Commercial
AI tops global risk index for insurance
The insurance sector is facing a seismic shift, as artificial intelligence emerges as the top-ranked risk for the year ahead, displacing all other major concerns.
Diary of an Insurer: Zurich’s Jacqui Kelly
Jacqui Kelly, head of sales and distribution at Zurich, kicks off her working week with a brisk beach walk with her Newfoundland Poodle, explores ways to work with brokers to drive growth and is informed by her children she is too old to be cool.
Allianz Partners’ Moon on women who made her reach for the stars
Patricia Moon, CEO of Allianz Partners UK and Ireland, on inspiring the next generation of female leaders, being viewed as aggressive rather than assertive, and creating job adverts that encourage women to apply for jobs.
Aviva creates dedicated commercial combined underwriting team
Aviva has put together 16 of its most experienced underwriters in a dedicated commercial combined underwriting team as it looks to give brokers the confidence to place larger, more complex risks online.
Q&A: Caroline Dunn, Zurich
Ahead of International Women’s Day, Caroline Dunn, chief underwriting officer at Zurich explains how important addressing social mobility is to accelerate action on female inclusivity and gender parity in insurance.
Axa’s Foley on leading by example to achieve equality
Tara Foley, CEO of Axa UK & Ireland, outlines why leading by example is essential to achieving equality in the workplace, and that while great strides have been made, there are areas – including data and technology – where there is still significant work…
Carbon Underwriting’s Ferrier wants less conversation and more action
Jacqui Ferrier, founding partner and chief underwriting officer at Carbon Underwriting, observes while conversations around inclusivity have gained momentum, the real focus must be on accelerating progress and not just talking about it.
Throwback Thursday: CU & GA’s vow; Beazley’s hoax cover
Insurance Post’s Throwback Thursday steps back in time to March 1998 to remind you what was going on this week in insurance history when Commercial Union and General Accident were making promises, and bomb threat cover was created.
When will insurance get more female leaders?
Analysis: Damisola Sulaiman highlights the barriers preventing women in insurance from attaining senior-level positions today, and questions whether the move away from diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives in the US could hamper efforts to gain…
Beazley CEO says ‘it’s getting more difficult to grow’
Beazley has reported record pre-tax profits of $1.42bn (£1.12bn) for 2024, but is forecasting a slowdown in growth this year as market conditions turn.
QBE’s Fresneau tackles the underwritten bias
The sector’s gender imbalance doesn’t need women to push harder, it requires a mindset shift and structural change for all, says Cécile Fresneau, managing director of QBE Europe’s insurance division.
Cunliffe appointment continues Axa reunion at Markel
Nicola Cunliffe, formerly head of insurance operations at Flock and head of SME trading operations at Axa, has joined Markel as head of trading in the UK.
Broker banned for fraud that led to client’s collapse
The Financial Conduct Authority has banned David Robert Cooke, the former director of Weston-super-Mare broker Professional Construction Risks Limited, from working in financial services.
Pool Re reduces taxpayers’ exposure to UK terrorism risk
Pool Re has completed the placement of a new retrocession programme, shifting more of the financial risk arising from acts of terrorism away from taxpayers and back to the private market.
Howden hit with £20m negligence lawsuit
A luxury hotel group has lodged a professional negligence lawsuit against Howden, alleging oversights by the broker meant it found itself unable to claim for Covid-related business interruption losses in 2020.
Diary of an Insurer: AmTrust’s Hannah Connolly
Hannah Connolly, property underwriting manager at AmTrust International, catches up with coverholders, swims to counteract cake consumption, and Friday is her busiest day for video calls.
Allianz UK to drop LV brand in 2026
Allianz UK’s CEO Colm Holmes has confirmed to Insurance Post that the LV brand is to be dropped in 2026.
Aviva’s Storah predicts volatility in commercial pricing this year
Speaking after Aviva announced its full year results, UK and Ireland general insurance CEO Jason Storah said rates are “lumpy”.
Aviva’s Morris calls for an end to building in flood zones
When it comes to helping households, communities, and businesses cope with the threat of climate change in the next decade, Owen Morris, managing director of personal lines at Aviva, said the UK must stop building in flood zones.
Hiscox hits 2024 UK growth target
The growth of Hiscox’s UK retail business gathered momentum over the course of 2024, finishing the year just within the insurer’s 5% to 15% target range, according to its results announcement.
How to build an insurer that’s ready for 2030
View from the Top: Carys Lawton-Bryce, chief operations officer at Markel International, explores how insurers can navigate an evolving landscape shaped by shifting market cycles, AI-driven transformation and the growing imperative of resilience.
M&A trends in the UK insurance sector
After 2024 ended with the mega merger of Aviva and Direct Line being lined up, Insurance Post’s latest podcast examines whether more takeovers are on the cards for the UK industry in 2025.
Settlement reached in Covid event cancellation dispute
A $90m (£71.2m) reinsurance dispute involving several Lloyd’s syndicates over losses incurred by Covid-enforced event cancellations in the US and UK during 2020 and 2021 has been settled.
QBE achieves almost 20% uptick in UK revenue
QBE saw the revenue it received for insuring UK risks increase by 19.6% in 2024, according to the group’s annual report.