Commercial
PIB’s Q Underwriting launches
The launch of PIB’s Q Underwriting sees Aqmen, Thistle and TFP Schemes united under the same umbrella.
HDI Global appoints Claire McDonald as UK MD
HDI Global has appointed Claire McDonald as managing director of its UK and Ireland operations.
Mapfre looks to strengthen links to 'big five' brokers
Mapfre has appointed Chris Smith to the newly-created position of chief global brokers officer.
Analysis: Insuring unoccupied property
The issue of unoccupied property is a political hot potato in a climate of Brexit and increased online retail. How are insurers tackling this high risk area?
This week: What does the fox say?
Brightside’s new managing general agent Kitsune takes its name from the Japanese word for fox. The animal is much admired in Japanese folklore for its intelligence and supernatural abilities – characteristics all the insurance companies that announced…
Blog: Model behaviour for insurance risk prediction - destroying the myth of the magic funnel
In a highly competitive market, it is important that insurers maximise their data models to create more intelligible insights. Only then, argues Alan O’Loughlin of Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions, will they gain a strategic advantage over competitors
Hiscox stages 'cyber attack' on bike shop
Hiscox recently joined forces with Brompton Bicycle to stage a brick-and-mortar simulation of common hacking practices such as phishing and ransomware to demonstrate the risk of cyber attacks to small businesses.
Hyperion to take measured approach to acquisitive growth
Hyperion will look to build on its retail business this year, but CEO David Howden said the firm will never chase premium through acquisitions.
Brightside MGA Kitsune targets £37m GWP in first 18 months
Exclusive: Brightside's newly-launched managing general agent, Kitsune Associates, is aiming to reach in £20 to 25m in gross written premium in its first year of trading, with plans to potentially reach £37m within 18 months.
Gallagher UK to focus on integration of Stackhouse Poland this year
Gallagher UK will be "thoughtful" about the pace at which it buys other businesses this year, as it focuses on the integration of Stackhouse Poland into the wider group.
Marsh soon to launch $5bn senior notes offering to fund JLT acquisition
Marsh parent Marsh & McLennan has revealed the pricing structure of a $5bn senior notes offering, prior to the completion of its acquisition of JLT.
Zego in debt deal with venture capitalist Triplepoint
Exclusive: Pay as you go insurtech Zego has inked a deal with venture capitalist Triplepoint that will see it take on debt to fund further expansion.
Analysis: Will BA data breach open floodgates for future data group actions?
The British Airways data breach is the first major case since the General Data Protection Regulation became law. With the firm facing group legal action and the Information Commissioner’s Office testing its teeth for the first time, what might this mean…
Pool Re to hand back terrorism contingency cover to commercial market
State-backed terrorism insurer Pool Re will no longer offer contingency cover, as the commercial market believes it has the capacity to take back control.
Granite Underwriting gets private equity backing for growth plans
Inflexion Private Equity has made a minority investment in speciality motor insurer, Granite Underwriting.
Kingsbridge acquires gig economy insurtech Dinghy
Kingsbridge Group has acquired of insurtech company Dinghy, which provides on-demand professional indemnity cover to freelancers and ‘gig’ economy workers.
42% of insurers and brokers have made or are considering Brexit moves
Nearly half of insurance brokers and insurers are considering moving or have confirmed that they are moving some of their operations and staff as a result of Brexit.
Gallagher to buy Stackhouse Poland
Gallagher will buy acquisitive regional broker Stackhouse Poland.
Gable disputes £8.8m worth of claims in bankruptcy hearing
Failed unrated insurer Gable has disputed 100 claims totaling CHF 10.9m (£8.8m) in its first bankruptcy court hearing.
Besso faces near $10m lawsuit over ‘secret profits’ extracted by rogue former director
Exclusive: Besso is facing an almost $10m lawsuit from a group of hotel companies in the Caribbean, after an ex-director was alleged to have concealed brokerage.
Analysis: How insurers are preventing the Brexit brain drain
Insurers are coming up with ways to get round obstacles to doing business in Europe after Brexit
Roundtable: Building out from the back office
The hype over new technologies might have the industry excited. But there remains a question of whether these firms’ back offices are fit for purpose to enable them to maximise these customer facing investments. Against this backdrop, Post, in…
Ardonagh completes Swinton acquisition and MGA sale
The Ardonagh Group has completed the purchase of broker Swinton, while the sale of its commercial underwriting business to Arch has also been finalised.
Analysis: Is the industry prepared if the UK is hit with Brexit riots this year?
Legislation introduced in the wake of 2011 riots aims to simplify claims handling