News Analysis
FCA brings broker role approval turnaround time down to 92 days
The Financial Conduct Authority has begun to improve its turnaround times for approving key general insurance broking roles, bringing the average down to 92 days from 105 days in 2021.
Brokers hit as FCA authorisation sign-off lengthens to 237 days
The Financial Conduct Authority’s authorisation service for new brokers looking to trade general insurance business worsened up to the end of October 2022, a Freedom of Information request by Insurance Age has revealed.
News analysis: The 1/1 reinsurance renewals – What will 2023’s ‘challenging’ reinsurance market mean for UK brokers?
The annual 1/1 reinsurance renewal season might not have been on the list of major concerns of the average UK broker at the start of 2023. But as Rachel Gordon reports it could have a sting in the tail this year when it comes to capacity shrinkage and…
FCA urges bosses to make Consumer Duty top personal priority in Dear CEO letter
Financial Conduct Authority leader Matt Brewis has written to general insurance businesses reminding them to embed the interests of customers into their firms’ culture and purpose.
Brokers urge FCA to avoid property commission ban as decision looms
The Financial Conduct Authority has been urged not to impose a commission ban or cap on brokers as it faces political pressure for tough action.
Romero Insurance Brokers grows turnover and profit over 20% in 2022
Romero Insurance Brokers has posted a 29% rise in profit after tax to £3.84m as turnover soared 25% organically to £13.6m in the year to 30 April 2022.
Brokers key to new UK regulated insurer Lumun’s success, says CEO Bilney
The CEO and founder of the proposed new UK regulated motor insurer Lumun has outlined the importance of brokers to its success.
Aston Lark eyes widespread regional expansion in next phase of growth
Aston Lark will look at opening branch offices as it seeks to expand its regional footprint across the UK, according to UK retail managing director Warren Dickson.
Gove vows commission-chain ban as FCA buildings review on highest charging brokers imminent
A Financial Conduct Authority review into brokers charging the highest commissions for work on buildings insurance is due in just a few weeks as government minister Michael Gove vowed to ban commission-chains and bring in ‘transparent’ fees.
David Howden hails double digit UK organic growth and promises more buys
Howden Group CEO, David Howden, has praised the “very strong” and “across the board” organic growth in the business’ UK “pillars” as he revealed the progress at Aston Lark and A Plan.
Senior managers’ regulatory reform could heap extra costs on firms
Changes to the Senior Managers and Certification Regime could lead to extra regulatory costs, especially if the government pursues a major shake-up, experts have warned.
Stella targeting £300m motor GWP within years, says Sam White
Managing general agent Stella Insurance launched in the UK with a motor offering in November 2022 and is targeting £10m of gross written premium this year, according to its founder and CEO Sam White.
Cardiff City tried to insure Sala after his death in plane crash – Miller says in £10m court case
Cardiff City tried to insure footballer Emiliano Sala just hours after his plane went missing, according to court documents.
Only 14% of smaller SMEs have business continuity plans: Aviva
Aviva has urged brokers to keep having the conversations needed with clients on business continuity plans as the insurer revealed only 28% of firms have one in place.
JMG targets doubling in three years
Having hit £200m gross written premium years ahead of schedule, JMG Group is targeting doubling over the next three years, CEO Nick Houghton revealed to Insurance Age.
Dozens of law firms caught in ‘very difficult’ PI market have closed
Nearly 50 law firms have had to close in just over a year as soaring professional indemnity costs bite hard, according to a legal adviser.
One Broker targeting £4m Ebitda
Norwich-headquartered One Broker has targeted pushing Ebitda above £4m within two years through sustained organic growth and acquisitions, CEO Robin Plaster revealed to Insurance Age.
JMG broker deal costs revealed
JMG Group’s ultimate holding company, Augusta Topco, picked up a bill of £17.26m for buying brokers in the financial year ended 31 March 2022, and followed it up with a further £57.7m outlay in the rest of the calendar year.
Profits more than double and Ebitda soars at One Broker in 2022
One Broker has reported a more than doubling of post-tax profit to £1.2m for the year ended 31 May 2022.
Markerstudy takes £16m hit on its Brightside business value
Markerstudy has taken a £16m hit on the value of its Brightside business, according to the group's latest accounts.
Wayne Tonge takes on major role within PIB Group
Wayne Tonge has taken on the managing director role at PIB-owned Barbon Insurance Group, Insurance Age can reveal.
Morton Insurance buys private hire business of Export & General Insurance Services
Morton Insurance has bought the private hire business of fellow London-based broker Export & General Insurance Services for an undisclosed sum, Insurance Age can reveal.
Shock survey results reveal broker ignorance on Consumer Duty is ‘a big concern’
The findings of a survey, which revealed that nearly half of brokers interviewed were not aware of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Consumer Duty rules, is a ‘big concern’, according to compliance experts.
Start-up broker Prosura targets £10m GWP in five years
Jon Newall’s start-up broker, Prosura, is targeting £10m of gross written premium within five years.