News Analysis
FCA improves all broker-impacting authorisation metrics
The Financial Conduct Authority has built on its steady progress in delivering authorisations with an across-the-board improvement in the areas affecting brokers.
Movo to launch network for directly authorised brokers
Movo will launch Movo Fusion, a network for directly authorised brokers, in the coming months with a pilot starting on 1 June Insurance Age can reveal.
Movo weighing up options for investment partner
Movo Investment Group has been holding talks with potential investors as the appointed representatives network, technology and broker owner positions for growth, Insurance Age can reveal.
A-Plan boosts revenue and turnover in run-up to rebrand
A-Plan achieved double-digit growth in turnover and profits in the run-up to rebranding as Howden, a filing at Companies House has revealed.
Ecclesiastical seeks further schemes growth with new broker tool
Ecclesiastical has launched a digital portal, Schemes+, for brokers to help them manage their schemes more effectively, Insurance Age can reveal.
Flock partners with Acorn on taxi fleet insurance product
Insurtech Flock has partnered with the Acorn Group to launch a taxi fleet insurance product in an aim to make the world “quantifiably safer” by helping customers reduce risk, CEO of Flock, Ed Leon Klinger told Insurance Age.
Biba weighs in with “grave concerns” on FCA ‘name and shame’ proposals
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has called on the Financial Conduct Authority to consider the risk of the damaging impact its proposal to name firms at the start of an investigation could have and flagged the danger of serious injustice for…
Hug Hub extranet offering sold to Endeavour Ventures
Endeavour Ventures has bought Hug Hub’s commercial lines focused digital quote platform, Extranet Hub, Insurance Age can reveal.
Dual to open two UK offices as McGinn’s regional push gathers pace
Howden-owned managing general agent Dual will be opening two offices in the UK within a year, aiming for 12 to 15 staff in each to build its regional broker business, Insurance Age can reveal.
Aviva to open branches in Chelmsford and Southampton
Aviva is to open offices in Chelmsford and Southampton, delivering on its promise to set up two new branches this year, Insurance Age can reveal.
Jensten secures £170m boost to fund acquisitions with a sale still anticipated
Jensten has secured over £170m in funding over the past six months to help fund a series of upcoming strategic acquisitions and organic growth initiatives with a sale still on the horizon.
Zurich strikes five-year capacity deal with MGA Freedom Services
Zurich has signed a five-year capacity deal with MGA Freedom Services that will see both re-enter the telematics market, Insurance Age can reveal.
US fronter Hadron set to onboard first UK MGA in Q2
Altamont-backed hybrid insurer Hadron is aiming to change the reputation of fronters to businesses that priortise sensible and measured underwriting rather than just scale.
Bspoke sets marker with £5.17m turnover in inaugural accounts
Bspoke Insurance Group has forecast returning to profit after achieving £5.17m of turnover but post-tax losses in its first five months of trading since being formed out of UK General and Precision Partnership.
17% of brokers report unprofitable quarter to FCA financial resilience survey
An average three-month net profit of £22,636.50 has ranked insurance brokers and intermediaries as the third most profitable sector in the latest Financial Resilience Survey by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Clear spending tops £100m in 2023
Clear spent £102.4m snapping up 10 businesses in the year ended 31 October 2023, the most in its history and around double the year before.
Applied updates on commercial push
Applied Systems has confirmed Arch Insurance is about to enter the pilot phase of onboarding and will be live on the Applied Epic broker management system in April, with Iprism and Ark to follow and more promised in 2024.
Sabre to ride on in motorcycle with broker deals after MCE collapse
Sabre is in discussions with larger motorcycle brokers and confident of adding two new partners towards the end of 2024 and into next year, CEO Geoff Carter told Insurance Age.
Broker worries bubbling up on Ageas-Direct Line but one hope trumps all
Brokers have raised concerns about the impact on the sector if Ageas snaps up Direct Line but expressed confidence in the potential buyer’s management should a deal come to pass.
Trade Credit Insurance is again in the spotlight. How can brokers take advantage?
Described as a ‘sleeping giant’ of the insurance market, brokers should wise up to the opportunities offered by trade credit. Especially, as Martin Friel discovers, recent geo-political events mean this vital safety for businesses is edging to toward the…
FOI request pulls back the curtain on FCA’s broker S166s
A Freedom of Information request by Insurance Age to the Financial Conduct Authority has revealed further details on the spike in insurance skilled persons reports.