UK
Abbeyautoline owner Prestige creates broker Stroll as it invests £3m in digital
Prestige Insurance Holdings is investing over £3m and creating 60 jobs in Northern Ireland as it launches digitally-led broking brand Stroll next year.
SRG adds Joe Hanly as CFO
Specialist Risk Group has appointed Joe Hanly as group chief financial officer replacing Charlie Love who is leaving to pursue other opportunities having been with the business since October 2018.
Aon hires UK commercial risk chief broking officer from WTW
Aon has named Angela James chief broking officer for its UK commercial risk division, joining from Willis Towers Watson.
SRG launches MX Underwriting MGA with £100m target for 2022
Specialist Risk Group has unveiled managing general agent MX Underwriting bringing together GB Underwriting, CLS Risk Solutions and Blackrock Insurance Solutions with Lime Insurance.
Ardonagh valued at $7.5bn as Abu Dhabi Investment Authority joins investor roster
The Ardonagh Group has secured investment from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and “several other large global institutions”, giving the group a multi-billion dollar valuation.
Interview: Andrew Wallin, Ardonagh Specialty
Ardonagh buying the insurance operations of BGC Partners was a “rocket fuel moment” for both organisations with opportunities abounding after the deal which doubled the size of the specialty business, according to Ardonagh Specialty CEO Andrew Wallin.
GRP holdco sets baseline for Searchlight era with inaugural £42m operating profit
Global Risk Partners’ holding company GRP (Jersey) Holdco has posted turnover of £128.8m in its first set of annual results.
Former and current Fresh owners settle legal case
Kingfisher UK Holdings, NSM Insurance and the sellers of Fresh Insurance have settled the legal dispute over the sale of the business.
Catherine Read appointed COO for UK and Ireland at Marsh
Marsh has named Catherine Read as chief operating officer for UK and Ireland taking up the post on 4 January.
Blog: Pay-as-you-buy insurance – a customer choice-based concept
Telematics has created an acceptance of data sharing that paves the way for insurers and their customers to access the benefits from open banking data, argues Sara Costantini, managing director of Crif Decision Solutions.
Marsh McLennan appoints Francis Bouchard as managing director of climate
Francis Bouchard has joined the Marsh McLennan Advantage team as managing director of climate.
Bought By Many doubles GWP and reveals now live in 28 US states
Bought By Many owner Many Group wrote £146m of gross written premium in 2020/21 with turnover up 113% at £37.13m, the business has revealed.
Trade Voice: ABI's Ben Howarth on looking at climate change's impact on customers
Ben Howarth, the Association of British Insurers' climate change and open data policy manager, argues that insurers' approach to climate change ought to focus on the impact on customers.
Incoming Norgrove praised amid market surprise at Egan's RSA departure
Market specialists were surprised by RSA UK & International CEO Scott Egan’s departure but welcomed Ken Norgrove as the new RSA leader and urged him to push on with making the provider more outward looking.
Ardonagh Advisory adds COO and CTO
Ardonagh Advisory has appointed Marcus Golby as chief operating officer and Tom Clark as chief technology officer.
Sampo buys out RMI to take over Hastings in full
Finnish insurer Sampo has paid Rand Merchant Investment Holdings £685m for its 30% stake in Hastings and now owns the whole business.
'Challenging' changes ahead under consumer duty
The Financial Conduct Authority’s consumer duty proposals are set to 'change the face' of the consumer financial services market, experts have said.
Interview: Johnny Timpson
Post meets Johnny Timpson, the driving force behind the Access to Insurance Working Group, which led to the creation of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s Access to Insurance Committee launched last summer.
FCA's consumer duty to cost firms up to £2.4bn
The Financial Conduct Authority has estimated that businesses will face a one-off bill of up to £2.4bn to comply with its proposed consumer duty rules, with ongoing annual direct costs of up to £176m.
FCA unveils consumer duty 'to drive a fundamental shift in industry mindset'
The Financial Conduct Authority has opened a consultation on the introduction of a consumer duty highlighting its concerns that financial services do not currently always work well for consumers.
ABI adds Colm Holmes and Clare Bousfield to board
The Association of British Insurers has added Allianz UK CEO Colm Holmes and Clare Bousfield, managing director for retail and savings at M&G, to its board.
Blog: Bringing entertainment risk into the spotlight
Pippa Morris, senior underwriter for entertainment at Markel International, discusses emerging risks in the film and TV industry, and how brokers and production companies can stay on top.
Aston Lark’s Peter Blanc on why tough conversations are the most important ones with clients
Peter Blanc, group CEO of Aston Lark, warns against taking the “easy road” in client conversations urging the industry to focus on the right claims outcomes with risks and risk mitigation instead of premiums at the top of the renewal agenda.
Storm Barra bears down on UK and Ireland
Storm Barra is expected to hit the Republic of Ireland before moving across to the UK tomorrow, bringing strong winds and rain in the wake of Arwen’s destruction.