Articles by Harry Curtis
Mapfre looks to strengthen links to 'big five' brokers
Mapfre has appointed Chris Smith to the newly-created position of chief global brokers officer.
This week: What does the fox say?
Brightside’s new managing general agent Kitsune takes its name from the Japanese word for fox. The animal is much admired in Japanese folklore for its intelligence and supernatural abilities – characteristics all the insurance companies that announced…
Hiscox stages 'cyber attack' on bike shop
Hiscox recently joined forces with Brompton Bicycle to stage a brick-and-mortar simulation of common hacking practices such as phishing and ransomware to demonstrate the risk of cyber attacks to small businesses.
Brightside MGA Kitsune targets £37m GWP in first 18 months
Exclusive: Brightside's newly-launched managing general agent, Kitsune Associates, is aiming to reach in £20 to 25m in gross written premium in its first year of trading, with plans to potentially reach £37m within 18 months.
Interview: James Heath, Forum of Insurance Lawyers
Late last year, James Heath was appointed the 23rd president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, succeeding Stephen Hines. He speaks to Post about the legal issues facing the industry.
Clyde & Co launches new training programme to improve gender balance
Clyde & Co has launched a communication-oriented training programme targeted at female lawyers as they strive to build a more gender-balanced brand.
Granite Underwriting gets private equity backing for growth plans
Inflexion Private Equity has made a minority investment in speciality motor insurer, Granite Underwriting.
Kingsbridge acquires gig economy insurtech Dinghy
Kingsbridge Group has acquired of insurtech company Dinghy, which provides on-demand professional indemnity cover to freelancers and ‘gig’ economy workers.
42% of insurers and brokers have made or are considering Brexit moves
Nearly half of insurance brokers and insurers are considering moving or have confirmed that they are moving some of their operations and staff as a result of Brexit.
Lloyd's and Hiscox 'unaffected' by 9/11 hack
Lloyd’s of London and Hiscox have said they were not hacked and were unaffected by a security breach by a hacker group calling itself the Dark Overlord.
Analysis: How insurers are preventing the Brexit brain drain
Insurers are coming up with ways to get round obstacles to doing business in Europe after Brexit
FCA sets March deadline for CMC permissions
The Financial Conduct Authority has invited claims management to register for temporary permission to continue operating once the sector enters the financial regulator’s remit later this year.
Stackhouse Poland acquires medical indemnity broker
Stackhouse Poland has continued its acquisition drive into the New Year, acquiring specialist medical indemnity broker, Bespoke Medical Indemnity.
Lloyd's mandates brokers move to electronic placement alongside new targets
Lloyd’s has confirmed electronic placement targets for the first half of 2019, alongside a new mandate that all Lloyd’s brokers will be required to connect to a recognised electronic placement platform by 1 June 2019.
FSCS working with Danish Guarantee Fund to compensate customers of bankrupt Qudos
Qudos, the unrated Danish insurance company that was placed in liquidation last month, has been declared bankrupt.
Neon Underwriting appoints new CEO and managing director
Lloyd’s managing agency, Neon Underwriting Limited has appointed Theo Butt and Matthew Washington to the positions of CEO and managing director respectively, subject to Lloyd’s and PRA approval.
Insurers face 'significant' travel claims as Gatwick drones event declared extraordinary circumstance by CAA
Passengers whose flights were cancelled or delayed as a result of the disruption at Gatwick Airport may not be eligible for compensation by airlines so travel insurance claims are expected.
Nexus acquires Hiscox Global Flying
Nexus-owned Millstream Underwriting has acquired aviation insurer, Hiscox Global Flying.
Lloyd's Brussels appoints Sonja Rottiers as CEO
Lloyd’s Brussels has appointed Sonja Rottiers as its CEO. She will also be Lloyd’s regional director for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
ABI criticises European Commission's plans for no-deal Brexit
The Association of British Insurers has criticised the European Commission for failing to make contingency plans that would allow UK insurers to fulfil contracts with EU policyholders in the case of a no-deal Brexit.
Crawford appoints new global president of Global Technical Services
Crawford & Company has appointed Andrew Bart as global president of its Global Technical Services division.
Abbey Insurance owners acquire fellow Northern Ireland broker Autoline
Prestige Insurance Holdings, which owns Northern Irish personal lines broker Abbey Insurance, has reached an agreement to acquire Autoline Insurance.
Trust Re ratings withdrawn due to financial statement delays
AM Best and S&P have withdrawn their financial strength ratings for Bahrain-based Trust Re, due to delays in the reinsurer publishing its financial statements for 2017.
Gallagher acquires South West commercial broker
Gallagher has acquired Devon-based commercial insurance broker Pavey Group, in its fourth acquisition of the year.