Insurer
Ex-Hiscox HNW boss Holmes’ new broker employer revealed
Specialist Risk Group has recruited Hiscox’s former high net worth broker boss Nicola Holmes.
Aviva partners with Towergate on caravan cover
Ardonagh-owned Towergate has teamed up with Aviva on caravan, park and leisure homes.
Two specialty MGAs set to merge
Managing general agents Nirvana and Pulse have announced plans to merge their businesses.
News analysis: What does Aviva’s commission flex move mean for brokers and their customers?
In February, Aviva told brokers using e-trading platforms Fast Trade and Acturis E-Trade that they could set their own commission rates within set parameters of between 0% and 35%. Saxon East explores what this move means for brokers, their customers and…
Meet the MGA: MX Underwriting
Ian Cook, managing director at MX Underwriting, explains why he believes MGAs are not suffering a capacity crunch, and outlines plans to write in excess of £200m GWP in 2025 and add to MX’s product range and capability.
Matt Williams named UK and Ireland CEO at Allianz Trade
Matt Williams, currently regional credit director for Allianz Trade in Northern Europe, is moving to be CEO in the UK and Ireland succeeding Sarah Murrow.
Deal-linked Esure swings back to profit
Motor and home insurer Esure, previously touted as takeover target for Ageas, Allianz and Aviva, moved back into the black in 2024 with a £57.7m post tax profit reversing a loss of £60.1m the year before.
HDI takes Breese from Arch as cyber leader
HDI Global UK and Ireland has recruited Marcus Breese as head of cyber underwriting, joining from Arch Insurance International.
MGA adds Hiscox to non-standard property panel
NBS Underwriting has added A-rated capacity from Hiscox to its non-standard household product panel.
Confidence on growth stays stable as regulation remains to the fore
Around nine in ten leaders continue to feel upbeat about growth prospects for the second quarter of 2025, according to the latest findings in the KPMG UK Financial Services Sentiment survey.
Lloyd’s bound Convex releases 2024 results
Convex Group grew gross written premiums by 22% last year to $5.17bn (£4bn) as its combined operating ratio improved to 87.6% from 89.6% in 2023.
Hiscox aims to be insurer of choice on schemes as it targets double-digit growth
Hiscox has set its sights on being the insurer of choice on schemes business in its chosen sectors, and is targeting double-digit growth, according to head of schemes Natasha Pettet.
Meet the MGA: Optio Underwriting
With an aim to be the most admired global specialty MGA, Optio Underwriting group CEO Deepak Soni outlines how it attracts top talent, plans to mix organic growth with M&A and discusses the importance of having a PE backer that understands the subtle…
Mitsui Sumitomo to buy 15% stake in W.R. Berkley
Japanese insurer Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance has signed up to buy 15% of the shares in New York Stock Exchange listed W.R. Berkley Corporation.
RSA cutting up to 250 jobs in Peterborough following personal lines exit
RSA has put 250 jobs at risk in its Peterborough office over the next two years, following the insurer’s decision to exit the personal insurance market first announced in December 2023.
People Moves: 24 – 28 March 2025
Keep up to date with the latest insurance industry personnel moves.
Iprism grows again with a 21% boost in 2024
Managing general agent Iprism Underwriting Agency grew 21% in the year to 30 June 2024, building on the 16% achieved the year before, and is eyeing up further expansion in 2025.
Allianz Commercial appoints CUO and CTO
Allianz UK has appointed Adam Lloyd from Allianz Australia as chief underwriting officer in Allianz Commercial and promoted Claire Buck to the newly created role of chief technical officer for the division.
Aviva to open regional underwriting branch in Cardiff
Aviva is opening a new regional underwriting branch in Cardiff to service brokers and clients in South Wales, Insurance Age can reveal.
FCA to consult on removing minimum training and development hours in insurance
The Financial Conduct Authority will open a consultation this summer including on the definition of SME used in the insurance market as part of its ongoing review of Consumer Duty rules.
Broker confidence in non-standard market waning, says Prestige
Managing general agents remain pivotal in non-standard but there are “mixed signals” in broker confidence, according to a survey by Prestige Underwriting.
Interview: Mike Bottle, managing director of the Arch Insurance UK regional division
After a decade of transformation, multi-award-winning Arch is very much open for business with brokers and ready for more profitable growth across its regional network, hub and digital offerings, boss Mike Bottle tells Insurance Age.
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.