Jonathan Swift
Content director, insurance
Jonathan has written and commented about the insurance industry since 1998 as a reporter, news editor, editor and content director at Incisive Media.
He has appeared on television speaking about topics as diverse as the insurance implications of Michael Jackson's death to the consequences of consolidation on motor premiums; and is a past winner of the British Insurance Brokers' Association journalist of the year and Association of British Insurers general insurance trade journalist prizes.
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Articles by Jonathan Swift
Axa UK CEO warns PM Cameron telematic rates are not a silver bullet for young drivers
The CEO of Axa UK & Ireland Paul Evans has warned PM David Cameron that telematics is not a silver bullet to sort out the issue of restrictive insurance prices for young drivers.
Cooper Gay UK MGA undergoes an MBO
Cooper Gay & Co has rebranded its MGA platform, Oliva, as Globe Underwriting as part of a decision to refocus on international business.
Zurich sees 19% drop in GI profits after US$1bn cat losses in 2011
Zurich recorded a general insurance business operating profit of US$2.3bn in 2011, a decrease of US$403m or by 15% in US dollar terms and 19% on a local currency basis.
Cooper Gay UK MGA undergoes an MBO
Cooper Gay & Co has rebranded its MGA platform, Oliva, as Globe Underwriting as part of a decision to refocus on international business.
Zurich sees 19% drop in GI profits after US$1bn cat losses in 2011
Zurich recorded a general insurance business operating profit of US$2.3bn in 2011, a decrease of US$403m or by 15% in US dollar terms and 19% on a local currency basis.
Axa UK returns to profit with 98.9% GI COR but still at a loss in motor
Axa returned to profit in 2011 reporting underlying earnings of £133m (2010: loss of £63m; restated to exclude the contribution from sold activities).
Plumeri "not satisfied" with Willis in Q4 as UK sees double digit drop
Willis has declared that it saw a double-digit decline in the Willis UK and Ireland retail business in the fourth quarter of 2011.
JLT merges Spanish arm with local giant
JLT is to combine its existing Spanish retail broking business JLT-SIACI Espana SL with the business of March - Unipsa Correduria de Seguros, SAU (Unipsa), the fourth largest commercial insurance broker in Spain and a subsidiary of Banca March, to form…
Houghton departure triggers new Aspen board search
Aspen has begun the search for a new chief financial officer to succeed Richard Houghton, who will be leaving the company effective 29 February to pursue other opportunities.
New year European windstorm damage estimated at €267m
Perils has today disclosed an initial loss estimate for windstorm Andrea, which occurred in Western Europe from 4-5 January 2012, of €267m.
Willis backs down on contingent commission stance to remain "fully competitive"
Willis has admitted it is to review its practices after revealing it will begin to accept contingent commissions from 1 April in its employee benefits arm.
Plumeri "not satisfied" with Willis in Q4 as UK sees double digit drop
Willis has declared that it saw a double-digit decline in the Willis UK and Ireland retail business in the fourth quarter of 2011.
JLT merges Spanish arm with local giant
JLT is to combine its existing Spanish retail broking business JLT-SIACI Espana SL with the business of March - Unipsa Correduria de Seguros, SAU (Unipsa), the fourth largest commercial insurance broker in Spain and a subsidiary of Banca March, to form…
Houghton departure triggers new Aspen board search
Aspen has begun the search for a new chief financial officer to succeed Richard Houghton, who will be leaving the company effective 29 February to pursue other opportunities.
New year European windstorm damage estimated at €267m
Perils has today disclosed an initial loss estimate for windstorm Andrea, which occurred in Western Europe from 4-5 January 2012, of €267m.
PM and insurers unveil six point plan after motor premium summit
The Prime Minister has committed to tackling the compensation culture, reducing legal costs and cutting health and safety red tape.
RSA's Brown re-jigs top team to make business less 'complicated' to deal with
RSA’s UK and western European CEO Adrian Brown today outlined plans to simplify its business in order to get closer to its customers, whether brokers or consumers, having admitted that its structure may have previously been “too complicated”.
Former RBSI and Zurich European boss Court resurfaces at Admiral
Admiral has appointed Annette Court as an independent non-executive director, subject to FSA approval.
FSA boss: Insurers and brokers face 'twin peak' regulatory model from April
The Financial Services Authority will reach a "major milestone" in the regulatory reform programme on 2 April 2012, namely the introduction of a ‘twin peaks’ model operating within the FSA.
Amlin reports renewal rates up 4% in 2012
Amlin has written total income to date of £746.4m in 2012, net of brokerage - a 19.2% increase on the prior year.
Hodges reunites with former Aviva colleague Egan as Patrick quits Towergate
Towergate Insurance has appointed Scott Egan as group finance director.
Swiss Re and Mapfre take a bigger slice of Admiral
Admiral has extended its existing UK car insurance reinsurance partnerships with Hannover Re, Mapfre Re, New Re and Swiss Re into 2014.
Ace boss Greenberg sees "firming rates" in Q4 as 2011 profit falls 49% to $1.59bn
Ace Insurance has reported 49% change in its year end profit having reported net income of $1.59bn (2010: $3.11bn) in 2011.
Ex-Direct Line boss to chair A&A group after PE-backed MBO
Darwin Private Equity has entered into an agreement to acquire The A&A Group and Hyperformance Limited in a management buyout.