Training
Interview: JP Allcock, managing director of commercial insurance at NFP Europe
NFP’s John Paul Allcock tells Insurance Age about building the broker’s UK arm from nine staff to over 300, buying and rebranding plans as well as how the business has fared since the takeover by Aon just over a year ago.
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…
CII members give thumbs down to FCA CPD proposal
The Chartered Insurance Institute has found significant opposition to the Financial Conduct Authority’s proposal to end the requirement for insurance employees to do a minimum of 15 hours training and development a year.
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.
Lycetts to invest more in technology, with opportunities in softening market – Barclay
Ian Barclay, CEO of Lycetts, told Insurance Age the broker is investing in technology whilst keeping face-to-face relationships with clients, as he sees opportunities in a softening market.
CII calls for 2025 New Generation Programme applications
The Chartered Insurance Institute 2025 New Generation Programme has opened for entries, with brokers having until 18 August to apply.
Zurich CEO Jaksic hails speed of broker service as key in softening market
The need for speed when it comes to broker service has been exacerbated in the softening commercial market, according to Zurich UK CEO Drazen Jaksic.
Jensten’s £1m investment in fledgling brokers, one year on
Jordan Maskell, network director at Jensten Group, has updated Insurance Age one year on from the announcement of its plans to invest up to £1m through Coversure to help people start their own brokers.
Q&A: Criterion managing director Helena Evans
Loss-adjusting boss Helena Evans outlines the latest trends her firm is seeing among high-net-worth customers, assesses the continued prevalence of underinsurance, and suggests how brokers can help combat fraud.
Biba 2025: FCA hoping approach will help build confidence in firms
The Financial Conduct Authority hopes firms build confidence in their knowledge of customer service and outcomes, as opposed to undertaking a “tickbox” exercise, delegates at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference in Manchester heard…
Zurich ‘in force’ at Biba conference, with capacity deals on the horizon – David Nichols
David Nichols, UK head of retail at Zurich, looks to grasp the opportunities of e-trade, highlights a “few more” capacity deals in the pipeline, and shares his key message for brokers ahead of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference next…
The FCA’s new five-year plan – what does it actually mean for brokers?
Following the recent publication of its new five-year plan, Insurance Age canvassed opinion from regulatory experts and market commentators on what brokers might expect from the the Financial Conduct Authority between now and 2030.
Scrapping minimum training hours – Q&A with Crescens George, CEO of Wiser Academy
Last month, the Financial Conduct Authority proposed scrapping the specified minimum hours of training and development required for insurance employees.
CII responds to FCA’s proposal to scrap minimum insurance training hours
The Chartered Insurance Institute has no plans to alter its Continuous Professional Development expectations for members in light of the Financial Conduct Authority’s proposal to end the specified minimum hours of training and development required for…
FCA to consult on removing minimum training and development hours in insurance
The Financial Conduct Authority will open a consultation this summer including on the definition of SME used in the insurance market as part of its ongoing review of Consumer Duty rules.
FUW launches account executive academy
Specialist agricultural insurance broker FUW Insurance Services has launched an internal account executive academy with six participants from its offices across Wales.
FCA finds ineffective monitoring of outcomes for vulnerable customers
The Financial Conduct Authority has reported ineffective outcomes-monitoring for vulnerable customers by financial services firms, with some businesses lacking clarity on what good looks like, and failing to have clear measurements.
MGAA’s Mike Keating sees opportunity to ramp up support material on claims
Mike Keating, CEO of the Managing General Agents’ Association, sees an opportunity to ramp up guidance on claims, while also highlighting the “extremely buoyant” MGA market.
Zurich takes aim at the ‘class ceiling’ as it reveals social mobility pay data
Zurich UK has published its social mobility pay data claiming it is the first insurer, and just one of a handful of companies, to do so as it committed to the ultimate goal of smashing the ‘class ceiling’.
MGAA unveils 2025 strategic vision
The Managing General Agents’ Association has set out it strategic vision and mission for 2025, focusing on education, amplifying its value to members, and data-driven insights.
Half of brokers struggle to recruit those aged under 30
Two thirds of brokers (64%) claim recruiting young talent is a strategic challenge for their business, according to research by Ecclesiastical, Insurance Age can reveal.
Young broker looks to grow skills on Aviva’s Rising Stars programme
Aviva Rising Stars participant Poppy Keys, commercial broker executive at ABA Insurance Commercial, confirms she is already seeing changes to her role thanks to the programme.
Aviva pledges more than £4m to Citizens Advice
Aviva has renewed its multi-year partnership with Citizens Advice, pledging more than £4m to the charity, following its two-year investment in 2022.
Review of the Year 2024: Allianz Commercial’s Nick Hobbs
Allianz Commercial chief distribution officer Nick Hobbs is intrigued by Aviva’s Probitas deal, bemoans the continued presence of underinsurance and hopes that the term ‘insurer service’ is consigned to the clickbait dustbin.