Market moves: Bright sparks

l The firework season has started early in broker moves with a flurry of appointments lighting up the sky. Okay, even we are going to struggle to keep this metaphor running. But there have been a lot of changes across the board with insurers also getting in on the act with some new recruits, promotions and a departure or two, all like some kind of single ignition unit. One of the biggest whizz bangs – quite proud of that one actually – came with Peter Hubbard stepping up to group chief executive at UK General. And as the Catherine Wheel whirled – probably the last firework reference – so Mike Keating, formerly of Axa fame, stepped up into the commercial MD post as Cathie Bruce resigned. Ace also got in on the act with several broker facing staff rocketing – sorry we couldn’t resist one more – into new posts. And over in broker land there was no shortage of sparkling appointments – oh come on that doesn’t count – at management level. If they all got together they really could make a bonfire of old business cards – and that absolutely, definitely, without a doubt is the last one. Promise.

To start at the top, Peter Hubbard has been appointed chief executive of UK General and has wasted no time in putting his stamp on the organisation. Mr Hubbard was previously executive chairman at the Leeds-based provider, and has also held the role of CEO at Axa. And into the role of managing director commercial comes Michael Keating, a former colleague. Mr Keating was managing director, intermediary and partnerships sales, for personal lines at Axa, until his abrupt departure in December 2011