People
Ceta adds Mark Chappell as head of intermediary in wholesale push
Atec Group’s Ceta Insurance has appointed Mark Chappell as head of intermediary to bolster its wholesale proposition.
Cheesbrough outlines M&A and tech plans as Movo enters ‘2.0’ growth phase
The Movo Group of Companies is poised to enter a new period of M&A activity and member sign-up following the sale of a majority equity stake to AUB in October 2024.
Underwriting discipline key for MGAs
Gavin Dollings, chief underwriting officer at Rockstone Commercial, has highlighted that “flawless execution” of underwriting discipline is key for managing general agents as brokers want consistency of appetite.
Biba reveals board changes as Evans steps down, succeeded by Fraser
Carl Evans is stepping down as chair of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s Larger Brokers’ Advisory Board, with Alistair Fraser succeeding him.
People Moves: 30 June – 4 July 2025
Keep up to date with the latest personnel moves in insurance.
Interview: Superscript CEO Chris Barclay
Newly appointed Superscript CEO Chris Barclay tells Jonathan Swift about its plans to enter motor, reduce the number of insurers it works with and treble in size to over £100m GWP after shaking off its insurtech tag to become a truly digital insurance…
Brokers brought into scope of FCA’s bullying and harassment misconduct rules
The Financial Conduct Authority is extending the scope of serious bullying and harassment in financial firms qualifying as misconduct to around 37,000 regulated firms, including insurance brokers.
Simply Business operating profit soars almost 90% in 2024
Xbridge, which trades as Simply Business, increased operating profit to £45.91m for the year ended 31 December 2024, up almost 90% from the previous year.
Aviva names Owen Morris UK personal lines CEO as Direct Line deal completes
Owen Morris has been appointed CEO of UK personal lines at Aviva as the Direct Line takeover went through.
Credit and political risk broker completes EOT switch
The Texel Group, a credit and political risk insurance broker, has completed its transition to 100% employee ownership through the creation of the Texel employee ownership trust.
Cowens looks for growth in challenging market
Mark Wilson, managing director of Cowens, has targeted 15% growth in the next year but highlighted the soft market and wider economy challenges, with acquisitions not ruled out.
People Moves: 23 – 27 June 2025
Follow the latest personnel moves in insurance.
Shuker moves to deputy chair, succeeded by Kennedy as CEO of Howden UK and Ireland
Robert Kennedy has been named CEO of Howden UK and Ireland to take up the role on 1 October, when Carl Shuker will become deputy chairman.
Start-up broker adds director for bitcoin mining and AI compute
Start-up insurance broker Native has hired George Frith as divisional director of bitcoin mining and AI compute.
Ventis expands into Scotland
Commercial and residential real estate managing general agent Ventis has launched in Scotland, under the leadership of Karen Feeney.
Blog: Counting up the commercial longevity
Which is longer: the average tenure of a FTSE 100 CEO or that of a commercial insurance leader? Emmanuel Kenning calculates the numbers and finds a surprisingly short job-title occupancy in the sector.
RAC partners with telematics insurtech on connected motor products
RAC Insurance has partnered with Ticker, a telematics insurance specialist, to licence and distribute a suite of connected motor insurance products aimed at consumers.
DLG CEO Winslow and CFO Poole to exit in Aviva takeover management reshuffle
Adam Winslow, CEO of Direct Line Group, will exit when the takeover by Aviva goes through.
Birmingham regional review: Highly competitive market
Birmingham’s central location in the country creates opportunities for investment and growth, according to experts in the highly competitive broker market, with recruitment flagged as the main challenge.
Cowbell targets cyber insurance education to increase uptake
Simon Hughes, senior vice-president of global distribution at Cowbell, looks to grow the cyber insurance market by educating brokers, as the UK team continues to expand.
Hiscox creates new HNW trading director role
Hiscox UK has appointed Matt Perkin to the new role of trading director for high net worth, art and collections.
FCA warns of Brighton broker clone
The Financial Conduct Authority has warned of a clone claiming to be Brighton-based Premium Wise Insurance Brokers.
People Moves: 16 – 20 June 2025
Stay in the loop with the latest insurance personnel moves.
Allianz confirms broker commitment amid job losses
Allianz has promised no disruption to the way it serves brokers and reiterated its long-term commitment to the sector as it goes through the process of cutting 650 jobs in the UK.