Articles by Emma Ann Hughes
Can debt-heavy brokers survive rising rates and scrutiny?
Leveraged buyouts have transformed the UK broking sector into a private equity powerhouse, but with debt costs climbing and organic growth harder to achieve, Emma Ann Hughes reveals questions are mounting over how sustainable the model really is.
Belonging best practice in insurance
In a special episode of the Insurance Post Podcast, recorded to coincide with this year’s Dive In Festival, how insurers and brokers can move beyond intention to create real impact on inclusion and belonging is explored.
Lloyd’s CEO says culture isn't a side project
Lloyd’s CEO Patrick Tiernan opened the market’s Dive In festival this morning (16 September), calling culture “not a side project” but the foundation of long-term performance.
Protestors disrupt Lloyd’s Dive In festival launch
Protestors interrupted the launch of the Dive In festival this morning (16 September), walking on stage as Lloyd’s CEO Patrick Tiernan opened the London market’s annual diversity and inclusion event.
Belonging in the insurance industry
In the first of two special episodes of the Insurance Post Podcast, recorded to mark Dive In, AND-E’s Gemma Robinson and Markel’s Erik Johnson reveal what it takes to create workplaces where everyone feels they truly fit.
Landfill Tax overhaul could push up insurance prices
Peter Wassell, technical director of Sedgwick Repair Solutions, has warned the government’s plan to reform Landfill Tax could have unintended consequences for insurance premiums.
Cyber insurers grapple with AI and automation risks
Insurers are rethinking how to underwrite cyber risks amid the rise of artificial intelligence and autonomous technologies, according to speakers at Insurance Post’s latest Underwriting Club debate.
Tomorrow’s World: Tackling fraud
How insurers can stay ahead of the growing number of fraudulent claims they receive is the topic of the final episode in Insurance Post’s Tomorrow’s World series.
Cila changes name and overhauls Charter
The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters has updated its Charter, restructured its governance, adopted a new name, and elected a new president and deputy president.
Unum UK enters health cash plan market
Unum UK has entered the health cash plan market, with Mark Till, CEO of Unum UK, revealing the insurer intends to become a top three provider.
HSB hires former Das boss Burke as CEO
Specialist engineering insurance and inspection services provider HSB UK & Ireland has appointed Andrew Burke, ex-CEO of Das UK Group, as its new CEO.
Why Kafka-length insurance policies need to go
Editor’s View: Fresh from a summer break, Emma Ann Hughes returns to an inbox brimming with industry news and a stark reminder from Fairer Finance that, two years on from Consumer Duty, insurance documents remain as impenetrable as a Kafka novel.
Tomorrow’s World: Cultural Change
How can insurers build workplaces that not only attract top talent but also drive meaningful, lasting change?
Hastings Direct and HF bring down car hire scam
Hastings Direct, backed by legal advisers HF, has dealt a blow to an elaborate scam orchestrated by Arrow Car Hire UK London.
Home Protect ready to roll out AI-powered claims system
Home Protect is getting ready to launch a fraud detection and claims settlement system in September that chief technology officer Dan Huddart has called a “genuine game changer” for insurance.
Q&A: Testudo’s George Lewin-Smith
George Lewin-Smith, CEO and co-founder of Testudo, shares his pioneering work to create a new category of insurance purpose-built for the generative artificial intelligence era by using real-time litigation data and working with Lloyd’s.
Tomorrow’s World: Product Development
As customer expectations shift and data becomes more powerful, the latest episode of Insurance Post’s Tomorrow’s World series reveals how insurers are rethinking how products are developed to stay relevant and future-ready.
Big Interview: Helen Sanson, CEO of The Insurance Charity
Helen Sanson, the new CEO of The Insurance Charity, is on a mission to modernise the 122-year-old institution, expand its reach across the sector, and make sure her organisation helps more workers in the industry overcome hardship.
The Insurance Charity’s CEO reveals new mission
Helen Sanson, the new CEO of The Insurance Charity, has a clear mission: give away more money and help more people in the insurance sector.
Tomorrow’s World: Pricing Practices
With data capabilities, artificial intelligence and real-time analytics continuing to evolve, the latest episode of Insurance Post’s Tomorrow’s World series explores the growing pressure insurers face to make pricing more sophisticated, transparent, and…
What the motor finance ruling means for broking pay
Editor’s View: After the Supreme Court ruling on motor finance sparked an £18bn redress scheme, Emma Ann Hughes asks could insurance broker commission be next under the Financial Conduct Authority’s spotlight?
Aviva’s Storah flags quick wins with Direct Line
Jason Storah, Aviva’s UK and Ireland general insurance CEO, has outlined early operational wins from the Direct Line takeover, and shared his growth plan for personal, commercial and specialty lines for the latter half of 2025.
Aviva’s Direct Line deal triggers £500 staff gift
Aviva has posted an operating profit of £1.07bn for the first half of 2025, up 22% on the start of 2024, and to “celebrate and recognise the acquisition” of Direct Line is giving £500-worth of free shares to staff in September.
Tomorrow’s World: Regulatory Requirements
How insurers can stay ahead of evolving regulation is the topic of the latest episode of Insurance Post’s Tomorrow’s World series.