News
Former Westinsure member joins rival network
The Purple Partnership has signed its 50th member, former Westinsure broker, Fletcher Smith Insurances.
Federation of Small Businesses welcomes bank lending announcement
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed the news that the banking sector has agreed to increase lending to small businesses.
Banks commit to 15% increase in lending to SMEs
The Government has welcomed a commitment by the UK's biggest banks on lending expectations and capacity which will focus on small to medium-sized enterprises (SME).
Phil Bird leaves Groupama
Groupama Insurance’s claims director, Phil Bird, is to leave the company following an internal restructure.
Powerplace hit by Reed departure
Towergate-owned trading platform Powerplace has confirmed the departure of chief executive Matthew Reed.
Jelf focuses on boosting personal lines offering
Jelf has appointed Antony Summers as managing director of its personal lines business reporting directly to chief executive of insurance Phil Barton.
THB reports 32% increase in broking profit
THB Group has reported a 5% rise in fees and commission to £48.4m (2009: £46.2m) for the year ended 31 October 2010.
Allianz creates new sales and partnerships role in Speciality Retail
Allianz Retail has recruited Simon Masding as head of sales and partnerships for its Speciality Retail division.
Brightside building commercial aggregator
Brightside Group has confirmed that it will be using newly acquired technology company Quote Exchange to build a commercial insurance comparison site.
Ancile pushes into niche travel market with Sun Selection buy
Direct travel broker Ancile Insurance Group has acquired specialist insurance brand, Sun Selection.
Brightside buys aggregator technology firm Quote Exchange
Brightside Group has agreed to buy Quote Exchange for £3.7m in cash and just under 1.4m ordinary shares in Brightside.
Ex-Towergate trio reunited at Barbon
Barbon Insurance Group has confirmed the appointment of Brett Sainty as its new head of business for Cadogan Keelan Westall.
ECIS targets brokers through new affinity division
Electrical Contractors’ Insurance Services (ECIS) has announced the creation a new affinity group division.
HSB focuses on North London with new development hire
HSB Engineering Insurance has appointed Chantell Scott as development executive with a focus on North London and the surrounding areas.
Aon announces fall in UK broking income
Aon has reported a 3% fall in UK retail broking income to $629m (£392.1m) in the year ended 31 December 2010 (2009: $650m).
New LEI product tailored for smaller landlords
Arc Legal Assistance has teamed up with Swinton Commercial to launch a commercial rental guarantee product for semi-professional landlords.
Markel International sees GWP grow but COR deteriorate
Markel International has announced it achieved $709m (£436m) of gross written premiums (GWP) for the year to 31 December 2010 (2009: $641.20m).
National broker welcomes Bribery Act delay
JLT’s D&O liability team has welcomed the delay to implementation of the Bribery Act claiming there is too much uncertainty around the Act.
Biba hits out at FSCS levy rise
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has hit out at this year's over 50% increase in the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) levy.
Brokers hit by further FSCS levy rise of over 50%
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has announced that the general insurance mediation sub-class will have to contribute £93.5m in 2011/12 a 57% increase over last year’s levy (2010/11: £59.6m).
CEO for new broker regulator unveiled
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has appointed Martin Wheatley as the new managing director of its Consumer and Markets Business Unit.
Accident Exchange slashes debt by £50m
Accident Exchange, the accident management company, has reduced its debt by £50m in a debt for equity deal.
Brightside expects to meet stock market profit expectations
Brightside Group has announced that it expects to meet stock market expectations of £6.5m-£7m in profits after tax for the year ended 31 December 2010.
Enforcement welcome but lacks bite says motor industry
The insurance industry has delivered a mixed response to recent government forays into uninsured driving and the cost of insurance in the sector.