Commercial
Aviva cites ‘favourable’ PL rating as UK&I GI profits surge
Aviva has reported its UK and Ireland general insurance business grew gross written premiums by 16% while the provider’s operating profit surged 63% in 2023, and GI CEO Jason Storah said he is “confident” the business “will build on success” in 2024.
Q&A: Gus Majed, Paratus
Gus Majed, group CEO and founder of Paratus, explains why he launched the business to offer energy and freight insurance policies to protect producers and consumers from energy price risks.
Why more men should join insurance’s inclusivity circus
Ahead of International Women’s Day (8 March), Cecile Fresneau, managing director of QBE’s insurance division, explains why we should stop talking about women spinning plates and get more men to take parental leave and become part of the childcare…
Allianz Commercial bolsters regional distribution management
Allianz Commercial has appointed four regional distribution managers covering the South, North, Midlands and the South West, and London regions.
Equine insurance under starter’s orders
Post Podcast: Ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, equine insurers explore how the sector helped horse owners when racing returned after the Covid-19 lockdown caused meetings to be cancelled.
Hiscox sets sights on 5%-15% retail growth after subdued 2023
Hiscox is aiming to grow its UK retail business by 5% to 15% in 2024, after new business growth in 2023 fell “below management expectations”.
Why the ABI is getting Snippy on insurance premium tax
Trade Voice: Chris Blackwood, head of communications at the Association of British Insurers, explains the trade body’s efforts to ‘unmask’ insurance premium tax.
Diary of an Insurer: Allianz’s Felix Wong
Felix Wong, diversity and inclusion consultant at Allianz, draws parallels between Disney Plus’s ‘The Bear’ and the insurance industry as he works to make the sector more inclusive for colleagues and customers.
Zurich’s Brettell shares her story to inspire inclusion
Ahead of International Women’s Day on Friday (8 March), Amy Brettell, managing director at Zurich Municipal, shares who inspires her to overcome imposter syndrome and work towards a more inclusive insurance industry.
Who’s next on Lloyd’s Big Game hit list after snagging Aviva?
Content Director’s View: With Aviva tipped to return to Lloyd’s in 2024, Jonathan Swift weighs up who else might be trailed, tracked and snared by the market’s CEO John Neal.
Markel’s Browning on creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces
View From the Top: Joanna Browning, senior managing director of people experience at Markel, says diversity and inclusion is not something you can ‘complete’.
Q&A: Paul Jewell, Bridgehaven
Paul Jewell, CEO of Bridgehaven, talks to Insurance Post about the advantages of the hybrid fronting model and reinsurers’ reticence around motor business.
RSA’s Frost named COO for Hiscox UK
Hiscox has appointed RSA’s mid-market managing director Cath Frost as UK chief operating officer, effective from 15 April.
RSA to be ‘number one’ in commercial lines by end of 2025
RSA will be the best commercial lines and specialty insurance company by the end of 2025, according to Ken Norgrove, the provider’s CEO.
Is technology the solution to underinsurance?
Rebecca Fuller, managing director and global fixed asset advisory services leader at risk advisory firm Kroll, explains why without technology insurers and brokers haven't got a hope in hell of knowing whether a property is underinsured.
Winds of change in renewable energy insurance
Post Podcast: How insurers are supporting the switch from fossil fuels, providing cover for older windfarms and helping develop greener forms of energy is the subject of the latest podcast.
Frost to leave RSA amid appointments from NIG
RSA regions managing director Cath Frost is set to leave the business, as new appointments from NIG join the insurer’s new look commercial lines leadership team headed by Sonya Bryson.
CII’s Groves on bridging the climate expectations gap
Trade Voice: Tim Groves, programme development and partnership manager at the Chartered Insurance Institute, considers ways to bridge the gap between the risks insurers are able to cover and those the public think they should cover.
NFU Mutual lifts the lid on cost of recent storms
NFU Mutual has urged customers to make flood-resilient repairs, after revealing £10m of flood damage was reported to it following Storm Henk last month.
Diary of an Insurer: Aurora’s Lauren Stables
Lauren Stables, head of digital trading at Aurora, works on the start-up MGA’s next product launch, shares ideas with brokers and providers while also mucking out her horses and playing ball with her four dogs.
What M&A activity in 2023 indicates for deals in 2024
Data analysis: The number of UK insurance merger and acquisition deals rose from 98 in 2022 to 112 in 2023, but total deal value fell significantly from £5.1bn to £3.3bn year-on-year.
British Insurance Awards deadline for entries is 1 March
The clock is ticking to enter the 2024 British Insurance Awards – all entries must be submitted by the 1 March deadline.
Insurers urged to help curb illegal charter flights
The insurance industry has been urged to play its part in raising awareness around the issue of illegal charter in the aviation sector.
Impact of war in Ukraine on insurance
Two years on from Russia invading Ukraine, David Worsfold examines the ongoing impact of the war on global insurance markets.