Consolidation
PIB to increase GWP to £900m with Cobra acquisition
PIB will see its gross written premium grow from £550m to £900m with the acquisition of Cobra.
Fourth acquisition in two weeks caps off recent cluster of GRP broker buys
Exclusive: Higos, GRP’s hub business in the South West, has acquired The Insurance Group for an undisclosed sum.
Analysis: Consolidators look to Europe for acquisitions as UK competition grows
The UK has seen a wave of consolidation in regional broking over the past few years, making competition for viable targets a challenge. In response, several consolidators are starting to look to Ireland and Europe as a potential area of expansion.
Editor's comment: Broker rebellion?
May is upon us and that means that thousands of insurance brokers are preparing for the annual camp out in Manchester to hear what their trade body the British Insurance Brokers’ Association is doing for them, plans to do for them and how insurers can…
Interview: Michael Rea, Gallagher
With Gallagher re-entering the M&A game after a four year hiatus, Michael Rea spoke to Harry Curtis about what makes a good deal, how consolidation is changing, why restrictive covenants need to be upheld and the Ardonagh court case
Uptick in start-up broker applications leads Marsh Networks to develop fresh offerings
Exclusive: Marsh Networks has seen an increase in the number of start-up brokers expressing interest in joining, leading it to create two packages to attract them to its networks.
Analysis: Iprism moving beyond Gable
Managing general agent Iprism's latest accounts show profits dived and tens of millions of pounds was wiped off the valuation of the company, following the demise of former unrated insurer partner Gable.
Interview: Amanda Blanc, Zurich
Amanda Blanc’s move from Axa to Zurich was perhaps the most talked about people move of 2018. The Association of British Insurers chair spoke to Jen Frost about her plans for the business in the coming year
Marsh looks to further €1.1bn of debt to fund JLT acquisition
Marsh is raising €1.1bn (£942m) through a senior notes offering, in addition to the $5bn (£3.8bn) it has previously announced.
British Insurance Awards at 25: The judges reflect on the changing market
With the deadline for entering the British Insurance Awards getting ever closer, what better time to introduce the judges who will be casting an eye over these years submissions? Post canvasses them for their favourite memories of previous BIAs and their…
Analysis: Review of 2018
The spectre of Brexit loomed large over the insurance sector this year, and although the picture is still no clearer in terms of how the UK market will continue to trade with Europe after 29 March 2019, significant merger & acquisition activity was among…
Aviva small broker community not ‘anti-network’
Aviva's small broker community is not a threat to networks or spurred on by consolidation in the regional market, said the company's managing director of intermediaries Phil Bayles.
Brokerbility targets younger brokers to boost membership numbers
Independent broking network Brokerbility is targeting brokers with younger management teams in a bid to avoid clashing with consolidators, managing director Ian Stutz told Post.
County Group expects to close more deals after swooping for Derby-based broker
The County Group has made its second acquisition of the year, having acquired Derby-based broker Rahon Insurance.
Marsh's JLT deal 'could drive further M&A'
Marsh’s $5.6bn (£4.2bn) acquisition of JLT could spell opportunity for private equity-backed brokers, analysts believe.
Lockyers snapped up by Broker Network
Yorkshire-based broker Lockyers is the latest to be bought by Broker Network.
Analysis: Commission costs and conflicts
Aviva and GRP’s split rekindles the consolidator commission debate
Axa and Allianz strike latest GRP broker deals
Axa has taken on the agency for the commercial combined and fleet business portfolios for GRP’s ‘south-eastern hub’ Green Insurance Group (Greens), while Allianz has made a bespoke agreement with GRP’s Sagar, McGrady’s and Abbey Bond Lovis to take on…
Three loss adjusters join forces to tackle tougher market
Exclusive: Three independent loss adjusters will eventually merge under a single brand in order to better face off against a wave of consolidation in the market.
GRP's Mike Bruce on win-win consolidation
Mergers and acquisitions take many shapes in the UK retail broking market, writes Mike Bruce, CEO broking at Global Risk Partners, noting some deals can actually support an owner's entrepreneurial spirit.
Willis Towers Watson Networks' Sara Fardon on protecting the value of brokers' local expertise
Independent brokers face ever-evolving challenges, which networks can help them take up, argues Sara Fardon, managing director of Willis Towers Watson Networks.
Profile: Phil Barton, Jelf
With massive investment and growth since its acquisition by Marsh, Jelf CEO Phil Barton tells Will Kirkman about the broker’s plans for the future
Sedgwick appoints Malcolm Hughes as Ireland CEO
Sedgwick has appointed Malcolm Hughes as CEO of its Ireland operations.
Ardonagh backers complete Compass acquisition
MDS and HPS Investment Partners have completed the acquisition of Compass Broker Holdings following approval from the Financial Conduct Authority.