Commercial
Markerstudy rolls out business division with £200m GWP target
Markerstudy Group has created Markerstudy Business, a commercial insurance division within its distribution arm led by newly appointed CEO Ross Barrington.
Aviva reveals 15 new hires in regional specialty push
Aviva has hired 15 people in its regional specialty segment as it commits to increasing market visibility through deeper, face-to-face engagement with brokers across the regions.
Hiscox maintains UK expansion pace in Q1
Hiscox UK grew written premiums by 8.9% to £181.2m in the first quarter compared to the same period the year before, underpinned by “strong double-digit” growth in its art and private client arm.
Axa makes triple May moves
Axa Insurance UK’s partnership with Commercial Express has gone live, as the insurer also enhanced its risk management proposition for fleets and rolled out a 24/7 commercial motor claims reporting service.
UK a key focus for US consolidator Doxa over next three to five years
The UK will be a focus area for US distribution consolidator Doxa for the next three to five years following the Eaton Gate deal, with sights set on growing the products range, team builds and strategic tuck-in acquisitions.
Clear pushes on with MGA rebrands
Clear has rebranded Accelerate Underwriting as Shape Digital and Thomond Underwriting as Shape Underwriting Ireland in further changes to its managing general agents division.
Biba 2026 Countdown: QuestGates’ Dave Clare
Dave Clare, operations director - building consultancy division of QuestGates, highlights the importance of getting the fundamentals right and raises the possibility of doing a turn singing My Way dressed as a calculator.
Allianz revamps commercial management as Nick Hobbs exits after 25 years
Nick Hobbs is to leave Allianz UK after 25 years with the insurer, stepping down from his roles as chief distribution officer and chairman of Allianz Engineering Inspection Services.
Biba 2026 Countdown: QBE’s Janine Bowler
Janine Bowler, Manchester interim head of trading at QBE, recommends Salut wine bar for an external catch up and is looking forward to the buzz when the event opens on Wednesday 13 May.
WF Risks eyes new branches as CEO bemoans lack of M&A opportunities
WF Risk Group has established a new office in Edinburgh under the sub-brand ‘WF Risk Insurance Brokers’ and is looking at other prospective launches across UK and Ireland headed by further senior hires.
Beazley shareholders give near unanimous approval paving way for Zurich takeover
Beazley shareholders have given the green light for the £8.1bn Zurich deal, with 99.9% of votes cast in favour clearing the way for the transaction to go ahead.
Bspoke seeks more broker growth with quote-and-buy portal roll out
Bspoke Group has rolled out quote-and-buy portal Bspoke Online, stressing it has been developed specifically for brokers to simplify and speed up trading and policy management.
Broking Success: From undesirable to undeniable – Matt McCall, Raw Material Cover
Raw Material Cover founder and CEO Matt McCall describes his journey with his specialist waste and recycling broker as a Cinderella story. He speaks to Jonathan Swift about being invited to the ball at Lloyd’s and the plans for wholesale and…
UK commercial rates dropping even faster
Rate softening in the UK commercial market has hit a new record since the run started just over two years ago, according to the latest figures from Marsh.
Allianz adds to broker hubs footprint
Allianz UK has opened a broker hub at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Biba 2026 Countdown: Zurich’s Morgan Lyons
Zurich head of mid-market at Zurich Morgan Lyons warns Biba first timers not to go too big on night one and believes it is the time for brokers to be laser‑focused on their placement strategies.
Interview: Hiscox UK CEO Jon Dye on plans to create a ‘bigger and better specialist’ insurer
Having joined in 2022 as UK CEO, Jon Dye has certainly made a mark in terms of the Hiscox retail arm’s results and recruitment. Jonathan Swift asks him how he plans to maintain an upward trajectory against the backdrop of a soft market and economic…
Ceta teams with Addept for wholesale rent guarantee products
Digital niche personal lines broker Ceta has launched four rent guarantee products on a wholesale basis underwritten by managing general agent Addept.
Biba 2026 Countdown: Markel UK’s Joanne Sykes
Joanne Skyes, divisional director of UK broker at Markel, recommends brokers choose a specialism, compares Biba CEO Graeme Trudgill to England all-rounder Ben Stokes and bigs up the insurer’s event at Society.
US consolidator DOXA snaps up MGA Eaton Gate in first UK deal
US distribution consolidator DOXA has made its first acquisition in the UK, with a deal for specialist commercial mid-market managing general agent Eaton Gate.
Clear adds to portfolio in Scotland with Spence Insurance
Clear Group has added Spence Insurance, based in Scotland’s Central Belt, to its roster after moving into the country last December.
BDH owner reveals growing losses and turnover in 2025
Salinas Topco, the holding company for Top 100 UK broker BDH, has posted rising turnover in the last financial year and losses reaching £11m.
Coversure expands with faith-based insurance brand Dharam Rakshak
Jensten-owned Coversure has opened its first new office this financial year, with an existing member launching a standalone faith-based brand.
Partners& purchases Newcastle-under-Lyme broker
Partners& has bought Staffordshire-based Amica Insurance Brokers in its third deal of 2026.