Mid market
Interview: Mike Bottle, managing director of the Arch Insurance UK regional division
After a decade of transformation, multi-award-winning Arch is very much open for business with brokers and ready for more profitable growth across its regional network, hub and digital offerings, boss Mike Bottle tells Insurance Age.
Meet the MGA: Aspect
Following its recent brand refresh Oli Williamson, co-founder and chief underwriter, explains how Aspect is seeking to expand its core mid-corporate market offering into new areas such as terrorism and cyber – with an eye very much on how it can leverage…
Insurers and brokers must develop services to help customers understand risks – Neil Galjaard
A panel at the Association of British Insurers annual conference explained SMEs and mid-corporate businesses need education on risk management, with insurers and brokers playing a key role.
Aviva “ruthlessly focused” on being consistent for brokers, says CEO Storah
Aviva grew UK SME business by 12% in 2024 with a more or less 50/50 split between rate and policy count growth, its UK and Ireland general insurance CEO has told Insurance Age.
Chubb brings Houston from US to lead new UK commercial insurance division
Chubb has appointed Andy Houston as head of UK commercial insurance, moving from the USA to take up the role next month.
Interview: Nikki Lidster, Zurich
Nikki Lidster sets out her promises to brokers having taken up the post of head of SME and trading at Zurich earlier this year.
Zurich’s Nikki Lidster on SME growth, mid-market blending and technology tie-ups
Zurich has achieved 30% SME growth in new business this year, with similar targets for 2025, UK head of SME and trading Nikki Lidster has revealed.
Sompo priortising regional hires and MGAs over expanding broker panel
Sompo remains “open minded” to further UK regional expansion, but is happy to build on its existing locations in Birmingham and Manchester for now.
CFC unveils new product aimed at mid-to-large tech companies
Specialist insurance provider CFC has launched what it describes as a “comprehensive insurance solution” for mid-size to multinational tech companies.
Allianz Commercial UK boss Côté departs to join RSA in new CEO role
Allianz Commercial managing director UK Nadia Côté has left the insurer to join RSA as CEO Europe.
Allianz recruits from Hiscox for new mid-market boss
Allianz Commercial has appointed Rob Carslake as its new head of London region for mid-market.
Mid-market boss Lyons wants Zurich to become a “nuisance” to rivals
Morgan Lyons, head of mid-market at Zurich, is looking to grow in the smaller mid-market space and become a “nuisance” to its competitors.
MGA doubles D&O line size with Lloyd’s capacity deal
Managing general agent Rokstone has doubled its directors’ and officers’ (D&O) line size from £5m to £10m after securing additional capacity from Lloyds’ Syndicates.
Zurich names Lidster to lead on SME and trading as Edwards exits
Zurich has appointed Nikki Lidster head of SME and trading as Will Edwards leaves to pursue an opportunity outside the insurer.
RSA launches mid-market D&O product
RSA Insurance has launched Directors’ and Officers’ Protection, aimed at UK domiciled or headquartered companies, large domestic and multinational businesses, private firms with a turnover of over £250m and publicly traded entities.
Stait takes interim charge of Allianz mid-market business after Carey departure
Allianz has moved to replace Ecclesiastical-bound Dave Carey with interim managing director for mid-market Graham Stait, pictured, effective from today and subject to regulatory approval.
Carey quits Allianz to become Ecclesiastical intermediary MD
Ecclesiastical Insurance has appointed Dave Carey as the new managing director of its intermediary business, to join in February 2025.
Body cameras improve claims dispute times and pricing – Axa’s Barnett
Body cameras help decrease the length of claims disputes involving brokers according to Dougie Barnett, director of customer risk management and midmarket at Axa UK.
Interview: Axa UK looks to leverage scale - Foley
Axa Commercial can now move “quicker and price more effectively” due to a new workbench system, which is “beneficial” to brokers and customers, according to Tara Foley, CEO of Axa UK and Ireland.
Axa boss Foley eyes midmarket space
Tara Foley, CEO of Axa UK and Ireland, told Insurance Age the insurer was looking to enter the “white space” between Axa and Axa XL.
Dual eyes up Bristol and Manchester for new regional offices
Dual is targeting Bristol and Manchester for the two regional offices previously promised this year, Insurance Age can reveal.
Personal lines the stand out as Aviva UK GI GWP jumps 19% in Q1
Aviva has revealed that its UK personal lines business was up 27% in the first quarter of 2024 contributing to a 19% hike in general insurance premiums to £1.7bn.
Biba 2024: Zurich seeks to take SME service learnings into mid-market space
Zurich’s Harriet Conway, head of retail customer proposition, and Morgan Lyons head of mid-market told Insurance Age the insurer is targeting its teams “heavily” in terms of response times to brokers.
MGA launches SME and mid-market e-trade platform
Specialist mid-market and SME managing general agent Generation Underwriting has launched a digital e-trade platform.