News
CII members give thumbs down to FCA CPD proposal
The Chartered Insurance Institute has found significant opposition to the Financial Conduct Authority’s proposal to end the requirement for insurance employees to do a minimum of 15 hours training and development a year.
SRG buys Generation Underwriting from WF Risk Group
Specialist Risk Group has bought Newcastle-based managing general agent Generation Underwriting from WF Risk Group.
Brokers brought into scope of FCA’s bullying and harassment misconduct rules
The Financial Conduct Authority is extending the scope of serious bullying and harassment in financial firms qualifying as misconduct to around 37,000 regulated firms, including insurance brokers.
Simply Business operating profit soars almost 90% in 2024
Xbridge, which trades as Simply Business, increased operating profit to £45.91m for the year ended 31 December 2024, up almost 90% from the previous year.
Home insurance premiums fall 3.8% in Q2
Home insurance premiums continued to fall in the second quarter of 2025 with the average top five prices down by 3.8%, according to Pearson Ham.
Aviva names Owen Morris UK personal lines CEO as Direct Line deal completes
Owen Morris has been appointed CEO of UK personal lines at Aviva as the Direct Line takeover went through.
Superscript to enter motor market as it targets £120m GWP by 2028
Digital insurance broker Superscript is gearing up to enter the motor market as it aims to treble its gross written premium to £120m in three years.
FCA confirms £38.8m broker fees for 2025/26
The Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed brokers will contribute £38.8m to its £783.5m budget for 2025/26.
MBC rebrands to Clear Insurance Ireland
McAuliffe Barry & Collins Insurance (trading as MBC Insurance and Techinsure.ie) has rebranded as Clear Insurance Ireland.
Acrisure rebrands Scottish brokers
Affinity Brokers has become the first of Acrisure’s Scottish insurance brokers to rebrand, after being bought by the consolidator in 2023.
Credit and political risk broker completes EOT switch
The Texel Group, a credit and political risk insurance broker, has completed its transition to 100% employee ownership through the creation of the Texel employee ownership trust.
CMA greenlights Aviva’s takeover of DLG
The Competition and Markets Authority has today cleared Aviva’s takeover of Direct Line Group.
MGA backer Accelerant files for IPO in US
Risk exchange platform and capacity provider Accelerant, a major player in the UK managing general agents market, has revealed plans for an IPO in the US.
Thomas Carroll grows turnover and profit in inaugural EOT year
Thomas Carroll Group boosted turnover by 7.1% to £15.61m in 2024, with profits also rising in its full first year as an employee ownership trust.
Hiscox launches cargo API
Hiscox has launched a cargo application programming interface-based solution, available through broker partners for underwriting small cargo and stock throughput risks.
Ardonagh closes latest $2.5bn investment round
The Ardonagh Group has today completed a $2.5bn (£1.83bn) equity investment led by funds managed by Stone Point Capital, the US-based private equity firm.
Starpeak renews binder with Axa XL’s UK and Lloyd’s business
Digital distributor of specialist insurance products, Starpeak, has renewed its binder arrangement with Axa XL’s UK and Lloyd’s business, marking the 10th year of the partnership.
Ripe tops £20m turnover in 2024
Manchester-based digital managing general agent Ripe grew turnover by 15.7% in 2024 to £20.6m.
French broker opens in the UK as it approaches 180 year anniversary
French insurance broker Filhet-Allard Maritime has expanded into the UK opening a London office.
Biba launches AI guide to help members
The British Insurance Brokers has launched a new guide, sponsored by Markel, to help members understand how artificial intelligence might be beneficially incorporated into their business.
Atec adds four to panel for InsureMy motorhome
Atec Group has refreshed its InsureMy range of motorhome products with Axa, Sabre, Allianz and KGM joining its panel.
People Moves: 23 – 27 June 2025
Follow the latest personnel moves in insurance.
Shuker moves to deputy chair, succeeded by Kennedy as CEO of Howden UK and Ireland
Robert Kennedy has been named CEO of Howden UK and Ireland to take up the role on 1 October, when Carl Shuker will become deputy chairman.
Profits, revenue and R&D spend all up at Acturis in 2024
Acturis grew revenue by 14.9% to a record £165.49m in 2024 as profits went up and research and development spend also rose in a year that private equity firm Astorg boosted its investment in the software house.