United Kingdom (UK)
Two more S166s into insurance firms
The Financial Conduct Authority commissioned two skilled person reports into insurance businesses between October and December 2024, taking the running total for the financial year into double digits.
Another double-digit jump for Polaris’s imarket takes premiums to £449m in 2024
Insurance premiums placed through digital trading platform imarket rose 15% to £449m in 2024 as Polaris built on surges in recent years.
FSCS opens to claims after Scottish broker stopped from trading by FCA
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has opened for claims from customers of Arthur Temlett, who traded as Abacus Insurance Consultants and was forced to stop carrying out any regulated activities by the Financial Conduct Authority at the start of…
Ex-England manager Gareth Southgate among Biba conference speakers
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has confirmed former England men’s football team manager Gareth Southgate as one of its 2025 conference keynote speakers.
Gallagher names ex-Giles boss Lyons specialty CEO as Turner departs
Gallagher has appointed Sarah Lyons, currently CEO of its Australia and Asia business, as CEO of the London-based specialty division, succeeding Jonathan Turner.
MGAA’s Mike Keating sees opportunity to ramp up support material on claims
Mike Keating, CEO of the Managing General Agents’ Association, sees an opportunity to ramp up guidance on claims, while also highlighting the “extremely buoyant” MGA market.
RSA testing “the art of the possible” on turnaround times
RSA is piloting how quickly it can turn around “fairly straightforward risks” in its national trading centre in Manchester, commercial managing director Sonya Bryson told Insurance Age.
Seven kilometre high pile – FCA moves to clarify email deletion plans
The Financial Conduct Authority has acknowledged it hit the headlines last week with criticism of its plans to delete emails held in staff inboxes after a year, and has sought to explain what it is doing and why.
QBE hails “excellent” International COR of 88.7%
QBE International grew gross written premium by 11% to $9.84bn (£7.78bn) last year as the combined operating ratio improved.
People Moves: 17 – 21 February 2025
Follow the latest personnel moves in insurance.
Broking Success: Personable service
David Walton, senior director of commercial specialist broker Bromwall, is aiming to double turnover in five years, as the business looks to remain independent offering personable service.
Hiscox UK adds Walker from Marsh as broker development director
Hiscox UK has appointed Stewart Walker as broker development director, a newly created role at the insurer.
FCA within a whisker of green sweep on authorisations
The Financial Conduct Authority delivered a top rating of ‘green’ across 16 authorisation metrics with only one ranked as ‘amber’ and none in the red zone during October to December last year.
Zurich UK boosts operating profits as GWP rises and COR improves
Zurich UK improved its combined operating ratio in property and casualty business to 91.7% last year from 93.8% in 2023.
MCE administrator updates on progress
The administrators of MCE Insurance have detailed developments on credit hire, property and a court case involving Alpha Insurance in their latest update.
Howden’s UK broker buying takes off in 2025 with two aviation deals
Howden has bought aviation specialist Forbes Insurance and Hill Aviation Insurance Services’ book of business as it sets up a new division.
CFC launches cyber portfolio quoting for brokers
CFC has launched cyber portfolio quoting for UK brokers, a service that automates quoting for thousands of policies.
More than one in four UK businesses impacted by civil unrest last year, says Gallagher
Over one in four UK businesses were impacted by civil unrest last year, with nearly two-thirds citing a continuation of the problem as a major concern for 2025, according to research by Gallagher.
Broker Diversity Push: No progress measured in 2024 benchmark
For the third year running the percentage of six key broking leadership roles held by women has stayed stuck at just over 16%, according to the latest Broker Diversity Push benchmark from Insurance Age.
IQUW launches ports and terminals product
IQUW has launched a ports and terminals product, with the insurer claiming it will help brokers and clients manage their risks with cover for physical loss or damage to marine property and cargo handling equipment, business interruption and third-party…
Lucida names Gledhill as CEO with founder Joseph focusing on CUO role
Former BGL leader Matthew Gledhill has joined motor specialist Lucida as group CEO succeeding Mike Joseph who has switched to focus on the chief underwriting officer post having previously held both jobs.
EY revisions show three years of slowing premium income growth
EY has revised its forecast up slightly for UK non-life insurance premium income growth this year while ticking down the prediction for 2026 and releasing its number for 2027.
Ex-Towergate boss Mike Lawton promoted at Travelers
Travelers Europe has named Mike Lawton as chief operating officer.
Acturis rolls out AI and data-driven placement strategy offering Unify
Acturis has launched Unify, Insurance Age can reveal, an artificial intelligence and data-driven offering that can aid placement strategies with granular insights and appetite matching for brokers and insurers.