Broker
Roundtable: Customer retention: Holding on to customers in the aggregator age
With price comparison sites making customers more price-focused than ever, how can insurers ensure they stand out for other reasons and also improve their retention rates?
Review of the Year: Legal
Grabbing the headlines in the legal sector this year were M&A activity, closer ties between insurers and law firms and the ongoing fallout of civil justice reforms. Key figures from the sector give their views on 2014
Career development: Covéa commercial claims team wins customer service accreditation
Covéa has obtained the Institute of Customer Service’s Service Mark accreditation for commercial claims.
Market Moves - 4 December 2014
All the latest job moves in the insurance market.
Biba moots several changes to Insurance Bill
The British Insurance Brokers' Association has recommended a number of amendments in its written evidence to the Insurance Bill including around the disclosure of confidential information.
Uinsure hires Berkeley Alexander director Hutchings
Manchester-based general insurance provider Uinsure has followed up on the recruitment of five former Paymentshield employees by appointing Mark Hutchings from Berkeley Alexander as national account manager.
Hastings hires from Allstate for underwriting management role
Broker Hastings Direct has hired Ed Biemer from US giant Allstate in a new role as managing director, underwriting services.
Towergate bondholders declare support
A group of Towergate’s creditors have declared their support for the embattled business as it seeks to resolve its future.
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.