Articles by Frances Stebbing
‘Serious concerns’ about Ombudsman power to increase redress awards by 20% in two years
Industry experts shared concerns that the Financial Ombudsman Service's award limits are “very high” and could push small firms out of business.
Ombudsman compensation limit soars to £415K
From the start of next month the Financial Ombudsman Service's award limits will increase from £375,000 to £415,000 for acts or omissions by insurance firms on or after 1 April 2019.
Multiple insurers join neurodiversity campaign
The Group for Autism, Insurance, Investment and Neurodiversity has launched a campaign to push the way the insurance industry operates to better enable and equip neurodivergent employees.
SVB collapse sparks long-term funding fears for UK tech sector
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and a rescue deal from HSBC has raised questions about the future of the UK tech space and startups’ access to funding.
Insurtechs send Chancellor ‘thank you’ letter after HSBC rescue of SVB UK
The UK insurtech sector has praised HSBC’s acquisition of the UK arm of Silicon Valley Bank, following its collapse on 10 March.
Q&A: James Baird and Paul Richards, Consilium
Consilium recently brought in Paul Richards to lead the business as co-CEO alongside James Baird, who was appointed CEO in November. Insurance Post asks them how the two-CEO structure works, and how being colleagues for 23 years helped shape the decision.
Ifed secures first Serious Crime Prevention Order
The Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department has obtained its first ever Serious Crime Prevention Order against a fraudster who scammed insurers and lawyers out of nearly £250,000, and its DCI is targeting more orders in the future.
Howden snaps up Reich
Howden has bought Reich Insurance Group, for an undisclosed sum, in a “significant step” to increase its footprint across north west England.
Percayso lines up further acquisitions following Cazana deal
Percayso Inform is looking for further acquisition opportunities following its purchase of Cazana last week, managing director Rich Tomlinson has told Post.
Neurodivergent people under-supported in the workplace, claims Gain
Gain, the Group for Autism, Insurance, Investment and Neurodiversity says neurodivergent people are facing “disparity” in the workplace, and will end up falling through the cracks like other groups in the industry.
Fluffy CEO reveals plan to stand-out from the pet insurance crowd
Pavel Gertsberg, CEO of Fluffy, has revealed how he intends to make pet insurance pricing more transparent and affordable in a bid to bridge the 40% to 60% protection gap that currently exists in the market.
Aviva changing approach for customers with mental health conditions after ‘asking too many questions’
Aviva has acknowledged it has asked “too many questions” to people who reveal mental health conditions, and that it needs to do more to support these customers.
Consilium's co-CEOs are targeting £1bn GWP by 2026
Consilium's co-CEOs James Baird and Paul Richards say the focus for 2023 is growing speciality areas, and to deliver £1bn in gross written premium by 2026.
Menopause still a ‘taboo’ subject for women in insurance
Vicky Wallis, chief people officer at Direct Line Group, expressed concerns that if the “culture is not right” for women in the industry, they can’t have open conversations about the menopause.
Insurers trapped with ill-designed systems, claims Peppercorn CEO
Nigel Lombard, Peppercorn founder and chief executive, believes insurers are trapped with processes that were designed very much on the provider’s agenda, rather than on the customer’s.
War on wages sees insurers struggling to fill vacancies
Insurer employees believing the only way to get more money to cover the cost-of-living crisis was to move jobs resulted in an unprecedented number of job vacancies in 2022, according to labour market analysis.
How EU ruling pushed up the price of motor insurance
Analysis: Frances Stebbing explores the impact of the European Union’s gender-neutral pricing rules on how motor insurance is underwritten and priced today.
AIG sacks interim CFO for violating confidentiality agreements
American International Group has made senior leadership changes after it found its chief financial officer, Mark Lyons, had breached confidentiality obligations.
Insurer's diversity data collection called into question
Data analysis: Following the Financial Conduct Authority’s report on diversity and inclusion strategies in financial services firms in December, Insurance Post surveys attitudes towards D&I strategy among major insurers.
Regulation and cyber dominate in Biba's 2023 manifesto
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has laid out increasing take-up of cyber insurance and reducing the cost regulation as top priorities for 2023.
Class uncovered as biggest barrier to insurance career progression - KPMG
Women from a lower socio-economic and ethnic minority background face the longest, hardest climb to the top of the insurance industry, a KPMG report has revealed.
Clyde & Co eyes further global expansion following DWF raid
Clyde & Co has expanded its product liability team expansion and plans for global growth in 2023.
Superscript says there is still appetite to fund insurtechs
UK-based insurtech Superscript has insisted its recent £45m fundraising shows there is still appetite to fund tech-led disruptors with "good business models".
Lloyd’s Lab graduate Armd targets £6.5bn trades market
Armd, one of Insurance Post’s insurtech start-ups to watch in 2022, has recently graduated from the Lloyd’s Lab and used the experience to build a product designed to support the trades industry.