Management
Axa and Zurich reorganise management and operations
Axa and Zurich have revealed the results of internal restructures.
Business insolvencies fall in November but research shows North – South divide
The latest Insolvency Index from Experian has revealed that the rate of business insolvencies fell to 0.07% in November 2010, down from 0.09% in November 2009, with businesses in southern England faring better than their northern counterparts.
Broker leaves RBSI in management buyout
RBS Insurance (RBSI) has agreed to sell Devitt Insurance Services to its existing senior management team, lead by managing director William Hughes.
Higos announces bold growth plan with senior appointment
Higos Insurance Services has appointed a retail branch director as part of ambitious plans to add 20 high street branches in the next three years.
Zurich restructures UK business
Zurich has announced changes to the organisational structure of its UK general insurance (UKGI) business in a bid to bolster its accountability to the market.
Reportage - training delivery: Digital vs. face to face
Traditionally, training has been about face-to-face contact but there has recently been an increase in online offerings, which claim to provide the same quality of tuition with less cost and increased convenience. Edward Murray looks at the pros and cons…
Management clinic - Bonuses: Rewarding behaviour
Finances at my firm are difficult, which has led to my outlining to employees that they will not receive Christmas bonuses this year. How can I go about keeping them motivated and, most importantly, productive through this busy time?
2010 round-up - Professionalism: The year of the professional
This year saw the launch of PB's and Post's Investing in the Profession campaign to promote a new era of professionalism, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.
News analysis - Coaching: Asking the right questions
Emmanuel Kenning asks if questions rather than answers can help brokers build a successful business.
News Analysis - Ireland bailout: Ireland on the brink as UK exposures rocket
The bond markets continued to punish Ireland as fears of contagion spread in the Eurozone, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.
Business insolvencies down 17%
The latest Insolvency Index from Experian has revealed a 17% year-on-year drop in UK business insolvencies during October.
CPI inflation rate creeps up to 3.2%
The Office for National Statistics has revealed that the consumer prices index rate for October crept up to 3.2% from 3.1% in September.
Inflation to stay above 2% for all 2011, says Bank of England
The Bank of England’s latest quarterly Inflation Report has stated inflation is unlikely to fall below 2% before 2012 due to the upcoming VAT increase and rising import prices.
News: Large-scale pension reforms loom
If you do not have a pension scheme in place, then now is the time to act, as a series of state-mandated reforms is set to bite following the Spending Review.
News Analysis - Conferences: Prime Minister announces £200m university and enterprise link
This year's Chartered Management Institute and Confederations of Business Industry conferences pulled in the big hitters as business leaders attended to work out how best to plan for the period of austerity ahead.
Technology Viewpoint - Document Processing: Urban myths: the paperless office
Anthony Macciola explodes the notion of the paperless office and lays out what steps insurance brokers can take to handle the ever-increasing amount of paper cluttering their organisations.
News Analysis - PB Management Event: Planning for the recovery
Emmanuel Kenning reports on the key management information on offer to attendees at PB's annual conference.
Focus - Management Structures: Building a board
Without a great team in the boardroom, any broker, regardless of size, is missing a trick that can pay long-term dividends for their business, writes David Waller.
Management Clinic - Due Diligence: What's in the box?
We have the opportunity to make our first acquisition of any size and it looks like a good fit. How can we be sure of what we are buying?
Management Clinic - Employee procedures: Off the leash
An employee has completed a deal for a partnership with another company without consulting the relevant internal parties or gaining my permission as the managing director. How should I go about disciplining the employee in question, keeping in mind the…
Viewpoint: Spending Review demands wise heads
Managers have had a difficult year, facing not only continued economic uncertainty and the lowest-recorded levels of employee morale but also the recently announced Comprehensive Spending Review, signalling the biggest business shake-up in decades.
How to complete an MBO: Successful successions
MBOs provide a fantastic opportunity for management teams to get a taste of acquisition activity in a familiar market. Mike Pawson gives guidance on how to ensure the deal runs smoothly.
Reportage - High net worth: Because they're worth it
HNW was once the preserve of specialist brokers and insurers but there has recently been an increase in this type of business being transacted online. Louise Meeson asks if HNW clients and their prized possessions can really be taken care of without…
Legal: Social media do’s and don’ts
Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are valid tools for public-facing communications, though their ubiquity and ease of use present some dangers, writes Emma Bate.