United Kingdom (UK)
Interview: Henry Topham, Allianz
As Allianz rebrands its digital motor insurance product Flow, Insurance Age caught up with managing director of UK retail Henry Topham to hear about his route into insurance and what benefits brokers get from the provider’s omni-channel approach.
Markerstudy rebrands broking arm
Markerstudy Broking has been renamed to Markerstudy Distribution to encapsulate the range of products and services across the whole division, the business has confirmed.
Fire safety reinsurance facility to launch on 1 April
A reinsurance facility aimed at increasing competition in the insurance market for properties affected by dangerous cladding and other fire safety issues has been unveiled ahead of launching on 1 April.
QBE launches regional healthcare practice group
QBE has created a healthcare practice group which will be supported by all regional offices in the UK, Insurance Age can reveal.
Direct Line rejects second “unattractive” takeover offer from Ageas
Direct Line Group has rejected a second takeover proposal from Ageas labelling it uncertain, unattractive and highly opportunistic.
Academy pivoting to commercial with five more deals in pipeline, says CEO Normand
Buying Premierline has “dramatically” shifted the balance of Academy’s book from 50% personal lines to two-thirds commercial with the broker targeting 90% in the sector through a people-first string of acquisitions, according to CEO Gilles Normand.
Gen AI to increase cyber attacks warns Lloyd’s
A new report has found that the impact of generative artificial intelligence is likely to increase the frequency, severity and diversity of smaller scale cyber attacks over the next one to two years.
Broker’s emails defeat negligence claim
Key to the broker’s success in defending all allegations of negligence in a recent High Court case was the ability to rely on contemporaneous emails as evidence of its advice given nearly a decade before the trial, Marcus Campbell, partner at DAC…
FCA warns of Admiral clone
The Financial Conduct Authority has warned of a clone claiming to be Admiral Insurance.
Seventeen makes double buy
Seventeen Group has bought a book of business from Hendricks Insurance in Scotland and snapped up Keith Miller Insurance Services in England in its first purchases of 2024.
Academy strikes deal to buy Premierline from Allianz
Academy Insurance Services has signed up to buy all of Allianz Business Services, trading as Premierline, to become its North-West hub in its first deal since last year’s investment by private equity house Blixt Group.
Commercial Express launches courier package product
Commercial Express has launched a courier package product, designed for brokers whose clients are couriers or delivery drivers using vans or cars in the UK.
FOI request pulls back the curtain on FCA’s broker S166s
A Freedom of Information request by Insurance Age to the Financial Conduct Authority has revealed further details on the spike in insurance skilled persons reports.
Zurich uncovered £78.5m in bogus claims in 2023
Zurich UK faced down £78.5m in fraudulent claims last year, equating to £215,117 a day.
FCA reveals slight decline in whistleblowing
The Financial Conduct Authority received 249 whistleblowing reports containing 649 allegations in the fourth quarter of last year.
IWD 2024: Geo’s Jaime Swindle on coaching and mentoring
For International Women’s Day, Insurance Age discussed with Geo Underwriting leader Jaime Swindle how women should embrace their different approach to their male colleagues.
Select Committtee slams lack of progress on sexual harassment and bullying
A House of Commons Treasury Select Committee has released its ‘Sexism in the City’ report revealing a lack of progress on sexual harassment and bullying, including serious sexual misconduct in financial services.
Aspen confirms Sarah Stanford as UK CEO
Aspen Insurance has confirmed Sarah Stanford as UK CEO, a post she has held on an interim basis since 17 January.
IWD 2024: “Be a self-promoter,” urges Tysers’ Nicola Leighton
For International Women’s Day Insurance Age caught up with Nicola Leighton, national sales director at Tysers Retail on how women must grasp any opportunity to develop their career.
Aon buys in administration Humn.ai’s assets and IP
Aon has bought Humn.ai’s technology assets and intellectual property to strengthen its own commercial fleet proposition, months after the insurtech appointed administrators.
Ardonagh completes more than $5bn refinance
Ardonagh has completed a refinancing process switching over $5bn of debt (£3.9bn) to better terms.
People Moves: 4 – 8 March 2024
Keep up to date on the latest personnel changes in insurance.
IWD 2024: “Always be authentic to yourself,” says Zurich’s Jacqui Kelly
For International Women’s Day, Insurance Age spoke with Jacqui Kelly, Zurich’s head of sales and distribution to see what the industry can do to help promote women up into more senior roles.
Aviva boss Storah commits to consistency and stability for brokers
Jason Storah, CEO of UK and Ireland general insurance at Aviva, has hailed the insurer’s “really strong” results and promised brokers will benefit from the Probitas deal in 2024 alongside ongoing commitment and stability across commercial and personal…