Broker
Biba news: Joanna Lumley closes Biba conference
Actress Joanna Lumley OBE captivated a packed auditorium for well over an hour during the closing session of this year's Biba conference.
Broker reveals plans to double in size
Wigan-based Alker Brothers, which is part of Cullum Capital Ventures (CCV), has rebranded as Alker Insurance Brokers and moved offices in a bid to double in size in three years.
Northern Counties makes non-exec appointment
Mark Wood, managing director of UKGI, has joined Northern Counties Insurance Brokers in a non-executive advisory capacity.
Invicta makes four acqusitions
Invicta Insurance Services has made four acquisitions, which are all effective from 1 June 2010.
Market Watch: Sporting chance
With the 2012 Olympics looming large on the horizon, Emmanuel Kenning delves into the many and varied risks surrounding the insurance of sports clubs.
The PB Interview: New model broker
Andrew Tjaardstra meets Stuart Williams, a director at Nottinghamshire-based broker Cowens Survival Capability, who is passionate about brokers promoting their professionalism to clients and wants to charge his clients fees for his services.
Focus: Outsourcing for profit
From IT to human resources and claims management, recession-affected margins could be improved by outsourcing - no matter what the size of your company, writes Sam Barrett.
Broking Success: In the face of adversity
Emmanuel Kenning meets the founders of Baker Jayne, who set up their brokerage in the teeth of the worst recession since World War II and managed to make a profit in its inaugural year.
Management Clinic: Securing the stamp of approval
We have the opportunity to expand into Europe but, after all the bad publicity about passporting surrounding an Irish insurer recently, is it a good idea?
Editor's Comment: Brace yourself for the Budget
Gross domestic product figures were revised upwards to 0.3% growth for the first quarter, suggesting that the UK is on its way back to steady growth. Yet, despite politicians sorting out a coalition government in fast-forward compared to many of our…
Viewpoint: Can there be a claims coalition?
With the UK seeing its first coalition government for half a century, are there lessons to be learned for the insurance industry when it comes to collaboration for the collective good?
Technology: Commercial e-trading starts to come of age at Biba 2010
Emmanuel Kenning reports on the excitement at this year's industry conference at London ExCeL, where brokers beat a path to access the cost-saving, revenue generating technology on offer from software exhibitors.
News Analysis: Brokers swarm ExCeL at Biba 2010
Emmanuel Kenning reviews a successful Biba conference at which brokers networked with insurance leaders and debated what the future holds under the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government.
News Analysis: Employee stress costing UK plc
With businesses losing billions of pounds in productivity, Emmanuel Kenning reports on effective steps that broker managers can take to combat the problem of mental ill health in the workplace.
FSA extends PPI complaint window
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has announced a temporary rule to give customers, who recently made a complaint about their payment protection insurance (PPI) policy, more time in which to refer their complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service …
ICO warns of data breach risk
With the number of personal information data breaches reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) reaching 1,000, the privacy watchdog is urging organisations to minimise the risk of mistakes.
Chase Templeton hires marketing team
Blackburn-based insurance intermediary Chase Templeton has announced the appointment of Alec Broughton as head of marketing and Gillian McCammon as marketing manager.
QBE set to double commercial property book
QBE looks set to double the size of its commercial property book as it closes in on a deal that could see it snatch £40m worth of business from Axa, Insurance Age has learnt.
MMA reveals new regional team
Broker insurer MMA has named the team that will lead its new regional office in Chelmsford.
Schemes: British Insurance MPPI offering
Towergate-owned British Insurance has launched a new mortgage payment protection insurance policy.
Schemes: Allianz Insurance engineers R K Harrison contract win
Allianz Insurance has landed a five-year contract to underwrite wholesale broker R K Harrison's print and engineering schemes as the broker looks to broaden its appetite in the sector.
Polly C
The British Insurance Brokers Association's (Biba) annual conference always provides Polly with a plethora of titbits and this year was certainly no different. It was a gamble to hold it in London as there had been fears that the accompanying social…
News review: May
Former insurance broker turned MP, Andrew Stephenson, described being an intermediary under the labour Government as a "nightmare".