retail division.
Howden buys Scottish broker
Howden Scotland has bought Edinburgh-based SKB Independent Insurance Brokers.
Biba announces Anthony Joshua keynote session at conference
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has announced a keynote session with former heavyweight boxing world champion Anthony Joshua on the second day of its upcoming conference.
Meet the MGA: Aspect
Following its recent brand refresh Oli Williamson, co-founder and chief underwriter, explains how Aspect is seeking to expand its core mid-corporate market offering into new areas such as terrorism and cyber – with an eye very much on how it can leverage…
Which? calls out ongoing “hefty” premium finance charges
Consumer champions Which? have branded premium finance rates currently being charged by many insurers as “difficult to justify”, especially with car insurance where it found a third of rates are above 25%.
Zurich targets £250m of GWP after extending relationship with MGA
Zurich UK has extended its capacity agreement with Plum Underwriting for a further five years, with ambitions to reach £250m GWP over the term.
Jensten launches new network
Jensten Group has launched a new broker network.
FOI reveals smaller broker involvement in FCA’s first Consumer Duty board reports review
The Financial Conduct Authority included 34 firms from the insurance sector in its review of the first annual Consumer Duty board reports, a Freedom of Information request from Insurance Age has revealed.
Clear recruits ex-Willis international CEO as COO
The Clear Group has appointed Simon Smith as group chief operating officer.
MGAA boss Keating weighs in as broker survey backs dedicated MGA regulation
A recent survey of insurance brokers has shown backing for the establishment of a dedicated regulatory framework for MGAs, with 68% agreeing that the Financial Conduct Authority should regulate MGAs separately from insurers and brokers.
Peach and Alan Boswell partner on complementary therapy scheme
Peach and Alan Boswell Group have struck their second partnership as the Top 100 Broker aims to grow its bespoke scheme for complementary therapists.
Interview: Phil Bayles, Ardonagh Advisory CCO
Phil Bayles tackles the plans for the rebrand of Ardonagh Advisory to Everywhen, shares insights on digital trading, the rise of AI and his expectations for rate movements in 2025.
Q&A: Christy Chisholm, group sales and marketing director at Clear Group
With 100 days in the role after joining Clear Group from Premium Credit, group sales and marketing director Christy Chisholm reflects on the initial challenges, successes and her work with the British Insurance Brokers’ Association promoting insurance as…
People Moves: 10 – 14 March 2025
Follow the latest personnel moves in insurance.
Ardonagh Advisory opens 2025 M&A account with Anderson & Co
Ardonagh Advisory has snapped up Blackpool-based Anderson & Co (Insurance Brokers), kicking off its buying for 2025.
Private equity firm takes minority stake in Seventeen Group
European mid-market private equity firm IK Partners has signed up to take a minority stake in Seventeen Group, marking its entry into the UK insurance market.
Hundreds of millions at stake as “wave of broker claims” predicted after Hastings tribunal win
Experts have predicted a “wave of broker claims” against HMRC potentially worth hundreds of millions of pounds following a recent decision at a First tier Tax Tribunal.
In Depth: How can brokers future-proof their placement strategies?
Aligning risks properly with the appetite of insurers and MGAs is key to maximising the effort and time brokers spend with their placement strategies. Edward Murray explores how this can also mitigate issues should an agency be withdrawn.
FCA scraps D&I rules plan and delays non-financial misconduct update
Regulators have ended work on proposed rules and expectations aimed at improving diversity and inclusion in regulated firms.
FCA cancels broker’s permissions
The Financial Conduct Authority has cancelled the ability of George Baker (Insurance Brokers) to carry out any regulated activities, with immediate effect.