United Kingdom (UK)
Five insurers scoop Gracechurch’s regional Service Quality Marques
Allianz has been awarded two UK regional market insurer Service Quality Marques by Gracechurch, with Arch Insurance, Axa, Chubb and Ecclesiastical also being accredited.
Howden consolidates Birmingham offices into one
Howden has consolidated multiple Birmingham offices into one central hub, with over 120 insurance advisors.
AIG expands Jon Hancock’s role
AIG has expanded former Lloyd’s and RSA leader Jon Hancock’s role, with additional responsibilities in global personal lines, as it reorganised into three segments.
Circle expands again in 2024 financial year
Circle 1991, the holding company for Circle Insurance Services, grew turnover by 4.8% in the year ended 30 April 2024, a Companies House filing has revealed.
Premium Credit recruits Andrea Wells to develop network and regional broker partnerships
Premium Credit has recruited Andrea Wells from Broker Insights as head of regions and networks.
Arch partners with charities to address educational inequality
Arch Insurance International has launched a charity partnership with Magic Breakfast and the National Literacy Trust to help tackle growing educational inequality in the UK.
Jensten partners with financial networking club empowering women
Jensten has teamed up with investment networking club Frankie’s to share expertise and insights with members.
Open GI continues investment in technology and AI
Simon Badley, CEO of Open GI, is looking for the business to become a “technology partner”, as it makes continued investment in technology and AI to give its brokers a competitive advantage.
IFB launches campaign to tackle paid-ad spoofing scams
The Insurance Fraud Bureau has launched a national campaign aimed at the multi-million pound problem of paid-ad spoofing claims scams, as it revealed that victims could be facing up to £13,000 in unsolicited fees.
London market wholesale broker launches construction division
Evolin Broking has launched a construction division with the appointment of Steve Downing as head of construction.
Strong solvency means insurers have capacity for M&A, says Fitch
There is surplus capital available for UK insurers to take advantage of any mergers and acquisitions opportunities, according to Graham Coutts, senior director for EMEA Insurance at Fitch Ratings.
Home insurance premiums drop 2.2%
The average quoted price of home insurance fell by 2.2% in the last three months of 2024, according to the latest research from Consumer Intelligence.
Allianz names Phuong Ly as UK commercial lead after Côté departure
Allianz Commercial has appointed Phuong Ly from Allianz Australia as managing director for the UK, starting in the post on 3 April succeeding Nadia Côté who left for RSA last year.
People Moves: 20 – 24 January 2025
Keep up to date with the latest insurance industry personnel moves.
Allianz UK names Cox as chief claims officer in team merger
Allianz UK has appointed Matt Cox to the newly created role of chief claims officer as it brings together the commercial and personal claims teams.
Rawlinson promoted as Donaldson exits Markerstudy for Ardonagh
Markerstudy Distribution CEO Ian Donaldson has left to rejoin Ardonagh with Emma Rawlinson promoted as his successor, eight months after the £1.2bn personal lines acquisition completed.
Biba service tops 40,000 at five-year signposting anniversary
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s signposting service has received 41,330 enquiries from people with pre-existing medical conditions and disabilities seeking protection insurance, the trade body has confirmed.
Ardonagh Advisory to be renamed Everywhen with Towergate brand set to exit
Ardonagh Advisory will change its name to Everywhen this year, Insurance Age can reveal, with client facing brands including Towergate set to switch in a second phase moving into 2026.
Pen boosts capacity with QBE in £420m deal package
Pen Underwriting has extended its partnership with QBE in the UK and Ireland, renewing capacity for public authority risks as well as the hazardous goods and environmental industries.
New Ripe CEO eyes up deals and four product launches in 2025
“The challenge that I’ve taken on, and I’ve mapped out, is both organic growth maintained in double digits and a healthy amount of growth coming through new products,” Ripe CEO Alan Thomas has told Insurance Age.
Broking Success: Growing regional presence
Financial Affairs CEO Laurence O’Connor looks to grow the business ten fold three years ahead of schedule, after making four acquisitions in 18 months.
ARMD secures five-year Accelerant capacity
ARMD, a managing general agent for tradespeople, has entered a five-year capacity agreement with Accelerant’s Risk Exchange.
Hiscox HNW head Holmes exiting for new broker role
Nicola Holmes, the head of broker in Hiscox’s art and private clients division, is to depart the business to pursue a new opportunity at an as yet unnamed intermediary, Insurance Age can reveal.
Pollen Street backed Pivotal Growth buys Northern Irish broker
Pivotal Growth, which is backed by Markerstudy investor Pollen Street Capital, has bought Business Protection Solutions (UK) in Northern Ireland.