Broker
AA finds home insurance premiums rising steadily
Home insurance premiums continued a steady upward trend towards the end of 2011, with the average quote for annual buildings, contents and for combined policies rising by 11% over the course of last year.
Dual Ireland appoints Marsh commercial broker
Specialist underwriting agency Dual Ireland has expanded its Dublin-based team with the appointment of Martha Gorman as development underwriter for financial lines.
Motor premiums increase again
According to the AA’s benchmark British Insurance Premium Index the shoparound price for comprehensive motor insurance is now £971.40, a 5.4% increase, from £921.38, over the three months ending 31 December. The annual increase is 15.3%, from £842.69.
APC adds Liberty Mutual to capacity providers
Commercial underwriting agency APC has secured additional capacity from Liberty Mutual Insurance.
My best 11- Phil Bayles, Aviva
Aviva’s Phil Bayles selects his best XI for an insurance start-up. The director of brokers and key partners opts for a team made up almost entirely of broking stars, aided by Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier as a supporting forward.
Penny Black’s insurance week
Penny was delighted to visit the London Boat Show with Zurich on Thursday.
Career development: Bluefin recruits in Glasgow
Broker Bluefin has opened a new office in Atlantic Quay, Glasgow, creating nine new jobs.
Career development: Aspen gains chartered status
Aspen Risk Management has been granted chartered status.
Editor's comment: Tempting fate on features
Commissioning editorial copy can be a bit like tempting fate. This week’s broker-focused feature on mergers and acquisitions reflected back over 2011 as its starting point, when first conceived a couple of months ago, with a writer assigned to analyse…
News analysis: Groupama UK up for sale — but who will buy the group?
Will Groupama be sold lock, stock and barrel or broken into an insurer and its broker parts?
Hyperion courts Windsor as it takes firm steps towards flotation
The proposed acquisition of Lloyd’s broker Windsor by international broking and underwriting group Hyperion could lead to additional takeover deals in 2012, and would bolster the latter’s chances of initial public offering success, following confirmation…
Aon London HQ move will bolster City’s position
Aon’s decision to move its corporate headquarters from Chicago to London could bolster the City’s position as a major insurance capital.
Market moves: Insurers and consultants up the pace
As the insurance sector settles into 2012 its activity in the recruitment space has gathered momentum. Insurers had a busy week, with Markel, Mitsui Sumitomo and Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance bringing in fresh faces. Brokers, meanwhile, had another…
View from the top: Getting power to the people
The insurance industry is in a unique position to generate opportunity from challenge, says Hamish Roberts.
Broking - Mergers & acquisitions: Do not disturb
2011 was a relatively sleepy year for merger & acquisition activity in the broker sector. Could 2012 be a wake-up call or will the market stay snoozing?
Employment: Hiring and firing
There are two sides to the recruitment story in the insurance industry — while some are reducing their headcount, others are looking to bring in fresh faces.
Post magazine – 19 January 2012
The latest issue of Post magazine is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Axa report reveals mixed emotions for 2012 among SMEs
SME bosses across the UK are approaching 2012 with mixed outlooks concerning turnover, profitability and recruitment plans, according to a report published by Axa Commercial Lines.
Hannover Re could face €10m Costa Concordia claim
Hannover Re expects a damage claim of at least €10m from the Costa Concordia wreck, according to reports.
Markerstudy on good terms with Endsleigh despite settlement
Markerstudy continues to have an “amicable and professional relationship” with Endsleigh following a multi-million pound out of court settlement between the two firms, according to Markerstudy underwriting director Gary Humphreys.
Prime grows Leeds office
Prime Professions, has appointed Michael Eardley, a new associate director in the Leeds office.
Towergate hires ex-Paymentshield director
Towergate Insurance has appointed Neil Galjaard to the role of group change director.
Oval underwriting chief joins fellow ex-employees at BLG
Independent broker Building Land Guarantees has appointed former Oval latent defects underwriting boss Jon Cox as associate director.
Hyperion boss eyes market opportunities following year of growth
Hyperion is in prime position to target acquisitions and consider a stock market flotation after announcing organic growth of 18% last year.