Interview

Philip Gregory - A giant awakes

Andrew Tjaardstra talks to Philip Gregory, chief executive of HSBC Insurance Brokers, as he attempts to reawaken what he considers to be a 'sleeping giant'

Banking on brokers

Norwich Union's chief executive Igal Mayer admits that the company has made mistakes in the past, but he is keen to reassure independent brokers that they remain key to its plans for the future. Michelle Worvell reports

A spirit reborn

Just seven months after taking on the top job at Axa Insurance, Philippe Maso y Guell Rivet has started reinvigorating the insurer's personal and commercial lines operations. Michelle Worvell asks him what he has in store for the insurer during his…

Robin Lucas - A measured approach

Andrew Tjaardstra meets Robin Lucas, managing director at Lucas Fettes and Partners, to find out how he intends to grow his business after a deal with Oval fell through earlier in the year following the retirement of founding partner David Fettes last…

Guiding light

Far from abandoning ship, Andrew Torrance has shown that a steady hand in an uncertain market can guide a company to safety. Michelle Worvell speaks to him about the shifting tides of the insurance world and what the future has in store for Allianz…

Jeremy Cary - Progress from within

Stackhouse Poland bucks the trend of recent broking times: its previous owner did not sell out to a consolidator but to a management buy-in looking to propel the business forward, writes Andrew Tjaardstra

A magic mantra

In a market where firms are determined to grow at any cost, Laurent Matras holds firm to a different train of thought. With the future success of an insurer in his hands, he tells Martin Friel how a steady pace will win the race for scale

Taking it to the top

With the restoration of RSA's service reputation weighing heavily on his mind, Paul Donaldson is not a man that is easily distracted from responsibility. He speaks to Sarah Hills about his determination to take the insurer to the top of its class and…

Deakin and Kitson - Playing the efficiency game

Andrew Tjaardstra meets two key players for Norwich Union in the broker market. John Kitson and Janice Deakin have been at the epicentre of the changes in broking over the last three years and, despite more responsibility across the group, they are…

Blooming marvellous

On the back of the controversial takeover by broking giant Towergate, Grant Ellis speaks to Martin Friel about the nature of broker networks and how fighting for the rights of members is essential in the politics of business

Adrian Colosso - Retail futures

Adrian Colosso, chief executive of Heath Lambert, speaks to Andrew Tjaardstra about the nearly-deal with Jardine Lloyd Thompson, banning commissions and where he sees the potential for growth in his diverse broking and advisory business

Rising through the ranks

Tokio Marine Europe is slowly building up its reputation in the UK insurance market, intent on spreading its Japanese parent's ethos of personalised and unwavering service. Michelle Worvell speaks to Alastair Blundell about the insurer's entry into the…

Taylor and Lopian - Independent thinking

Andrew Tjaardstra meets Simon Taylor and Danny Lopian, the partners behind one of the few remaining Manchester brokers that is determined to grow independently rather than sell

A sterling effort

With some big shoes to fill, John Blundell is a man that is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty. Sarah Hills speaks to him about his determination to boost Sterling Insurance to the top of the niche insurer pile, the recent…

Lyndon Wood - King of his castle

Lyndon Wood, chairman of Caerphilly-based Moorhouse Group, is embarking on a hyper-growth strategy that is set to double his book by the end of the year. Andrew Tjaardstra meets a man focused on organic growth and speeding up insurers

As easy as ABC

With a list of achievements that would impress any critic, Phil Bunker seems to know the ins and outs of the insurance world. Following the launch of ABC Insurance last year, Michelle Worvell asks him about the start-up's ambitious growth plans and how…

Neil Walton - Fast learner

Neil Walton was always a good broker and then a business opportunity accelerated his career. He gives Andrew Tjaardstra the lowdown on his firm's management buyouts and the view from the top

Towering above the rest

Big players are often feared but Amanda Blanc puts forward the notion that Towergate is simply misunderstood. She speaks to Martin Friel about consolidation in the sector, and how it looks set to continue shaping the broking world

The right guy for the job

Guy Munnoch is confident that Zurich has successfully implemented a new way of building relationships with brokers. Michelle Worvell speaks to him about getting down to business in the current insurance market