Commercial
Consolidation of the consolidators next step as broker M&A targets reduce
IMAS director John Nisbet discusses how consolidators can continue to grow and warns that private equity backers could move on from the sector as a result of a “diminishing opportunity” in the broking market.
Aviva risk report highlights broker role
Insurance Age takes a first look at the Aviva Risk Insights Report which considers Covid-19, Brexit, cyber, climate change and the part of brokers.
SRG adds MGA CLS Risk Solutions to stable
It is the fourth deal this year for Specialist Risk Group and adds £30m in GWP to the business.
PIB buys Staffordshire broker in second deal of 2021
Element Hinton specialises in construction, waste, engineering and leisure and the deal follows investment into PIB by Apax Partners.
Third deal in a week for Aston Lark
Bristol-based broker Venture Insurance has joined the Peter Blanc-led business.
Aviva’s Covid-19 BI claims exposure down to broker wordings
GI CEO Colm Holmes says provider has taken a proactive approach to paying claims as he discusses how Aviva was impacted by the BI test case and comments on its 2020 results.
Aviva's UK operating profit falls in 2020
CEO Amanda Blanc sees opportunities for "material growth" in the UK market as commercial lines premiums continue to grow.
MGA Generation Underwriting signs capacity deal
The deal doubles property capacity for the MGA which is part of broker Willis IRM.
JM Glendinning buys Staffordshire broker
JM Glendinning has acquired specialist insurance services firm Nowell & Richards for an undisclosed sum.
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.