Broker
SMEs: A web of complexity
UK companies are quick to take advantage of technological advances to create new business opportunities, and the industry must get up to speed with the many and varied risks this brings.
SMEs: Home advantage
The Olympic experience showed that flexible working is a viable option for many, but companies need to weigh up the risks as well as the benefits.
View from the top: Opportunity continues to knock
Towergate is celebrating its 15th anniversary this month, leading Mark Hodges to think about how much the industry has changed in the firm's corporate lifetime.
View from the top: The global solution
Insurers, brokers and clients must work together to meet the compliance demands of a global market, says Barbara Chandler.
AJG deepens public sector play with Acumus buy
AJ Gallagher International has grown its UK public sector business to more than £150m gross written premium with the acquisition of Chelmsford-based housing specialist Acumus.
Bluefin ponders acquisitions after publishing positive 2011 results
Bluefin has "plenty of cash washing around" should it decide to make an acquisition, according to chief executive Stuart Reid.
Insurance Strategy 2012: Brand is key to customer connection
The management of a core brand and ideology is a vital part of maintaining ties with customers, according to Chubb UK & Ireland commercial insurance manager Andy Francis.
ULR Additions CEO Kay upbeat following 2011 turnaround
ULR Additions chief executive Rob Kay has credited a thorough business restructure for a 2011 turnaround which saw the legal expenses provider chalk up a pre-tax profit of £2.7m, an improvement of £6.1m on the previous year.
Insurance Strategy 2012: Telematics is about the customer, not the insurer
Telematics needs to be about the customer rather than the insurer, according to Ian Hughes, Consumer Intelligence chief executive.
Stackhouse to buy commercial broker
Insurance broker Stackhouse Poland has reached an agreement to acquire the business of LFC Insurance Brokers.
Motor insurance: Driving down cover costs
With two major indices reporting a fall in the cost of motor insurance, there are signs that the sector’s fortunes are improving. Can insurers afford to be optimistic, or should they proceed with caution?
Guy Carpenter opens Athens office
Guy Carpenter & Company has opened a reinsurance intermediary office in Athens, the broker said today.
Post magazine - 27 September 2012
The latest issue of Post is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Groupama sale to Ageas unlikely to improve either group's rating prospects
The acquisition of Groupama Insurances by Ageas UK should "end uncertainty" among brokers over Groupama's financial strength and creditworthiness in the UK, but will have little impact on the 'negative' rating outlooks of either parent company, analysts…
Carole Nash and Lumley Jacobs extend partnership to Ireland
Carole Nash and Lumley Jacobs will launch forensic coding systems in Ireland this October.
Guy Carpenter opens Greek office
Guy Carpenter & Company has opened a reinsurance intermediary office in Athens.
Court of Appeal delays judgment on retrospective 10% uplift debate
The Court of Appeal has decided to delay judgment on an industry appeal against a decision to effectively bring forward a rise in damages by 10% from April next year.
Purple Partnership in tie up with LV
Independent broker network Purple Partnership has announced a deal with LV, which will now serve as a commercial key partner.
Fitch cuts Axa IFS outlook from stable to negative
Concerns about Axa's ability to improve profitability were cited for the move by Fitch Ratings to revise the outlook of the firm’s Insurer Financial Strength rating from stable to negative.
Bluefin delivers £11.5m dividend to Axa
Bluefin has paid its parent company an £11.5m dividend for the 2011 financial year on Ebitda of £17.8m (2010: £15.2m) and pre-tax profit of £11.6m (2010: £10m).
RKHIS opens Sevenoaks office
RK Harrison Insurance Services has opened a new regional office in Kent that will specialise in private client and rural business.
Hastings raids RSA and Ace for fresh managerial talent
Hastings Insurance Services has completed the double swoop for former head of affinity operations at RSA Paul Whymark, pictured, and ex-Ace continental Europe claims director Jonathan Sutcliffe.
Towergate eyes e-trading push with hire of ex-NIG manager
Towergate Underwriting has appointed former NIG e-commerce boss Dean Fletcher as commercial e-strategy and products manager.
Gallagher expands public sector offering with Acumus acquisition
Arthur J Gallagher International has acquired housing association specialist intermediary Acumus for an undisclosed sum.