News Analysis
Somerset Bridge swings to Ebitda profit as turnover doubles in 2023
Arch Reinsurance-owned Somerset Bridge Group trimmed post-tax losses in 2023 to £13m from £32m the year before, as it moved into positive Ebitda territory.
PIB reveals costs of record 26 deals in 2023
PIB spent £331.9m on a record 26 deals in 2023 as the consolidator expanded in the UK and across Europe.
MUM founder Charles Manchester to retire from Pen
Charles Manchester, founder of Manchester Underwriting Management, is retiring from the business this month, Insurance Age can reveal.
FCA trims broker fees hike to 9.3%
The Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed it is raising the financial contribution of the general insurance mediation fee block by 9.3% for 2024/25, down from its initial projection of a 9.8% increase.
C-Quence seeks to “unleash” digital tools and target schemes after Sompo tie-up
C-Quence is looking to “unleash the breadth” of its digital capabilities and target more schemes business having switched capacity provider for its property and casualty and property owners propositions.
The stats: Q1 2024 - Commercial combined slows to near halt
The year has started with almost no average premium growth in commercial combined while fleet and property owners have powered ahead, according to the latest statistics from Acturis.
Are new regional insurer offices the silver bullet to improve broker service?
The insurer retrenchment from the regions might have stopped and indeed been reversed in some cases, but as Ida Axling discovers, new branches, whilst welcome, are not the answer to all the issues over broker service.
AUB boss looks to leverage scale as it invests in Momentum
Howard Pepper, founder and managing director of Momentum Broker Solutions, is “excited” by access to the London market through Tysers, after Sydney-based owner AUB signed up to buy a 40% stake in the appointed representatives network.
C-Quence switches from NIG to Sompo on P&C
Managing general agent C-Quence has added Sompo as capacity provider for its property casualty and property owners propositions, Insurance Age can reveal.
Whistleblowing to FCA increases
The level of whistleblowing to the Financial Conduct Authority increased in the first quarter of the year, reversing previous declines.
Clegg Gifford to open branch in Tunbridge Wells as network buildout continues
Clegg Gifford is targeting £5m gross written premiums per branch as it looks to open a new location in Tunbridge Wells and relocated its Bristol branch, Insurance Age can reveal.
Devitt posts rises in year of MCE collapse
Motorcycle specialist Devitt Insurance Services grew turnover by 3.3% in 2023 as profits leapt to £4.03m.
Experts call for vigilance in ever-changing cyber risks landscape
Panellists at the Financial Times Global Insurance Summit yesterday called for more education on and prevention of cyber risks.
Filing pinpoints Arag growth in 2023
Arag boosted the number of risks placed by 3.6% in 2023 to 3.09m, a filing at Companies House has revealed.
Howden to remain private but IPO not ruled out in future
Howden is “very happy” being private at the moment but could be listed at some point in the future, according to CEO and founder David Howden.
Sabre boss Geoff Carter on supporting brokers to compete in an ever more competitive world
Motor specialist Sabre is making “big investments” in insurer hosted pricing with a rollout this year and into 2025 to deploy sophisticated rates into the broker market, CEO Geoff Carter told Insurance Age.
Lloyd & Whyte 2023 deal totals revealed
Lloyd & Whyte made four acquisitions in 2023 at a cost of £6.5m, as the previous purchase of SEIB helped boost turnover to £47.93m.
The stats: Fleet racing ahead at record rate
The latest statistics from Acturis have shown the fleet market bucking the trend on premium increases. Whereas almost all other lines have seen hardening falling away, fleet has surged on, up by 7.9% – the highest quarterly rise on record.
FOI confirms broker S166s including one financial crime review
A Freedom of Information request by Insurance Age to the Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed four broker S166s, indicated they were most likely smaller-sized firms, and revealed one of the reviews fell into the category of financial crime.
Reminder – The 2024 UK Broker Awards deadline is 7 June
With a deadline of 7 June you have just over a week left to get your entries in for the 2024 UK Broker Awards.
Uncorking the Great British wine market – the insurance of vineyards
David Harrison, viticulture specialist at NFU Mutual, shares his thoughts on meeting the insurance challenges facing the booming winery and vineyards sector.
Simply Business boosts profit 42% in 2023
Xbridge, which trades as Simply Business, achieved double-digit profit and revenue growth in 2023.
Industry pays tribute to former colleague Geoff Kitchen, who died on Singapore Airlines flight
Theo Duchen and Lloyd Hanks have expressed their sympathies for Geoff Kitchen and his family after he died on the Singapore Airlines flight hit by turbulence yesterday.
Brown & Brown retail CEO Carter exits
The CEO of Brown & Brown’s retail division Duncan Carter has left the business, Insurance Age can reveal.