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For the Record: The week in deals featuring Allianz, Clyde & Co, Convex, Gallagher, Howden, Kennedys, LV, New Dawn Risk and Woodgate & Clark
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
Briefing: Trust in travel insurance has fallen, could ‘Covid cancellation’ cover mean another hit this year?
With trust in travel insurance falling, Post news editor Jen Frost considers the impact of so-called Covid cancellation cover in 2021.
Briefing: Seven insurtechs to watch in 2021
For a sixth year running, Post content director Jonathan Swift scans the insurtech space and identifies up-and-coming businesses potentially worth watching over the next 12 months.
Bollington buy a ‘super fit’, says Gallagher boss Michael Rea
Michael Rea, CEO of Gallagher’s UK retail division, has hailed the takeover of Bollington as supercharging the firm’s presence in the North West and adding specialisms to the group.
Loss making SSP reveals financial struggles ahead of sale
SSP made an after tax loss of £115m in the 18 months to 30 September 2019 and breached its banking covenants in March 2020, the business has revealed ahead of its takeover by Canadian firm Constellation Software.
QBE’s Jon Dye on managing emerging risks in 2021
From trade tariffs on parts and whiplash reform, through to fraud, automatic lane keeping technology and connected vehicles, there is plenty for insurers to keep an eye on this year, says Jon Dye, director of motor at QBE.
Briefing: Has the MOJ bitten off more than it can chew with whiplash reforms?
Perhaps the only surprise about today’s delay to part one of the Civil Liability Act (2018) whiplash reforms is that they are only being put back one month.
SSP users hopeful of investment as takeover nears completion
Users have expressed hope that SSP’s expected takeover by Canadian-listed Constellation Software will lead to investment in the technology company as it exits private equity ownership.
Whiplash reforms pushed back to May
Whiplash reforms have been pushed back to May, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Robert Buckland confirmed today.
Intelligence: Gaming the new frontier
The insurance needs of the gaming sector are complicated and ever evolving but there are plenty of opportunities for those prepared to immerse themselves in this flourishing market.
Storm Bella claims volume ‘significant’ say loss adjusters
Late 2020’s storm Bella has driven a “significant” number of claims, loss adjusters told Post, though damage was not witnessed on the scale of storms Ciara and Dennis.
For the record: The week in deals featuring Aston Lark, GRP, PIB, Marsh, MS Amlin, Nexus, Partners& and Sedgwick
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week
Iprism swings back to profit in 2020
Iprism Underwriting Agency has returned to profit in 2020 with a bottom line result of £435,365 reversing its £761,988 loss the year before when it was hit by restructuring costs.
Lockdown: Many insurer and broker offices to remain open as Lloyd's underwriting room closes
Insurers and brokers have told Post that the majority of their staff will continue to work from home and that offices will remain open to those few that need to access them, following the start of a third national lockdown in England.
Editor's comment: Talking about reputation
To start 2021 we asked the major players in broking, claims and insurance to predict what the biggest event of the new year would be and what trends the first year in the next decade would bring.
Clear makes Mike Edgeley CEO as Lickens moves to chairman role
The Clear Group has appointed former A-Plan managing director Mike Edgeley as CEO with founder Howard Lickens moving to become executive chairman.
Loss-making Markerstudy sniffing out investors as loan discussions continue post-deadline
Managing general agent Markerstudy made a loss in 2019, with discussions ongoing around its near £200m debt to Qatar Re.
Thingco secures £3m investment from BGL owner
Telematics insurtech Thingco has secured a £3m investment from BGL Group holding company owner BHL (UK) Holdings, Post can reveal.
Adam Boakes hails opportunities as first joint Ataraxia-MVP broker deal completes
Ataraxia and Minority Venture Partners have facilitated the merger of Altrincham-based Alan Stevenson Partnership and Seacombe Insurance Brokers taking a minority stake in the business.
Cheryl Agius steps down as Saga Insurance boss
Cheryl Agius has stepped down as CEO of Saga Insurance with immediate effect for personal reasons, the company has confirmed.
BGL’s Peter Thompson on how the learnings of 2020 can make this the year of opportunities
The challenges of the coronavirus pandemic led to substantial technological advances that insurance must build on this year, says Peter Thompson, CEO of insurance, distribution and outsourcing at BGL Group.
Modest hardening in UK property reinsurance as European motor ticks up
The annual 1 January reinsurance renewal season delivered firmer pricing for UK property risks, according to Willis Re as its figures also indicated another year of strong rises in motor.
Blog: Coronavirus has transformed insurance - three trends that will stick
What is true for the entertainment industry is also true for insurance: one-third of Brits want to take out insurance completely digitally because of the Covid-19 outbreak, writes Christian Wiens, Getsafe founder and CEO.
Admiral to pocket £450m for comparison subsidiary despite claiming it had 'no plans' to sell Penguin Portals
Admiral Group has reached an agreement with the owner of Uswitch and Zoopla for the sale of price comparison subsidiary Penguin Portals Group for over £500m.