Start-ups
Fear of AI often comes from fear of change, says Ignite MD MacLachlan
Having surged forward in the past two years, Ignite plans to continue growing by strengthening partnerships with insurers, expanding with brokers, via its Ignition programme and through the integration of its artificial intelligence-powered chatbot.
Members’ 25% growth a “powerful” proof point, says Hedron leader Haggart
Hedron members grew by 25% in the past 12 months, according to analysis by network CEO Chris Haggart.
Ex-Hastings boss Utley on Percayso investment and the state of UK motor market
Neil Utley’s investment in data intelligence provider Percayso Inform was spurred on by an understanding that the insurtech would have made his job a lot easier had it existed when he was chair of Hastings Direct.
Movo Partnership hits £100m GWP ahead of target
Movo Partnership network has hit its £100m gross written premium target months earlier than originally planned.
Optimism among brokers as Birmingham diversifies from manufacturing into booming new industries
The insurance sector in Birmingham is full of activity and has a bright future, according to experts who work in the area, as Ida Axling discovers.
Ripe Thinking notches up first buy with boat insurance specialist
Insurtech broker Ripe has completed its first acquisition by snapping up specialist boat insurance provider, Craftinsure.
What next for Mark Wilson after Abacai exit?
Despite his departure from insurtech Abacai, Mark Wilson has talked previously about the need to disrupt the insurance status quo going back to his days as group CEO of Aviva. Based on the assumption this exit is just a blip in that mission, Jonathan…
Dayinsure’s Barry Bown made Abacai group CEO after Wilson exit and job cuts
Barry Bown, boss of Abacai Technologies owned-Dayinsure, was promoted to group CEO after the departure of his predecessor Mark Wilson, Insurance Age can reveal.
Accelerant-backed start-up MGA Kayzen targets regional financial lines
Kayzen Specialty, a new specialty managing general agent focused on the London and UK regional financial lines market has been launched.
MGAs fear regulatory scrutiny will deter new entrants and diversification
Nine in 10 managing general agents believe that regulatory scrutiny will increase over the coming year, potentially deterring more entrants into the space.
Insurtech Innovative Risk Labs enters Lloyd's
Innovative Risk Labs has staked a claim for being the first-ever broker of its kind to secure a license to operate within the Lloyd's market.
Spike in number of young entrepreneurs launching insurance businesses
The number of 18 to 25-year-olds starting their own brokers or insurance related companies increased significantly last year as the start-ups market also grew, according to research by Instant Offices.
The benefits and potential pitfalls of broker clubs
As Zurich becomes the latest major insurer to introduce a club for brokers, Ida Axling investigates the evolution of these offerings, and whether they remain as attractive to intermediaries as they were in the past.
UK Broker Awards deadline extended until 26 May
The deadline for the 2023 UK Broker Awards has been extended until this Friday (26 May), so you still have a chance to be in it to win it!
Manchester, Liverpool and the buoyant North West are under the spotlight
As we put Covid-19 behind us, Sophie Locke-Cooper discovers brokers in the North West are positive about the prospects of the local market despite worldwide economic challenges such as inflation and UK-wide issues such as recruitment and talent retention.
Starting up a broker can cost as little as £50,000 – WTW networks
Willis Towers Watson Networks believes brokers can start up for as little as £50,000.
Movo unveils MGA and rolls out Quote Portal as targets grow with start-ups focus
Movo will launch its managing general agent Moveda Underwriting on 1 May, upping its appointed representative network target to 120 next year. It also rolled out Quote Portal, managing director Lea Cheesbrough told Insurance Age.
Stubben Edge sets new goal after hitting first year AR network target
Stubben Edge is eyeing up boosting its appointed representatives network to 40 after hitting its launch goals, network director Gemma Jarrett has revealed to Insurance Age.
Broking Success: Spotting a gap in the market
James Noble, CEO of My First, details how he started the broker because he noticed a gap in the motor market for first time drivers who needed guidance when searching for the right cover.
Meet the MGA: Loadsure
After two decades in the London market Johnny McCord decided the time was right to set up his own business. The Loadsure CEO and founder explains how a light bulb moment led him reinventing cargo insurance as a ‘true’ insurtech.
Opinion: How long have directly authorised independent brokers got left?
Lea Cheesbrough, managing director of Movo Partnership argues the appointed representative model is becoming the preferred choice for start-up brokers and increasingly popular among directly authorised firms looking to switch.
CFC targets start-ups and SMEs with intellectual property policy
CFC has launched a product specifically designed to protect start-ups and small businesses from threats to their intellectual property.
Start-up broker targets £1m income in five years
Start-up broker Ash Tree Insurance, which specialises in the agriculture and the SME sector, is targeting £1m income in five years.
Are brokers bucking the trend of insurtech investment struggles?
According to a new Gallagher Re report, global insurtech investment fell in the fourth quarter of 2022 to its lowest level since the third quarter of 2020. Sophie Locke-Cooper details why some may be struggling even if there are signs of hope among…