Broker
Lancashire appoints new head of energy and marine
Lancashire Holdings has appointed James Flude as head of energy & marine for its UK operation.
Regulator FCA faces call for "pay to play" to be investigated
Regulator faces calls for ‘pay to play’ to be investigated.
Solicitors offered unrated insurer carriers despite solvency concerns
Déja vu as Balva-like unrated carriers on brink of taking market.
Editor's comment: The spectre of Spitzer returns
In 2004, the US insurance broking industry came under attack as then New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer declared war — with allegations of kickbacks, rigged bids for insurance contracts and opaque practices, including contingent commissions.
Swinton apologises over complicated add-ons
Swinton has apologised for selling add-on products that customers might have struggle to understand and is offering them a refund.
Biba bolstered by 2012 subs growth
The British Insurance Brokers Association has reported boosted turnover for the year ending 31 December 2012, with subscriptions climbing almost £200 000.
Ask the Expert: Talent must be nurtured to keep it
Almost three-quarters of insurance professionals are happy with the progress of their careers, making them the most contented employees of any sector in the UK when it comes to professional progression. The UK average is just 38%.
Career file - Damien Coates: Coates swaps roles with Dual deputy chief executive Doyle
Damien Coates is to step down as chief executive of Hyperion Insurance's underwriting arm Dual, after agreeing to swap roles with the firm's deputy CEO Shane Doyle.
Market Moves: High-profile moves come to the fore at Bluefin and Covéa, while Markel hires two
Another hectic week saw the usual suspects come to the fore with high-profile moves at Bluefin seeing the broker’s CEO stepping up to the role of executive chairman, while at Covéa a new SME leader will be reunited with a former Brit colleague who joined…
Employment: Port in a storm?
Does the insurance sector’s resilience in a difficult economic climate make it a safe haven for employees, or are industry staff in as much peril as the rest of the UK workforce?
Cosmos Services acquires 15% stake in SART
Hong Kong-based broker Cosmos Services has acquired a 15% stake in SART Holdings, the Hong Kong based business of Aquila Underwriting.
View from the Top: The punchline? ABS is no joke
An insurance salesman and a lawyer walk into a bar – it certainly sounds like the beginning of a joke, but the new alternative business solution world is no laughing matter. What it is, in our view, is a major opportunity.
View from the Top: Regulators need our help
By working together we can sort out insurers’ tarnished image and cut the bureaucracy, says Robert Hiscox, honorary president, Hiscox
Affinity news: Axa director warns against using ‘herd mentality’ to avoid FCA action
Goss points at PPI scandal as example of mass impropriety.
Affinity news: Rich customer data can be used to benefit products
The differences in customer service and customer loyalty between those who come via price comparison sites and those that come direct were highlighted in a presentation by Arthur J Gallagher managing director of partnerships Alan Sanderson.
British Insurance Awards 2013: Introduction - Moment of truth
It may be a well-worn cliché that insurance exists for that moment of truth, when an individual or business is faced with an unforeseen incident; but given recent events it is one that has never been truer.
CCV completes three regional acquisitions
Callum Capital Ventures has acquired Underwood Insurance Services; Dale Insurance Services and Brighton Insurance (Brokers) Group, bringing the total number made by its parent firm Towergate, to 11 since the start of 2013.
Premier Choice CEO Izzard passes away
Mike Izzard, chief executive of healthcare intermediary Premier Choice Group and former president of the Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries, has died.
Broker network INSIA opens first of 50 offices in Romania
INSIA, one of the largest insurance broker network of Central and Eastern Europe, has opened its first Romanian-based subsidiary, in Bucharest.
London market veteran named political risks manager at Antares
Lloyd’s insurer Antares has appointed David Wright as political risks manager of its political and financial risks specialty lines portfolio.
Antares hires ex-AIG CEO Sullivan as non-executive chairman
Antares Managing Agency has appointed Martin Sullivan as non-executive chairman.
Losses from European floods could hit £3bn, says Swiss Re
Industry-wide insured losses on recent flooding in central and eastern Europe is expected to hit between $3.5bn (£2.4bn) and $4.5bn (£3bn), according to estimates by Swiss Re.
British Insurance Awards 2013: Insurance Personality of the Year Award
If the shoe fits…
British Insurance Awards 2013: The E-Business Award
OIM means e-business