Personal
Hiscox’s Andrew Mitchell on making an exhibition again at long last
The fine art market is in resurgence after a bleak 18 months and the bumper calendar of blockbuster shows will enable Lloyd’s to show its unique value, says Hiscox UK line underwriter for art and private clients Andrew Mitchell.
Analysis: The claims sector in a post-reform world
The launch of the whiplash portal has made it more difficult for firms to make money handling small claims, leading to firms reassessing their models. Post investigates what the sector will look like in a post reform world.
Admiral, Covea and Hastings back Drive Score launch; Abacai teams up with Ticker; Bollington to rebrand under Gallagher; Aviva extends Founders Factory tie-up; and Cover Genius seals Series C raise
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches and investments of the week.
BGL’s Mark Townsend on why the biggest industry change will lead to new opportunities
Mark Townsend, managing director of motor and home at BGL Insurance, details how pricing regulation changes give the industry an exciting chance to prove it is customer centric, earn trust, and alter perceptions once and for all.
Minster Law strikes deal for Irwin Mitchell's fast-track PI business
Minster Law has reached an agreement to take over Irwin Mitchell’s fast-track personal injury business with intentions to “lead consolidation in the market”.
Donaldson steps up to Ardonagh Retail CEO and Rawlinson promoted to lead Atlanta
Ardonagh has promoted Ian Donaldson to the position of CEO for Ardonagh Retail with Emma Rawlinson replacing him as Atlanta Group CEO, Post can reveal.
Blog: An insurance fraud reset is needed
The way that the industry approaches fraud needs to continue to evolve, argues Handl Group chief commercial officer Chris Chatterton.
Trade bodies collaborate on product governance amid concerns of sluggish progress
Insurance industry trade bodies are working to agree templates for information sharing between firms to enable them to more easily come into line with the Financial Conduct Authority’s enhanced product governance rules.
Analysis: Commission in the crosshairs as FCA warns on product governance rules
The shift in the regulatory landscape could lead to “massive upheaval” experts have warned as brokers have been urged to engage with the process amid fears that the scope of fair value changes has not been understood.
Avid’s Stephen Gibson on the four criteria that will define a successful MGA
After a challenging few years the managing general agents sector has looked at itself in the mirror and, buoyed by the hardening market, is in good position to grow following the pandemic, says Stephen Gibson, CEO of Avid Insurance Services.
Obituary: Insurance veteran Sandy Dunn passes away
Many were shocked and saddened this week to learn that Sandy Dunn, a well known and respected figure in the industry, had passed away suddenly, after a brief illness.
Blog: Improving customer retention in insurance
Ello managing director Michael Kalli considers recent research that suggests fewer than one in 10 consumers feel like they are a valued customer to their insurer.
JMG Group approaches £100m milestone after Butterworth Spengler’s Brunsdon buy
JMG Group has reached £90m of gross written premium with 200 staff in 10 offices, CEO Nick Houghton told Post as it funded Butterworth Spengler to make its first acquisition since joining the group.
Howden reveals football's Covid losses; Convex opens new European subsidiary; Volante gets new syndicate approval from Lloyd’s; and Zurich supplants Axa as MGA's £105m capacity
For the record: Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
Blog: We are not responding fast enough to the climate change challenge
Climate change still remains the biggest challenge facing society, and we aren’t responding fast enough, writes Guido Fürer, group chief investment officer and member of the group executive committee, Swiss Re.
Ageas Retail posts falling revenue but rising profit for 2020
Ageas Retail, which includes the Ageas Direct and Rias brands, has reported an 11% drop in revenue to £76m in 2020 with volumes being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Blog: Strength in numbers - the power of three
The global pandemic has altered the risk landscape, pressing the need for a rethink of the tripartite relationship between insurer, broker and customer to ensure businesses’ evolving needs are met, says Sam Franks, Beazley UK regional development manager…
Graham Wright heads to Saga from WTW in pricing director role
Graham Wright has been named Saga Insurance pricing director, joining from Willis Towers Watson.
Interview: Jimmy Williams, Urban Jungle
Jimmy Williams, co-founder and CEO of Urban Jungle, spoke to Post about how his own experience with home insurance inspired him to address issues the industry is facing, ambitions to branch outside of property and how views of insurtechs are changing.
Zurich’s Paul Dixon on a greener claims process
With the world facing an urgent climate crisis, consumers are increasingly looking for brands to put purpose before profits, writes Paul Dixon, Zurich UK’s head of claims proposition.
Jensten targeting double-digit organic growth after Tasker buy
The Jensten Group has completed its acquisition of the Tasker Insurance Group – including Tasker Insurance Brokers, Tasker & Partners and Gresham Underwriting – following regulatory approval.
FCA pricing review shifts insurers' attitude to insurtechs, says Urban Jungle CEO
The introduction of the Financial Conduct Authority’s pricing review has shifted attitudes to insurtechs and is leading to insurers competing to work with them, according to Urban Jungle CEO Jimmy Williams.
Intelligence: A question of diversity
Studies have shown diverse management teams achieve higher revenues due to innovation and discrimination claims can be costly. As the Dive In festival kicks off at Lloyd's and around the world, Edmund Tirbutt investigates if the insurance industry is…