Commercial
Covid and inflation costs bite as QBE International COR ticks up to 92.5%
QBE International has reported a combined operating ratio of 92.5% for 2022, which is up from 90.6% in 2021.
Premier Choice Healthcare buys Visibly Health and further PMI portfolio
Global Risk Partners-owned Premier Choice Healthcare has bought Visibly Health and, separately, a book of business controlled by self-employed consultant Gill Nicholson.
Allianz reveals £32m December freeze hit and CEO Holmes predicts rate hikes to continue
Allianz Holding has revealed the impact of the winter weather on its bottom line, as CEO Colm Holmes forecast that the Q3 and Q4 rating hikes would continue into 2023.
Operating profit falls almost 60% at Allianz Holdings in 2022
Allianz Holdings has posted a 58.3% drop in operating profit to £132.3m for 2022 as its combined operating ratio deteriorated year on year from 93.2% to 99.2%.
Brit-owned Ki doubles GWP in second year of trading to almost £700m
The Brit-owned algorithmically driven Lloyd’s syndicate Ki has more than doubled its gross written premium to $834.1m (£698.6m) in 2022 – its second year of trading, reporting a combined operating ratio of 99.4%.
Two deals in a week as GRP buys Henshalls
Global Risk Partners has ramped up its acquisition spree again, buying Shropshire-headquartered Henshalls Insurance Brokers for an undisclosed sum.
Hamilton Fraser makes first buy under GRP ownership
Hamilton Fraser has bought London-based commercial lines broker Edmondsons.
DR&P buys Lloyd Bolam
DR&P Group has bought Macclesfield-based Lloyd Bolam Insurance Brokers for an undisclosed sum.
WTW achieves 3% organic broking growth in 2022
WTW has reported 3% organic growth in risk and broking revenues for 2022 boosted by a 5% rise in the final quarter of the year.
Meet the MGA: Fusion Specialty UK
As Fusion Specialty UK begins trading, managing partner Josh Cowen and partner Sam Shirley discuss why technology is key to their plans for the SME-focused mergers and acquisitions MGA.
Zurich UK’s P&C operating profit drops to £226m in 2022
Zurich UK’s operating profit from property and casualty business fell £145m year-on-year to £226m in 2022 due to claims inflation and the impact of large losses.
Aston Lark strikes deal to buy Allegiance Insure
Howden-owned Aston Lark has agreed terms to buy Allegiance Insure in its first acquisition of 2023.
Barbon aims to double £21m earnings in five years
Barbon aims to double its current £21m Ebitda over the next five years, new managing director Wayne Tonge has revealed to Insurance Age.
Apollo partners with Moonrock on drone facility
Apollo will be providing capacity to Moonrock Drone Insurance for a facility designed to provide cover for larger commercial drone operations.
Broking Success: Prospering with a positive mindset
CEO Daniel Lloyd-John tells Insurance Age about the journey of Broadway Insurance Brokers, a 2020 start-up success story despite launching during Covid lockdown.
Specialty MGA UK buys commercial forest and plantation specialist
Recently launched Specialty MGA UK has expanded through the purchase of Forest Re.
Interview: Warren Dickson, Aston Lark
Aston Lark UK retail managing director Warren Dickson says the broker is a different period of expansion with office openings ahead. Navigating the struggling UK economy is also a challenge, but one he is up for.
News analysis: The 1/1 reinsurance renewals – What will 2023’s ‘challenging’ reinsurance market mean for UK brokers?
The annual 1/1 reinsurance renewal season might not have been on the list of major concerns of the average UK broker at the start of 2023. But as Rachel Gordon reports it could have a sting in the tail this year when it comes to capacity shrinkage and…
Aon reports 4% commercial organic growth for Q4 2022
Aon has posted $2.59bn (£2.11bn) of profit for 2022, up from $1.26bn the year before when it was hit by over $1bn of costs from the failed merger with Willis Towers Watson.
Brokers urge FCA to avoid property commission ban as decision looms
The Financial Conduct Authority has been urged not to impose a commission ban or cap on brokers as it faces political pressure for tough action.
Start-up The Yorkshire Broker targets SME
A new commercial insurance broker, The Yorkshire Broker, which is set to launch officially in the SME market in February has shared its frustration over the Financial Conduct Authority’s lengthy application process.
Gove vows commission-chain ban as FCA buildings review on highest charging brokers imminent
A Financial Conduct Authority review into brokers charging the highest commissions for work on buildings insurance is due in just a few weeks as government minister Michael Gove vowed to ban commission-chains and bring in ‘transparent’ fees.
David Howden hails double digit UK organic growth and promises more buys
Howden Group CEO, David Howden, has praised the “very strong” and “across the board” organic growth in the business’ UK “pillars” as he revealed the progress at Aston Lark and A Plan.
Hayes Parsons snaps up PI broker
Hayes Parsons Group has bought Bristol-based professional indemnity specialist Ntegrity Insurance Solutions.