Articles by Harry Curtis
Post's Jen Frost named among UK's top young journalists
Insurance Post senior reporter Jen Frost has been named as one of the top 30 young journalists in the UK.
Lloyd's invests in cloud-based distribution platform after in-house trial
Lloyd’s has invested in an insurtech cloud-based distribution platform for small businesses, following a successful trial in the market’s tech incubator.
Gallagher and Ardonagh return to court as closing statements begin
The parties in the ongoing legal dispute between Gallagher and Ardonagh returned to the Royal Courts of Justice yesterday, as the court heard closing statements from two of the defendants.
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
Broker to launch largest UK four-day week trial
Simply Business will trial a four-day working week for employees at its Northampton call centre from September.
Urban Jungle secures £2.5m in seed funding round
Urban Jungle, an insurtech targeted at “generation rent”, has raised £2.5m in a seed funding round.
Esure turns to reinsurance to improve solvency coverage
Esure improved its solvency capital coverage ratio to 149% over the first quarter of 2019, having seen it drop to 108% at the end of last year.
Regulators form working group to tackle 'phoenix' companies
Financial services regulators have formed a working group to collaborate on tackling ‘phoenixing’ in the sector, whereby companies or individuals avoid liabilities or penalties by shutting down businesses only to re-emerge as new legal entities.
Steve McGill launches new PE-backed specialty risk solutions business
Steve McGill, former group president of Aon, has launched a private equity-backed specialty risk solutions business alongside a team of other senior executives.
Lloyd's pitches automated online platform as it consults on future strategy
Lloyd’s CEO John Neal today launched a 10-week consultation on the future strategy of the insurance market, presenting six proposals that “could form the blueprint for a new Lloyd’s”.
Stephen Catlin points to 'vacuum of leadership in the London market' as he launches latest venture
Talking following the launch of new venture Convex yesterday, Stephen Catlin said “there is a vacuum of leadership in the London market”.
Spotlight on: Beazley's Birmingham office
Exclusive: Beazley opened its Birmingham office as part of a strategy to diversify away from its core US business. Fourteen months later, the office is likely to be held up as a model for the company's further expansion plans.
Catlin founder launches PE-backed specialty insurer Convex
Stephen Catlin and Paul Brand, both formerly executives at the Lloyd’s insurer that bore Catlin’s name, have launched a new specialty insurer and reinsurer with $1.8bn (£1.4bn) in initial capital.
Marsh and Guy Carpenter revenues grow as MMC posts Q1 results
Marsh & McLennan’s risk and insurance subsidiaries – Marsh and Guy Carpenter – brought in combined revenues of $2.42bn in the first quarter of 2019, a 3% increase on the same three months last year.
Flagging personal lines see Covéa's profits slashed
Covéa Insurance saw its underwriting profit slashed to £1.8m in 2018 compared to £12.4m in 2017, as its personal lines business felt the impact of claims inflation and adverse weather.
This week: Easter egg-citement
As we head towards a welcome four-day weekend, the insurance world has been getting in the spirit for Easter in the only natural way: smashing chocolate eggs.
Brexit and fair pricing lead FCA general insurance agenda for 2019/20
The Financial Conduct Authority has set out its priorities for the year ahead in its 2019/20 business plan, identifying Brexit as its “immediate priority”.
Trade credit claims mount as UK tops global insolvency forecasts
Trade credit insurer Atradius has forecast that global insolvencies are set to rise for the first time in 10 years, with the UK facing the highest increase of all advanced markets.
Motor premium upturn 'on the horizon' after modest Q4 price cuts: Confused and WTW
The price of car insurance fell 1.6% in the first quarter of 2019 after creeping upwards during the second half of 2018, according to the Confused car insurance price index, produced in association with Willis Towers Watson.
Global floods cause $8bn damage in March alone
An estimated $8bn (£6.1bn) of damage was caused by floods around the world in March 2019, according to an Aon catastrophe report.
Rising Star: Ali Pierce, Domestic & General
Listening to the needs of customers while working at Domestic & General's call centre led to Ali Pierce climbing to group head of communications.
FCA pledges crackdown on firms displaying disregard for customer outcomes: updated
The Financial Conduct Authority has warned general insurance firms that it "will not hesitate to intervene" if firms fail to meet their obligations to customers.
Insurance Hound: Most downloaded content by insurers in March
Four of the five articles downloaded most by Post’s sister title Insurance Hound’s insurer audience during March explicitly addressed ways in which technology has changed the insurance landscape.
Whiplash reforms drive £100 fall in car insurance premiums over last quarter
Car insurance premiums fell by £100 between December and February due to whiplash reforms and a six-month reduction in the number of car registrations, according to analysis by Comparethemarket.