Commercial
South Korean insurer ups stake to 40% in specialty underwriter
Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance has entered into an agreement to purchase an additional 21% equity stake in the Canopius Group, bringing its shareholding to 40%.
CEO calls for SMEs to be at ‘heart’ of growth plans ahead of Spending Review
The Chancellor’s Spending Review this afternoon will be a “defining moment” for Britain’s 5.5m small businesses, according to the boss of a top 20 insurance broker.
MGA aims to ‘mitigate underinsurance’ with Lloyd’s-backed product
Aurora, the specialist algorithmic managing general agent, has launched a new property owners’ insurance product.
RSA unveils new commercial MD as Bryson departs
RSA has appointed Tovah Grosscurth as commercial lines managing director with immediate effect, subject to regulatory approval.
Clear brings three Sheffield businesses under one roof
The Clear Group has relocated its three Sheffield businesses into one office at Meadowhall Business Park in the city.
Hiscox launches affirmative AI cover for tech businesses
Hiscox UK has updated its insurance for technology businesses to include affirmative cover for AI-related claims.
Aviva first to launch on Acturis Unify
Aviva is the first insurer to join Acturis’ artificial intelligence and data-driven placement strategy tool Unify.
ERS appoints new MD
Specialist motor insurer ERS has promoted Martin Hall to the new role of managing director, taking responsibility for the performance of Lloyd’s Syndicate 218.
Zurich FOIs reveal workplace theft declining
A total of 4,562 workers were caught stealing from their workplace in the last year, data released by Zurich UK has revealed.
Miller completes AHJ buy
Miller has completed the acquisition of AHJ Holdings, the ultimate parent company of Alwen Hough Johnson and AHJ Europe.
Freedom sells broking arm to top 100 broker to focus on MGA business
Niche motor specialist One Sure Insurance has acquired fellow Top 100 UK broker Freedom Brokers, Insurance Age can reveal.
Peach grows appetite in hairdressing scheme expansion with Starpeak
Peach has extended its backing for Starpeak’s hairdressing insurance offering to include property cover.
Dickson Group buys Northern Ireland broker
Dickson Group has made its first purchase of 2025 snapping up DTM Insurance Brokers based in Holywood, Northern Ireland.
New MGA to target recruitment companies
Acies MGU has created a new managing general agent, Acies Specialist Schemes, launching with an offering for recruitment companies.
Aspect grows product range again with liability offer
Managing general agent Aspect has broadened its product range with liability cover now being offered alongside property risk underwriting.
Interview: Keith Hector, Covéa
Keith Hector, commercial lines director at Covéa, looks to make e-trade limits more flexible, highlights “buoyant” schemes business, and teases new products as he targets £200m GWP in 2025.
British businesses embracing AI – QBE
More than 9 in 10 UK businesses (95%) are now using artificial intelligence or looking into it, according to research by QBE.
The stats: Q1 2025 sees commercial rates flattening, as experts predict market softening
Property owners and fleet premiums continue to rise but at a slower pace, while combined liability rates dip into negative figures in Q1 2025, according to the Acturis Commercial Broking Index. Ida Axling reports.
Rokstone launches international casualty division
Managing general agent Rokstone has launched an international casualty division, recruiting again from Convex to lead the new offering.
National brokers lead the way on climate guidance with regional firms lagging
Two-thirds of regional and provincial brokers do not provide any climate-related guidance to clients, according to research by Ecclesiastical, while the same amount (65%) of national brokers do so, Insurance Age can reveal.
Cotty eyes Bristol becoming Thomas Carroll’s largest region
Gareth Cotty, group chief commercial officer at Thomas Carroll, details the agility in being independent, opportunities for the Bristol office to become its largest region, and notes further buys and office expansions are not off the table.
Motor MGA faces uncertain future after Accredited does not renew binder
CPD Underwriting Solutions has become one of the latest motor MGAs to face an uncertain future due to the withdrawal of capacity.
Leicester-based broker strikes first acquisition
GOAT Insurance has purchased the full book of business from IGG Insurance, marking its first buy.
Superscript partners with Toolstation
Digital insurance broker Superscript has teamed up with Toolstation, one of the UK’s largest suppliers of tools, accessories and building supplies, to deliver the retailer’s customers access to a new insurance offering.