News Analysis
NFP moving from Applied to Acturis in UK
NFP is leaving Applied Systems for Acturis in the UK, managing director of commercial insurance at NFP Europe John Paul Allcock has revealed to Insurance Age.
Allianz confirms broker commitment amid job losses
Allianz has promised no disruption to the way it serves brokers and reiterated its long-term commitment to the sector as it goes through the process of cutting 650 jobs in the UK.
Insurers and MGAs line up to support brokers amid Applied Epic exit
Insurer and managing general agent leaders have committed to help brokers deal with the impact of Applied Systems cutting Epic from the UK market.
Brokers disappointed by Applied pulling Epic out of UK market
Insurance brokers have expressed sadness, disappointment and concerns about a hit to competition following Applied Systems withdrawing its Epic solution from the UK broker market.
Applied’s UK Epic withdrawal a “sad day” for brokers
Applied Systems pulling its Epic offering from the UK underlines how competitive the market is but is sad news for brokers and staff, according to experts.
CEO calls for SMEs to be at ‘heart’ of growth plans ahead of Spending Review
The Chancellor’s Spending Review this afternoon will be a “defining moment” for Britain’s 5.5m small businesses, according to the boss of a top 20 insurance broker.
AssuredPartners deal still expected to close in second half of the year, says CEO Pat Gallagher
Gallagher is “playing it right down the middle of the fairway” with the US Department of Justice and still expects to close the deal for AssuredPartners in the second half of the year, according to CEO Pat Gallagher.
Markerstudy Distribution eyeing up consumer lending opportunities
Markerstudy Distribution is investigating the possibility of moving into consumer lending, CEO Emma Rawlinson told Insurance Age.
Freedom sells broking arm to top 100 broker to focus on MGA business
Niche motor specialist One Sure Insurance has acquired fellow Top 100 UK broker Freedom Brokers, Insurance Age can reveal.
National brokers lead the way on climate guidance with regional firms lagging
Two-thirds of regional and provincial brokers do not provide any climate-related guidance to clients, according to research by Ecclesiastical, while the same amount (65%) of national brokers do so, Insurance Age can reveal.
Motor MGA faces uncertain future after Accredited does not renew binder
CPD Underwriting Solutions has become one of the latest motor MGAs to face an uncertain future due to the withdrawal of capacity.
Axa bosses Walker and Zweibrucker on growing with brokers in commercial and retail
The commercial and retail divisions of Axa Insurance in the UK are growing, the respective CEOs have confirmed, outlining plans to expand with brokers over the rest of the year and beyond.
Analysis: Is the era of offshore capacity over, or is it poised for a comeback?
High profile casualties such as Gibraltar-based Enterprise Insurance Company (2016), and Danish providers Alpha (2018) and Gefion (2021) meant offshore capacity came under scrutiny at the end of the last decade. Today there appears to be less noise about…
Staying one-step ahead in HNW with Aviva’s transformation – Owen
“We are always making sure we want to be one step ahead,” Ann Owen, managing director of Aviva Private Clients, told Insurance Age as the provider refreshed its product suite with the launch of Refine Home.
Zurich CEO Jaksic hails speed of broker service as key in softening market
The need for speed when it comes to broker service has been exacerbated in the softening commercial market, according to Zurich UK CEO Drazen Jaksic.
Peach grows in 2024 as NPAI moves back into profit
Peach, a trading style of NPA Insurance, grew net premiums by 70% in 2024 as it ceded less business to reinsurance.
Accelerant boss Radke on 30% MGA growth and enabling brokers to ‘monetise every opportunity’
Risk exchange platform and capacity provider Accelerant is aiming to support managing general agent members with 30% growth over the next 12 months, CEO Jeff Radke told Insurance Age.
Biba 2025: Laura Hancock urges independents not to give up
Laura Hancock, managing director of Yutree Insurance, has urged independent brokers not to give up, as she acknowledged regulation and other factors being difficult at the moment.
Biba 2025: FCA hoping approach will help build confidence in firms
The Financial Conduct Authority hopes firms build confidence in their knowledge of customer service and outcomes, as opposed to undertaking a “tickbox” exercise, delegates at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference in Manchester heard…
Biba 2025: Making MGA-capacity relationships flourish
Allowing managing general agents the freedom to act independently is the key to a productive insurer-MGA partnership, according to Pen Underwriting CEO Tom Downey.
Biba 2025: Allianz to sell pet insurance through brokers
Allianz is planning to enter the broker pet insurance market, Insurance Age can reveal.
Biba 2025: The new era for insurance broking with AI and MGAs
Artificial intelligence will not replace advisers, but will add to decision making, while managing general agents will continue to become increasingly relevant to brokers, delegates at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference heard today.
Acrisure UK boss happy with deal pipeline as he dismisses “myth” of diminishing targets
The boss of Acrisure’s UK retail business has rebuffed suggestions it has missed the boat in terms of having the best pick of suitable broking acquisitions – and pointed to its ownership structure and “myth” about size of potential target base as factors…
Commercial Express to add Axa and Carbon capacity as it unveils MGU plan
Managing general agent Commercial Express has signed capacity deals with Axa and Carbon Underwriting, Insurance Age can reveal, as it progresses to become a managing general underwriter and targets doubling in size.