Insight
Ecclesiastical delivers major COR improvement with sub 80% in UK and Ireland
Ecclesiastical Insurance improved its combined operating significantly in the UK and Ireland last year as underwriting profits more than doubled.
People Moves: 17 – 21 March 2025
Stay in the loop with the latest insurance personnel moves.
Holt to succeed Haynes as director of underwriting at Arag
Nathan Holt will take over as director of underwriting at legal expenses insurer Arag when David Haynes becomes CEO at the start of April.
Gallagher promotes Smith to broking and placement MD
Gallagher has promoted Stephen Smith to managing director of broking and placement for its UK & Ireland retail division.
Alps boosts add-ons product suite
Managing general agent Alps has launched commercial excess protection.
Matcham retires as IUA CEO after 20 years with Jones stepping up
Chris Jones has been appointed as International Underwriting Association CEO succeeding Dave Matcham, who is retiring after 20 years in the role.
Howden buys Scottish broker
Howden Scotland has bought Edinburgh-based SKB Independent Insurance Brokers.
Lloyd’s CEO hails “outstanding financial performance” in 2024
Lloyd’s has confirmed gross written premium of £55.5bn in its 2024 results, up 6.5% from the year before.
Biba announces Anthony Joshua keynote session at conference
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has announced a keynote session with former heavyweight boxing world champion Anthony Joshua on the second day of its upcoming conference.
Which? calls out ongoing “hefty” premium finance charges
Consumer champions Which? have branded premium finance rates currently being charged by many insurers as “difficult to justify”, especially with car insurance where it found a third of rates are above 25%.
Ageas CEO Middle on elevating onto the podium with broker growth
Ageas has its strongest pipeline of opportunities with brokers ever as it targets growing to be a podium player, CEO Ant Middle told Insurance Age.
Sabre CEO Carter on growing profitably with brokers
With over 70% of Sabre’s business going through brokers, CEO Geoff Carter has hailed the insurer’s performance and promised there is more to come.
Bspoke buys insurtech Arma Karma
Bspoke Group has bought Colchester-based monthly insurance subscription insurtech Arma Karma.
Sabre in first share buy-back as profits soar in 24
Sabre has posted a 5% rise in gross written premiums as profit after tax nearly doubled in 2024.
Zurich targets £250m of GWP after extending relationship with MGA
Zurich UK has extended its capacity agreement with Plum Underwriting for a further five years, with ambitions to reach £250m GWP over the term.
Jensten launches new network
Jensten Group has launched a new broker network.
FOI reveals smaller broker involvement in FCA’s first Consumer Duty board reports review
The Financial Conduct Authority included 34 firms from the insurance sector in its review of the first annual Consumer Duty board reports, a Freedom of Information request from Insurance Age has revealed.
Clear recruits ex-Willis international CEO as COO
The Clear Group has appointed Simon Smith as group chief operating officer.
MGAA boss Keating weighs in as broker survey backs dedicated MGA regulation
A recent survey of insurance brokers has shown backing for the establishment of a dedicated regulatory framework for MGAs, with 68% agreeing that the Financial Conduct Authority should regulate MGAs separately from insurers and brokers.
Peach and Alan Boswell partner on complementary therapy scheme
Peach and Alan Boswell Group have struck their second partnership as the Top 100 Broker aims to grow its bespoke scheme for complementary therapists.
Interview: Phil Bayles, Ardonagh Advisory CCO
Phil Bayles tackles the plans for the rebrand of Ardonagh Advisory to Everywhen, shares insights on digital trading, the rise of AI and his expectations for rate movements in 2025.
Q&A: Christy Chisholm, group sales and marketing director at Clear Group
With 100 days in the role after joining Clear Group from Premium Credit, group sales and marketing director Christy Chisholm reflects on the initial challenges, successes and her work with the British Insurance Brokers’ Association promoting insurance as…
Aviva Broker Community Fund shares £235,000 with 28 good causes
Aviva has announced the 28 winners of the 2024 Aviva Broker Community Fund sharing a pot of £235,000.
People Moves: 10 – 14 March 2025
Follow the latest personnel moves in insurance.