Ardonagh Group
Oval and Giles management changes sign of wider consolidator shake-up
The change at the top at Oval has been a "long time coming", it was claimed this week, during a 24-hour period that saw another shake-up at rival consolidator Giles result in managing director Sarah Lyons being placed "on leave" amid "contractual issues".
Market moves: UK General and Towergate lead the pack
Insurer UK General and broker Towergate were the main movers and shakers this week, appointing a new chief operating officer and director of group mergers and acquisitions respectively.
Arista expands with two Birmingham hires
Arista Insurance has appointed Paul Smith as senior fleet underwriter and Amanda Jones as fleet underwriter to its Birmingham office.
Towergate boosts merger management with Saulter appointment
Towergate Insurance has upped the ante on takeovers by bringing in Towergate Financial chief executive Dan Saulter, pictured, as group mergers and acquisitions director.
Broker Network directors 'not stepping down' despite Companies House listing
The Broker Network has dismissed concerns that five directors will be leaving the organisation after Companies House listings stated that a number of senior figures have had their 'appointments terminated'.
Towergate makes two acquisitions
Towergate Insurance has acquired Centenary Insurance and William Rogers Insurance Brokers.
Interview: Opportunity knocks for Capita's Brent Escott
Having set up, run and sold insurance businesses, Brent Escott is now embarking on a new challenge at the outsourcing giant.
Market moves: MGAs making the moves
This week the recruitment space belonged to managing general agents.
Brokers issue retention rate warning over commercial insurance aggregation
Insurance firms looking to help aggregators target commercial insurance expansion in 2012 have been warned to check poor retention rates and increased fraud risks before over-committing themselves.
Editor's comment: Speculation turns into action
The chatter around ‘Tesco Law’, alternative business structures and law firm consolidation appears to be getting louder each week as another eye-opening deal is unveiled to the media.
Hodges reunites with former Aviva colleague Egan as Patrick quits Towergate
Towergate Insurance has appointed Scott Egan as group finance director.
Broker Network and Countywide name five new managers in sales push
Broker Network and Countrywide have announced a sales division recruitment drive following the appointments of five new sales managers.
Williams in Towergate u-turn as firm appoints two underwriting managers
Towergate bosses have welcomed back Alyson Williams who returns to her former position of household development director, just four months after departing for the Gallagher Group.
Towergate continues to streamline insurer panels with Allianz and Brit deal
Allianz Insurance is poised to reap more than £40m of SME business in the next three years after regaining the lead position on the Towergate Commercial Underwriting panel.
Editor's comment: Slim pickings at Groupama
It didn’t take long for some insurers to begin sharpening their knives and forks, and start planning how they can prey on the perceived wounded animal that is Groupama UK.
My best 11 - Simon Burley, Delta Claims Services and CILA
Simon Burley, president of the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters and director at Delta Claims Services, selects his best XI for an insurance start-up.
View from the top: Expect the unexpected
The industry must continue to adapt and evolve to meet constant changes to the market, says Mark Hodges.
Towergate 'financially rock solid' despite IDR downgrade warning
Towergate chief financial officer Ian Patrick has described his firm as being “comfortably within the expected range” after Fitch Ratings reaffirmed the broker’s issuer default rating at ‘B’, but changed the outlook from stable to negative.
Towergate explains Allianz deal
Towergate’s CEO of commercial underwriting has explained to Post why RSA, Aviva, Ageas and NIG who were previously on the panel, have been dropped.
JLT Specialty plans three further regional offices in 2012
Bosses at JLT Specialty have vowed to open at least three more regional offices this year, in a bid to strengthen relationships with corporate clients across the UK.
Market moves: The busy world of broking
As January draws to a close, the past week has been a busy time in the world of insurance broking. Aon Benfield, Willis and Marsh all welcomed new chief executives, while Towergate, UIB and Prime Professions also made moves for new staff. However, it was…
Towergate secures five-year Allianz deal
Allianz will continue to lead Towergate commercial underwriting’s insurer consortium for the next five years, increasing their share from 40% to 70%.
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.
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?