Commercial
Aston Lark buys Magenta Insurance
The MGA is chartered and based in East Anglia.
GRP’s Newstead buys local broker
GRP purchased Birmingham-based Newstead in January this year and described it as a “flag in the ground” in the city as it seeks to build its presence.
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.
Pressure mounts on government to underwrite live events
Broker-led group pushes for more support as March deadline for festivals to get insurance looms.
Avid swoops for specialist construction MGA
Deal for IIGL will see Avid diversify into four new specialisms as the MGA's GWP reaches £75m.
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.
Interview: Ecclesiastical's Richard Coleman
MD of UKGI, Richard Coleman, tells Insurance Age about the provider's plans to modernise its brand and discusses the business interruption test case and Ecclesiastical's approach to working with brokers.
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.
Blog: how brokers can protect themselves from cyber threats
With cyber attacks growing in frequency, alongside stricter data regulation, Alex Haynes of CDL explains how brokers can ensure they don’t become victims of cyber criminals.
Iprism develops unoccupied property product
The MGA said it developed the proposition in anticipation of a spike in empty properties due to post-Covid disruption.
Blog: Resilience in action
Large swathes of the UK’s SME sector have been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, but many have also been able to adapt, survive and reshape with the support of their brokers, writes Tom Hill, Executive Director at Aqueous Underwriting.
RSA UK COR deteriorates to 101.8%
The insurer said the UK figures were “heavily impacted” by Covid-19 and, excluding the pandemic the UK COR was 95.8%, as CEO Hester reflects on group performance since 2014 and flags exit.
Beazley reveals digital push with new business unit
Beazley Digital was developed in response to growing demand for e-traded products from brokers and clients and will be led by COO Ian Fantozzi.
ERS posts surge in profit for 2020
COR also improved, while GWP was down on 2019 after a number of products lines were "materially affected" by Covid-19.
D&O specialist MGA Rising Edge set for "imminent" launch
Provider to bring new capacity to the London Market at a time of "unprecedented upheaval" in the D&O sector, with the aim to reinvent the way the industry operates.
Axa UK & Ireland P&C COR improves to 96.2%
The provider’s 2020 results showed that, despite a fall in revenue, COR improved as P&C business in the UK reports growth in personal motor and commercial lines.
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.
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.
Ageas reports 95.2% COR
The improved position was down to lower motor claims due to the lockdown as the insurer reports growth in broker deals for household and commercial.
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.
WTW and Liberty Specialty Markets launch reputational crisis product
The proposition enables transfer of financial risk and is powered by AI data analysis.
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.
Broker wordings behind Allianz's Covid-19 BI claims hit
UK CEO Jon Dye discusses the business interruption test case and why communication with brokers is critical, after Allianz revealed its total impact of Covid-19 BI claims in 2020 was £175m, net of reinsurance.