Swinton
Editor's comment: Add-on agony advances
The insurance industry is no stranger to damning verdicts and this week’s, in the form of a report into the level of competition in the add‑ons market, must come as no surprise.
Mergers & Acquisitions: Buying with Confidence
2013 saw a rise in the number of mergers and acquisitions deals in the general insurance sector. Is this trend likely to continue, and where will firms look to grow their businesses?
Swinton returns to TV screens after splashing out on ad campaign
Swinton will unveil a £7.5m advertising campaign on UK television screens next week in support of its wider transformation programme.
BIA Countdown: 20 years of personal lines insurance
As part of Post's countdown to the 20th anniversary of the British Insurance Awards in July, we spoke to personal lines specialists who have experienced wins over the years, asking them how the industry has changed since the first BIAs in 1994.
Brokers clamour for compliance assistance after record Homeserve fine
Commentators suggest fine is evidence of FCA’s strong stance on mis-selling.
Swinton in Welsh language consultation
Swinton is to consult with the Welsh Language Commissioner following reports it requires staff to consult with customers in English.
Brokers could be probed in personal accident policy mis-selling investigation
Shadow business secretary accuses six employment agencies of mis-selling.
Swinton Commercial acquires Welsh intermediary's GI book
Swinton Commercial has acquired the general insurance book of Welsh intermediary Anderson Insurance Services.
Swinton recruits former Direct Line MD Moat as non-exec
Swinton has named former Direct Line motor managing director Chris Moat as a non-executive director, Post can reveal.
2014 tipped to see consolidation surge as sector’s M&A appetite increases
Regulatory certainty, soft market and economic recovery make deals likely.
FCA insurance fines rise 160% in 2013
Fines imposed on the insurance sector by the regulator rose to £44.6m last year, up 160% on the previous year.
Swinton acquires Harrogate insurer's GI book
Swinton has acquired the general insurance book of Harrogate-based insurer Harrington Bates while announcing it expects another acquisition deal to be completed this month.
High Street Brokers: Word on the street
While many had expected the increase in alternative methods of buying insurance to signal the demise of high-street brokers, they are still going strong. What are they doing right?
Unsecured Drive Assist creditors to share £600k
Drive Assist liquidator Zolfo Cooper has informed Post that latest estimates suggest unsecured creditors of the credit hire firm must split around £600 000.
Expert Analysis: Autumn watch
IGO4’s aggregator analysis reveals that while demand for motor quotes remains high, home insurance has stalled at a disappointing level.
Swinton urges closer broker ties with IFB after Gumtree success
Social networking sites and eBay still targeted by ghost brokers
Insurance Fraud Awards 2013: Winners announced
Growing once again in popularity, the fifth annual Insurance Fraud Awards received a record number of entries, reflecting the industry's on-going determination to stamp out insurance fraud across the UK.
Your say: Swinton ‘bigger and stronger’
Post’s article ‘Rivals set to take advantage of Swinton’s downsizing plans’ gives a wholly misleading impression in its tone and treatment of Swinton Insurance’s plans for growth and development.
Interview: Ben Fletcher: Taking the fight to fraudsters
Not satisfied with solely battling organised motor fraud, Insurance Fraud Bureau director Ben Fletcher tells Post how, through better industry collaboration, the IFB could extend its remit to other areas.
Rivals set to take advantage of Swinton’s downsizing plans
Firm to close 100 of its 500 branches by end of 2014
Editor's comment: Don’t count your (fried) chickens
In my 10 years working on Post and with the insurance sector, I have lost count of the number of times the death knell has been sounded for the high-street broker.
Direct Group strengthens finance and property teams
Direct Group has appointed Julia Harwood and Maria Rogers as finance business partner for the distribution division and property customer services manager respectively.
Swinton profits to remain flat until 2015: Bardet
Swinton chief executive Christrophe Bardet said the broker may not post improved figures until 2015 after a steep drop in profits and turnover for 2012.
FCA fine not to blame for profit slump as Swinton plots job cuts
Swinton has attributed changes to its sales practices following regulatory action over the mis-selling of add-on products to a drop in its annual turnover last year, which sunk to £301.4m from £329.1m in 2011.