News
Hastings Direct in no rush to roll out branch network
Hastings Direct has denied speculation that its branch network plans have been shelved following continued delays to the project.
Acturis teams up with Summit Partners for European focus
Acturis has sold a minority stake in the company to 'growth equity' firm, Summit Partners, as it embarks on a European expansion strategy.
Industry divided over repercussions of rising IPT
The increase in Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) announced in the Government's emergency Budget has met with mixed reactions.
Two FSA heads jump ship following plans to reform
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has been hit by two senior resignations as the coalition Government announced its plans to reform the regulatory system in the UK.
Halliwells in takeover talks amid cash crisis
Halliwells, the insurance litigation specialist, has confirmed it is in talks to sell the business after filing a notice to the courts of its intention to appoint an administrator.
Uncertainty for aggregator as CEO position remains vacant
Tesco Compare has refused to confirm whether it will fill its vacant chief executive position and has hinted that the site, which was heralded to become a top aggregator, may be marketed solely to the supermarket's customers in the future.
Light at the end of the FSCS levy tunnel?
It remains unclear whether brokers left reeling by huge increases in the Financial Services Compensation Scheme will be able to seek a retrospective reduction from the regulator.
Budget hits brokers hard
Brokers face a raft of additional costs following the coalition Government's emergency budget.
Markel's insurance arm gets thumbs up from AM Best
A.M. Best has upgraded the issuer credit rating of Markel International Insurance Company (MIIC)
Lloyds to axe 650 jobs
Lloyds Banking Group has announced the cuts as part of a "number of changes within its retail, insurance and group operations divisions".
PB Week: All that hype
Well the World Cup is now about halfway through and it is a good time to reflect on how well it is going so far writes David Grant, deputy underwriter and head of distribution and operations at Equity Red Star.
QBE combines London Market personal accident teams
QBE has announced the merger of its direct and reinsurance personal accident teams to create a single London market unit with a combined GWP of £45m, operating out of Lloyd’s.
Henderson secures £4.5m finance facility
Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets has revealed that it provided Henderson Insurance Brokers with a £1m finance facility to aid its acquisition of Leeds-based broker Denny O'Hara.
Amlin strengthens specie team
Amlin has appointed James Farquhar as leading class underwriter, specie, with a brief to build up the account together with class underwriter, Rod Little.
Two insurers face further FSA probing
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has launched further investigation into two insurance companies as part of its review into the operation of with-profits funds.
Aviva introduces home contents calculator
Aviva has introduced a home contents calculator to Personal Best, its web-based personal lines portal for brokers.
Only one in four weddings insured
Only one in four weddings taking place this summer will be insured, despite around £20,000 splashed-out on the average ceremony, according to Datamonitor.
Swansea and West Wales CII president revealed
Sian Lynch, finance director of South West Wales insurance broker Antur Insurance, has stepped up to represent the insurance industry across Swansea and West Wales.
Health Shield appoints chief risk officer
Health cash plan provider, Health Shield, has appointed Courtney Marsh as its first chief risk officer.
FSA to lose head of supervision
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has announced that Jon Pain, managing director of supervision and an FSA board member, has decided to leave the organisation in 2011.
Ace completes regional management team
Ace has appointed Jon Houghton to the role of regional manager corporate risks, southern region.
General insurance sales flat in Q2, says survey
Activity in UK financial services grew in the last three months at the fastest rate since September 2007, according to the latest CBI/PwC Financial Services Survey. However the report also stated this growth was much lower than expected and firms still…
Halliwells files for administrator
Halliwells has filed for court permission to appoint an administrator as it looks to secure a takeover by Hill Dickinson.
Evolution grows Midlands team
Commercial underwriting specialist Evolution Underwriting has appointed Rachael O’Neil as business development executive with responsibility for developing the Midlands area.