Commercial
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.
RSA slips to half-year loss
RSA Insurance Group has reported a £9m post-tax loss for the first half of 2023, slipping into the red after a profit of £192m in the same period last year.
MGA Eaton Gate targets “next stage of growth” with SiriusPoint capacity
MGA group Eaton Gate has announced a new partnership with SiriusPoint, the specialty insurer and reinsurer.
Swindle targets doubling Ardonagh UK commercial MGA in three years
Ardonagh’s UK Commercial MGA CEO Jaime Swindle is targeting doubling the size of the business in the next three years taking it into the region of £500m gross written premium.
Howden’s Dual swoops for bloodstock MGA
Dual has bought David Ashby Underwriting, a specialist bloodstock and high-value sports horse insurance managing general agent.
Aviva expands appetite to boost sustainable building projects
Aviva has expanded its underwriting appetite to include engineered timber in commercial developments following a pilot, which saw it working with a handful of developers on sustainable building projects.