Training
Acorn recruits four more apprentices in record year
Kelly Magee, head of learning and development at Acorn Group, has highlighted apprenticeships bring in a more diverse workforce as the business adds four more taking its total to 24 in a record year.
Broker Expo 2025 Countdown: SRG’s Joanne Wright
As we count down to Broker Expo in October, we caught up with speaker Joanne Wright, group people and culture director at Specialist Risk Group, who will be taking part in a session focused on building stronger client loyalty through culture, purpose and…
Allianz Commercial boss Ly: 90% of underwriting decisions to be made locally
Allianz Commercial is seeking to de-centralise nine in ten underwriting decisions as it seeks to fulfill its ambition to become the “the easiest insurer to do deal with”.
Broker Expo 2025 Countdown: Zing365’s James Read
As we count down to Broker Expo in October, we caught up with James Read, CCO at exhibitor Zing365, who explains why delegates should visit its stand to learn more about Zing Total CPD, its new comprehensive learning and compliance solution.
Aviva’s rising stars programme sees cohort promotions
Poppy Keys, construction commercial broker executive at ABA Insurance Commercial, has implemented a number of changes following Aviva’s rising stars programme, as five of its participants gain promotions.
Alan Boswell crowned Broker of the Year at 2025 BIAs
Alan Boswell Group won Broker of the Year at the 2025 British Insurance Awards last night (9 July).
FCA’s Brewis responds to 15-hour training removal pushback
Matt Brewis, director of insurance at the FCA, has responded to the pushback against the watchdog proposing to end the specified minimum hours of training and development required for insurance employees.
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.