Broker
Mervyn King warns UK economy facing “choppy” recovery
The Bank of England has cut its growth forecasts for the UK economy to around 3% for the next two years, down from its previous prediction of around 3.5%.
Beachcroft calls FSA’s PPI policy statement ‘very bad news’
Law firm Beachcroft has criticised the FSA’s policy statement on payment protection insurance.
Ace joins PowerPlace panel
Ace has joined PowerPlace’s panel of insurers and will be making its directors & officers’ product available from 24 August.
Video: Axa claims MD puts weight behind broker levy fight
Axa's managing director of claims, David Williams, talks to Insurance Age about the FSCS levy and insurer responsibility for PPI mis-selling.
Brokers targeted with new PowerPlace appointment
Online commercial insurance marketplace PowerPlace has appointed Darren Rowe as sales director.
RPC research shows FSA resignations up 128% in a year
There has been a 128% leap in the number of staff resigning from the Financial Services Authority in just one year as the government proposes to abolish the regulator, according to city law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.
Insurance rates fall across EMEA, says Marsh
Insurance rates have fallen for certain classes of business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) during the first half of 2010, according to research.
Groupama's broking business revenue remains flat
Combined revenues of Groupama Insurance's UK broking businesses have remained relatively flat at £33.3m during H1 2010 (H1 2009: £34.1m).
Commission seeks input on reforming broker liability
The Law Commissions of England and Wales and of Scotland are seeking views on whether section 53 of the Marine Insurance Act 1906 is still needed.
Howden appoints law firms to surveyors’ panel
Lloyd’s broker, Howden, has created a panel of law firms to provide a range of legal services to its surveying clients. The panel members are Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, Beale and Company, Weightmans and CMS Cameron McKenna.
RSA half year results show premiums up 9%
RSA has announced UK net written premiums of £1.5bn in the first half of 2010, up by 9% compared with the same period of 2009. However, it added its combined operating ratio had slipped from 97.4% to 98.9% for the comparable periods as a result of severe…
Exeter-based broker targets South west with Devon acquistion
Fidelius Insurance Services has acquired Devon-based Ottery Insurance Services for an undisclosed sum.
Broker jailed for £1m fraud
Timothy Barker, formerly of Lloyd's broker Besso, has been jailed for three and a half years for tricking bosses into paying him extra money.
PB Week: Footballing lessons
My boys have to learn the offside rule this year. This season the team is progressing from playing mini soccer (seven a-side) to 11 a-side football, carrying England's future hopes and dreams with them.
Director leaves Aon to head up Torus' UK casualty team
Torus has expanded its casualty platform with the appointment of David Whyman as senior vice president, UK head of casualty, based in London.
Carbon Offsetting: Carbon offsetting in vogue
It is impossible to avoid emitting carbon, so paying someone else to make a carbon saving is an increasingly popular choice.
Legal: The opportunity of uncertainty
The vague Green Economy Bill is not an excuse for the industry to ignore climate change risks, rather to take a lead in tackling the problem and grab a big opportunity, writes Lindene Patton.
Viewpoint: The carbon challenge
Climate change remains controversial for broking. Either it is not discussed or it is addressed in the context of new business opportunities such as renewable energy. Regardless of a broker's positioning on climate change, it has become a regulatory…
Insurance revenue grows 9% at Moneysupermarket
Moneysupermarket has reported a 9% increase in insurance revenue to £40.6m for the six months to 30 June 2010 (H1 2009: £37.1m).
Willis report predicts further insurance rate softening in power sector
Insurance rates in the power sector are expected to soften further in 2010, despite the existence of many of the conditions that would normally lead to a hardening market, according to the latest Power Market Review from Willis.
Marsh reports rise in risk and insurance revenue
Marsh & McLennan has reported a rise in risk and insurance services revenue to $1.5bn for Q2 2010, an increase of 9% from the same period last year or 1% on an underlying basis.
E-commerce: Towergate Affiliate offers brokers financial incentive
Towergate is offering a commission incentive to brokers that use its new affiliate website.
E-commerce: Swift Assure quote-and-buy facility targets high-profile users
Leicester-based online broker startup Swift Assure has announced the launch of a new quote-and-buy facility.
E-commerce: Groupama pilots ‘first stand-alone PI cover for SMEs’
Groupama Insurances has expanded its Optima online product range with the pilot launch of what it claims is the first stand-alone professional indemnity (PI) cover for small to medium- sized enterprises (SMEs).