United Kingdom (UK)
In Depth: Cyber risk and AI – friend or foe?
The rise of artificial intelligence signals both a threat and opportunity for UK firms in pursuit of a cyber-secure future. But how can brokers help clients stay on the winning side, asks Saxon East.
Private equity and broking specialist Kirby joins PIB
Richard Kirby has joined PIB Group as chief transformation and integration officer covering the retail, specialty, underwriting and schemes divisions and all international territories as the group expands.
FCA set to raise broker levy by 9.8%
The Financial Conduct Authority is set to hit brokers with an inflation busting 9.8% hike in fees for the general insurance mediation pot in 2024/25.
NBS Underwriting rolls out commercial combined
NBS Underwriting has added commercial combined insurance to its product portfolio building on the acquisition of Capital Markets Underwriting.
FSCS details £23m MCE Insurance Company recovery from £90m hit
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has secured £23m from the estate of Gibraltar-based Green Realisations 123, formerly known as MCE Insurance Company, after paying out approximately £90m in compensation to the firm’s customers.
Ardonagh buys SIB Insurance, boosting presence in North West
Ardonagh Advisory has bought commercial broker Southport Insurance Brokers, building its presence in the North West of England.
Aviva completes on £453m AIG Life deal
Aviva has confirmed that, following receipt of all necessary approvals, it has completed the acquisition of AIG Life UK.
Acies launches MGA backed by Axa capacity
Acies MGU has launched construction-focused managing general agent Phoenix Specialty with capacity backing from Axa UK.
Ex-Ecclesiastical leader Adrian Saunders joins Iprism as NED
Managing general agent Iprism has named former commercial director of Ecclesiastical Insurance, Adrian Saunders, as a non-executive director.
17% of brokers report unprofitable quarter to FCA financial resilience survey
An average three-month net profit of £22,636.50 has ranked insurance brokers and intermediaries as the third most profitable sector in the latest Financial Resilience Survey by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Jensten completes on Scrutton Bland deal
Jensten has completed on the acquisition of Scrutton Bland Insurance Brokers following final regulatory approval.
Asset manager ICG invests in Staysure
Global asset manager ICG has taken a minority stake in travel insurance specialist Staysure.
UK businesses unprepared for incoming Martyn’s Law, warns Gallagher
Research from Gallagher has found just 23% of firms are fully confident they will be able to fulfil the requirements of Martyn’s Law when it comes into force.
Kingfisher drives further into classic car market with Lynbrook buy
Kingfisher Insurance has bought Lynbrook Insurance to expand its presence in the classic vehicle market.
TV and films in focus as Spotlite Claims launches EL and PL support
Spotlite Claims, the specialist loss adjusting arm of Woodgate and Clark, has launched employers’ liability and public liability claims support due to increasing demand from brokers and insurers working with the global film and TV industries.
Blog: With the right team inhouse technology development needn’t be a pipe dream for brokers
Technology is key in charting and improving the consumer’s insurance journey. Daniel Huddart, CTO of Avantia Group’s Homeprotect, explains the benefits of building digital platforms inhouse with open-source technologies and a diverse skill set.
People Moves: 2 – 5 April 2024
Follow the latest insurance personnel moves.
Momentum to increase funding to help members acquire and recruit
Momentum Broker Solutions is looking to provide more financial support for its appointed representative partners, according to founder and managing director Howard Pepper.
My Insurance Downtime: Martyn Mathews, SSP Broker
Martyn Mathews, MD of SSP Broker, offers us a window into his life outside of insurance covering 90s house music, an obsession with retro Serie A football shirts and Jack Bauer.
Open GI swoops for Hug Hub’s Digital Platform
Open GI has bought Hug Hub’s Digital Platform which offers portal capability for insurance brokers and managing general agents.
FOS confirms levy cut but forecasts more insurance complaints
The Financial Ombudsman Service has set its levy for 2024/25 at £70m despite anticipating an increase in operating expenditure and caseload.
CFC partners with Biba for conference Cyber Hub
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association and CFC have collaborated to design and deliver a Cyber Hub, a new feature at the trade body’s annual conference.
AssuredPartners expands into Wales with LT Insurance buy
AssuredPartners has added to its UK footprint buying South Wales-based LT Insurance Services.
Clear spending tops £100m in 2023
Clear spent £102.4m snapping up 10 businesses in the year ended 31 October 2023, the most in its history and around double the year before.