Commercial
Ex-Allianz Commercial boss McGinn to become Dual UK CEO
Dual today announced the appointment of Simon McGinn as CEO of its UK business, subject to regulatory approval.
Gallagher unveils new retail cyber head Sam Cheshire
Gallagher has appointed Sam Cheshire as head of cyber for its UK & Ireland retail division.
Zurich grows graduate programme
Zurich UK has increased its number of graduate opportunities for 2023 while creating new “green graduate” roles in the renewable energy space.
DR&P Group confirms MGA addition in annual results
Private equity-backed broker holding company DR&P Group added a managing general agent to its roster in 2022, buying 80% of MGIC Holdings, the business has confirmed in its annual results.
Brokers urge new Aviva boss Storah to focus on empowerment
Incoming Aviva UK & Ireland GI boss Jason Storah has the chance to build on “solid” foundations and push ahead to deliver more empowered decision-making in the regional market, according to brokers.
Kingfisher snaps up Shepherd Compello motorsport book
Kingfisher Insurance has bought the motorsport book of Lloyd’s broker Shepherd Compello.
Aqueous launches solicitors’ excess layers product
Managing general agent Aqueous Underwriting has secured A+ rated capacity for solicitors on an excess layer basis only, a move it said responded to broker demand in an “underserviced” market.
Aston Lark buys Curtis Marine
Howden-owned Aston Lark has bought Plymouth-based marine insurance broker, Curtis Marine.
Qlaims updates commercial lines offering
Qlaims has enhanced its commercial lines claims assistance services, following feedback from brokers.
Pen Underwriting secures £100m capacity deal
Pen Underwriting has signed a capacity agreement that will allow it to write £100m worth of solicitors’ professional indemnity business over three years.
Markel targets ‘real opportunity’ with construction launch
Markel has developed a new product for the UK construction sector.
London-based 1783 Group joins Brokerslink
Brokerslink has added sports, music and entertainment contingency broker 1783 Group to its network.
Zurich UK hires head of mid-market
The provider has promoted Morgan Lyons to head up its mid-market business division.
Partners& expands into Kent with broker buy
Partners& has bought East Malling-based broker NexGen Insurance Solutions for an undisclosed sum.
Markerstudy 'temporarily' suspends product lines as part of Tradex transfer
Markerstudy has reiterated its “commitment to intermediaries is as strong as ever” amid speculation that it is pulling products from the broker market.
Insurers urged to help nightlife industry amid fears of a capacity crisis
With the UK nightlife insurance market dominated by one capacity provider, industry experts have called for more competition amid fears any scaling back or exit would have severe consequences on the sector.
Allianz commits to investing in local structure to support brokers
“The strength of the Allianz commercial business in the UK is without doubt our local, regional capability in those markets and the ability to deliver,” Allianz Holdings CEO Colm Holmes told Insurance Age.
Profits drop at Allianz Holdings in first half 2023 as GWP tops £2bn
Operating profit fell 5.5% at Allianz Holdings in the first six months of the year to £112.8m as the combined operating ratio deteriorated to 96.6% from 96.0% in the same period of 2022.
Tradex capacity growing to £450m after Pollen Street deal
As part of the Pollen Street Capital acquisition, Tradex’s capacity is growing from around £100m of gross written premium to £450m, Markerstudy group chief underwriting officer Gary Humphreys told Insurance Age.
Seventeen snaffles AR Mint
Seventeen Group has bought up Mint Insurance Brokers, which has been an appointed representative of its broking subsidiary James Hallam since 2020, and unveiled two further purchases.
Hiscox grows UK commercial book as retail division COR improves
Hiscox has reported 4% growth in the UK for the first half of 2023.
Ex-Ardonagh and Gallagher leader Mark Mugge moves from Lucida to Optio
Mark Mugge has left motor specialist broker Lucida Group to be chief financial officer of managing general agent Optio Group.
Markerstudy investor Pollen Street gets PRA approval for Tradex deal
Markerstudy’s owner Pollen Street Capital has completed the delayed purchase of motor trade and taxi specialist insurer Tradex after getting the greenlight from the Prudential Regulation Authority, Insurance Age can reveal.
Rokstone targeting £100m GWP with new A&H division
Rokstone has launched an accident and health division and recruited Darren Delande to lead it.