United Kingdom (UK)
Aviva-bound DLG swings back to operating profit but customer count falls
Direct Line Group has reported an operating profit of £205m for 2024, more than reversing a £189.9m loss the year before.
Aviva gives e-trade brokers commission flex up to 35%
Aviva has written to brokers that use its own e-trading platform Fast Trade – as well as Acturis E-Trade – telling them they can set their own commission rates within set parameters, Insurance Age has learned.
FCA bans broker whose fraud caused client to fail and go into liquidation
The Financial Conduct Authority has banned David Robert Cooke, previously a director at Professional Construction Risks Limited, from working in all regulated activity after he received a police conditional caution for an insurance fraud that led to the…
Markel appoints Nicola Cunliffe to drive broker trading
Markel has named Nicola Cunliffe as head of trading in the UK, with responsibility for brokers’ experience when dealing with the insurer.
Open GI grows sales to over £60m as investment in digital also rises
Open GI increased revenue by 5.1% to £61.7m in the year to 31 May 2024, as it invested a total of £9.1m in developing its digital offerings.
Flood Re names Perry Thomas as CEO
Flood Re has appointed Perry Thomas as CEO succeeding Stuart Logue, who has been leading the organisation on an interim basis since last August.
Meet the MGA: Carrow Insurance
Looking to mend the disconnect between MGAs and carriers to get back to the ‘win-win situation’ where consistency and partnerships are a focus, Carrow Insurance will only write in product areas it has deep-seated expertise, CEO Ronan Conboy tells…
Allianz planning new regional broker office in 2025, says Holmes
Allianz has plans for a new branch in 2025, UK CEO Colm Holmes told Insurance Age, as he highlighted the provider’s commitment to regional underwriting.
Insurers and brokers must develop services to help customers understand risks – Neil Galjaard
A panel at the Association of British Insurers annual conference explained SMEs and mid-corporate businesses need education on risk management, with insurers and brokers playing a key role.
Eaton Gate first MGA live on imarket
Managing general agent Eaton Gate has joined imarket and will be deploying its first product, tradespeople, through imarket to the Bravo Digital Trader platform in March.
FCA and PRA committed to driving competition and innovation
The Financial Conduct Authority is looking at what rules can be stripped out following Consumer Duty and if fair value assessments need to be every year.
Allianz UK boosts GWP in 2024 as operating profit up 52%
Allianz UK has reported a 5.5% rise in total business volume last year to £4.66bn with profit surging ahead.
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Aviva “ruthlessly focused” on being consistent for brokers, says CEO Storah
Aviva grew UK SME business by 12% in 2024 with a more or less 50/50 split between rate and policy count growth, its UK and Ireland general insurance CEO has told Insurance Age.
Robic succeeds Furby as EMEA president at Chubb
Ana Robic has been appointed regional president for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Chubb, succeeding David Furby, who has been named executive chairman of EMEA.
Insurance industry needs to improve communication on motor premium costs – Colm Holmes
At the Association of British Insurers Annual Conference today, Allianz UK CEO Colm Holmes claimed the insurance industry is doing a “poor job” of explaining the reasons for costs of premiums.
Ageas UK premiums up 21% in 2024 to €1.85bn
Ageas grew UK premiums by 21% last year to €1.85bn (£1.52bn), driven by expanding the customer base and premium rate in motor, its parent has confirmed.
Biba renews 20-year-old membership agreement
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has renewed its agreement with Premium Credit to provide a premium finance facility to its members.
Aviva scores double-digit UK profit and volume growth in 2024
Aviva has posted 16% UK gross written premium growth in 2024, as its combined operating ratio improved to 94.9%.
Marshberry: US consolidators bypassing UK for Euro deals as targets dry up
Acquisitive US brokers might favour deals in territories outside the UK to enter and grow in Europe as the number of targets here shrinks.
The Yorkshire Broker looks to build on base as inquiries grow
Launched in 2023, The Yorkshire Broker has seen inquiries kicking up in the past six months, according to managing director Martin Weaver-Parker, after “a bit of a slow start”, as he targets doubling gross written premiums in 18 months.
AUB reports Momentum and Movo deal costs
Sydney-headquartered AUB Group has revealed the costs of snapping up 40% of appointed representatives network Momentum Broker Solutions and 80% of fellow AR offering Movo Group last year, and promised more deals to come.
US parametric specialist buys Floodflash
Insurtech Floodflash has agreed terms to be bought by US parametric insurance specialist NormanMax Insurance Holdings.
Polaris eyeing up £500m GWP milestone for imarket in 2025, confirms Banga
“I don’t want to tempt fate, but on current trajectory, we should be getting close [to £500m GWP] by the end of 2025,” Polaris managing director Vivek Banga told Insurance Age.