Financial lines
FeLines’ founder Henderson on how the group has grown and provides safe space
Gemma Henderson, founder of FeLines, a networking group for women in insurance financial lines, explains how the group has grown, the importance of safe spaces, and how she will focus on quality of events over quantity.
Allianz mid-market boss Graham Stait’s ‘challenge us’ message to brokers
One year into the role of mid-market leader at Allianz, Graham Stait tells Insurance Age about growing the offering and his keenness for brokers to challenge the firm as it seeks to be “the easiest insurer to do business with”.
Liberty Specialty Markets continues with restructure
Liberty Specialty Markets has unveiled a new single integrated third-party division, bringing together financial and professional and casualty under one unit in its UK and MENA region.
Interview: Allianz Commercial UK managing director Phuong Ly
Allianz Commercial UK managing director Phuong Ly talks to Jonathan Swift about how greater regional underwriting authority, a clearer risk appetite and focus on digitalisation should help the business achieve its ambition of being the easiest insurer to…
Business solutions company buys Lloyd’s broker
Liberty Blume has bought Lloyd’s broker PHL Insurance Brokers in its first strategic M&A transaction.
Downey on getting Pen to £1.75bn by 2030
Having hit its goal of £1bn gross written premium a year early in 2024, Pen Underwriting has set its sights on £1.75bn by 2030. CEO Tom Downey tells Insurance Age about the strategy of organic growth, product development and acquisitions now in place to…
Meet the MGA: Shape Underwriting
Mandy Hunt, managing director of Shape Underwriting, explains the logic behind rebranding the Clear MGA business; outlines its holistic approach to acquisitions; and pinpoints the importance of recruiting staff who understand collaboration, integrity…
Interview: Mike Crane, SME & Specialty director at Axa Commercial
In his first interview since starting at Axa Commercial as SME and specialty director this January, Mike Crane tells Insurance Age about his key message to brokers at the upcoming Biba Conference, what he has found at his new home and his plans for the…
MGA brings together five businesses under one brand
Dual Group has rebranded a collection of its UK MGA businesses under a single identity.
MGA takes another Axa leader with CUO hire
Optio Group has appointed the former Axa director of schemes and delegated authorities Gary Head as chief underwriting officer, effective immediately.
UK commercial rates still falling by 5% – Marsh
UK insurance rates fell by 5% in the final quarter of last year, maintaining the speed of decline seen in Q3, according to Marsh, with financial and professional lines as well as cyber seeing the steepest declines.
Pen promotes Breslin to lead new commercial arm as Webb retires
Pen Underwriting has announced a restructure following the decision by Richard Webb, MD of UK Financial Lines and Specialty Liability, to retire in June this year.
Hiscox hires from rival to launch new FI offering
Hiscox has launched a new financial institutions offering, headed up by Joe Dearsley who has joined from Liberty Specialty Markets.
Bottle to lead Arch in the UK following Bashford retirement
Arch Insurance International has promoted Mike Bottle to the role of managing director of the Arch Insurance UK regional division, with immediate effect.
Meet the MGA: Kayzen Specialty
Kayzen Specialty founder and CEO Charles Boorman explains to Jonathan Swift his plans for the MGA to be a go-to market for financial lines through continuous improvement across its three pillars of broker-centric, underwriter-fronted and tech-focused.
UK pricing continues down – Marsh
Insurance rates in the UK fell 3% in the second quarter of 2024, continuing on the downwards trajectory from the previous three months, according to the latest research by Marsh.
Meet the MGA: Rokstone
Ian Anson, MD of Rokstone, highlights talent that passes the ‘BBQ test’, an entrepreneurial culture and deep relationships with capacity providers as key to it achieving its goal of stretching the boundaries of what an MGA can offer.
C-Quence seeks to “unleash” digital tools and target schemes after Sompo tie-up
C-Quence is looking to “unleash the breadth” of its digital capabilities and target more schemes business having switched capacity provider for its property and casualty and property owners propositions.
CFC updates fintech insurance cover
CFC has made a “major overhaul” to its fintech insurance cover in the UK, Canada and Australia, across both professional service and technology exposures.
Wallace: QBE reaping benefits of focus on ‘holy grail of service’
QBE’s consistency and lack of upheaval in contrast to some of its peers has helped it become a “viable alternative” for regional brokers.
Casper adds Chaucer and TMK as capacity backers
Casualty-focused managing general agent Casper Specialty UK has secured capacity from Chaucer and TMK as it enters its second year of trading.