Managing general agents (MGAs)
Torus enters financial lines market
Torus UK has entered into the financial lines marketplace in London through a newly formed underwriting agency Torus Executive Risks (TER).
JLT: non-advisory branch to merge with Thistle
Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) has revealed it is merging its non-advisory division with Thistle Underwriters.
Secure Underwriting expands online offering
Secure Underwriting has joined forces with Aviva to launch a new online quote and buy product for engineering and computer and inspection cover.
UK General to withdraw underwriting function from regional network to Leeds office
UK General is to pull back its underwriting capabilities from its regional network and concentrate expertise in its Leeds headquarters in a move which is expected to result in job losses
Merger talk unfounded
Market rumours that SSP had opened talks with Broker Direct with a view to a possible takeover have been denied by both firms
JLT to restructure business to maximise benefits of managing general underwriter Thistle
Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) has announced a 14% rise in fees and commissions to £612.9m in 2009 (2008: £526.1m) while underlying trading profit increased by 28% to £97.1m (2008: £76.2m).
Markerstudy's acquisition of Zenith completes
Following regulatory approval, Markerstudy Holdings has now completed the purchase of Zenith Insurance, incorporating Link Underwriting Agency and GHL Insurance Services.
Ex-Ink directors set sail with MGA
MGA Ink's founders Keith Syrett and Philip Thomas are setting-up MGA Thames Underwriting to tap the contractors' market from 1 March.
Policyfast plans to double broker base
Policyfast, the web-based underwriting agency for independent brokers, has recruited Jacky Moore in the role of broker development manager.
Keychoice Underwriting takes first steps towards market launch
Keychoice Underwriting has unveiled its senior management team in the run up to its official launch later this year
Rolfe quits UK General
UK General Insurance has announced CEO, Tim Rolfe, will be leaving the group for family reasons at the end of March 2010
THB Group to hit the acquisition trail
THB Group chief executive, Frank Murphy, has expressed his satisfaction at the company's 2009 results despite flat trading, describing it as a credible performance in a continuing soft market
Arista moves into profit
Commercial lines underwriter Arista has finally moved into profit after completing a three-year start-up phase. It is on target to achieve a consistent trading profit from the first quarter onwards.
Mass MGA launch predicted
Total Objects predicts at least 12 will launch into the London market
Underwriting agency unveils growth plans
David Oliver Associates has made a number of key appointments
Underwriting under control
The ability to deliver on professional promises is more pertinent than ever in today's market. Peter Joy, principal of Insurance 360, analyses results of an exclusive survey to find out which underwriters are proving the most capable
Small is beautiful
Louise Meeson finds that the perception of large insurers' service as faceless and impenetrable is leading brokers to smaller players better able to handle niches and small risks
CFC Underwriting targets media in product expansion
"We are always looking at new specialist areas" - Graeme Newman
Liberty extends broker services
Liberty International Underwriters extends contract with Red24 to provide kidnap, ransom and extortion services
CFC expands into media sector
Janine Eagles has been appointed as media underwriter
What makes an MGA tick?
PB asked some leading industry figures about how the managing general agent model works.
The Third Force 2010
Latest edition of the Third Force finds that this sector continues to exert a powerful influence over the market
Fortis restructure forms specialist trading teams
The insurer has introduced broker trading teams
Is big still beautiful?
Tony Cornell asks if big insurers are still vital to brokers