Broker
Brightside tipped to dip into £350m warchest for 2015 acquisitions
Brightside is poised to make multiple acquisitions next year from a £350m fund, according to a well-placed market source.
Towergate bondholders appoint advisers Moelis & Co
Moelis & Co has been appointed as an adviser by Towergate's secured bondholders in advance of talks with the consolidator about its £1bn debt, according to reports.
Towergate Underwriting CEO responds to concerns on broker ties
Towergate Underwriting CEO Clive Nathan has admitted concerns that he could lose further brokers in the wake of Arthur J Gallagher deciding to cut ties with the embattled business.
Rates down 2.8% in Q3 as buyers increasingly access global capacity
Global insurance rates fell by 2.8% in the third quarter of 2014, compared with the same period in the previous year, according to Marsh's global insurance index.
AIG re-hires CNA regions boss Somers to help boost non-London GWP
AIG is pushing ahead with plans to bolster its regional presence across the UK with the appointment of CNA Insurance’s head of UK regions Phil Somers.
Austbrokers becomes largest broker network in New Zealand
Austbrokers has bought broker network BrokerWeb Management in New Zealand.
Gallagher branded ‘cynical’ and ‘opportunistic’ over Towergate axe
Arthur J Gallagher has been accused of being “cynical” and “opportunistic” in its move to limit business being placed with Towergate Underwriting, citing concern over the health of the business.
Brokerbility expands Scottish footprint as Spence Insurance joins
Spence Insurance Services has become the latest Scottish firm to join independent broker network Brokerbility.
Hastings sees year-to-date profit jump 31%
Hastings has reported a 31% boost in adjusted group profit before tax to £51.8m for the nine months ended 30 September 2014.
Ecclesiastical recruits Towergate Lancaster boss to helm Northern operations
Ecclesiastical has named Towergate Lancaster and Alker Insurance managing director Francis Carroll as its new regional director for the North.
Thistle raids Towergate for string of hires
Thistle Insurance Services has recruited Towergate Direct interim CEO Amanda Walton as its retail managing director alongside a string of management changes at the business.
Axa launches 14 guides to boost claims transparency
Axa Commercial Lines and Personal Intermediary has launched its claims transparency initiative, called Making Claims Clear.
Seventeen inks Clydesdale debt refinancing deal
Seventeen Group has agreed a deal to refinance its debts with Clydesdale Bank, allowing the firm to target new acquisitions.
Fairchild says Broker Network 'not complacent' about competitors' tactics
Towergate-owned Broker Network has sent a firm message to its competitors saying it is aware they will be looking to incentivise its members with short-term offers.
JLT gains approval for Indian joint venture
Jardine Lloyd Thompson is set to launch its operations in India following this summer's acquisition of a 26% stake in Sunidhi group's Independent Insurance Brokers.
Biba launches sharing economy guide
Aon, Higos, Bluefin and Towergate are among the brokers that have signalled they can place risks for businesses operating within the sharing economy, according to the British Insurance Brokers' Association.
Editor's comment: Towergate's last chapter?
Last week would have been a very good time to hide bad news in the insurance industry, as all anyone wanted to talk about was the future of Towergate.
Redburn appointment hints at piecemeal Towergate sale
Executive chairman claimed group would be sold as a whole
Marsh boss Weil plotting contract efficacy drive
Marsh is to unveil a new drive to improve the effectiveness of commercial insurance contracts from next week.
Marsh unveils Pool Re alternative terrorism facility
Marsh has unveiled a new UK terrorism facility to provide cover to clients with commercial property assets in the UK.
Chase-Gardener leaves Brightside
Brightside co-founder Paul Chase-Gardener has retired from his role as commercial director at the broker.
Market Moves - 27 November 2014
All the latest job moves in the insurance market.
Expertise in Action Video: Ian McManus & Steve White on training, succession planning and channel differentiation
Given the competitive insurance landscape it is important brokers do not only invest in their employees to maintain a skilled upwardly mobile workforce, but also articulate their value to customers.
Spotlight: Future of broking: Looking to the future
With the current generation of customers failing to actively seek out brokers for insurance, how can the sector make waves in the competitive personal lines market?