UK
Bollington buys Ashgrove
Bollington Insurance has bought North-West based broker Ashgrove Insurance Services for an undisclosed sum.
Be Wiser promotes Sharon Beckett to CEO with Bower-Dyke as chairman
Sharon Beckett has been promoted to CEO of Be Wiser, with Mark Bower-Dyke ending his dual role at the broker and remaining as chairman.
Enough capital in 'asymmetrical' reinsurance market: Guy Carpenter
There was adequate capacity to meet rising demand in the reinsurance sector during the 1 January 2020 renewal period, according to Guy Carpenter, however the results for buyers were mixed depending on a range of factors.
Optio buys Newbridge Risk Partners
Managing general agent Optio has bought specialist political-violence and terrorism MGA Newbridge Risk Partners for an undisclosed sum.
Sure Thing cut losses to £2m in year before sale
Motor broker Sure Thing Insurance Services made a loss of £2.1m in its final year ahead of the sale to Qmetric Group’s Policy Expert last June.
FCA fines total £392m in 2019
The Financial Conduct Authority levelled £392.3m of fines last year including one in the general insurance sector and its first against a claims management company.
UK motor reinsurance rates rise by up to 35%, says Willis Re
UK motor liability reinsurance rates for some accounts rose by up to 35% in the annual January renewal season, according to Willis Re.
Compliance experts and trade bodies praise outgoing FCA boss Andrew Bailey
The market has hailed Andrew Bailey as having run a steady ship at the Financial Conduct Authority and congratulated him as he heads to the Bank of England to replace Mark Carney.
Bupa first to sign up to business diversity pledge
David Hynam, CEO of Bupa Global & UK, has become the first signatory of a government-backed pledge designed to improve diversity within UK businesses.
Tradewise Insurance Company seeking sale in run-off period
Gibraltar-based unrated motor insurer Tradewise Insurance Company pursued a sale ahead of going into run-off and continues to explore its options, executive chairman Marcus Killick confirmed to Post.
This week: Running off
Though a new decade and the opportunity for new beginnings are now firmly in view, this week proved that 2019 still has some endings to get out of the way first.
Ardonagh explains carrier cull and alternative capital plans in APS roll out
Ardonagh has cut its carrier relationships from 940 to 700 in the past six months with an eventual target of below 200, Paul Dilley, CEO of Geo Underwriting told Post.
Tradewise secures £55m of motor trade capacity from Berkshire Hathaway
UK managing general agent Tradewise Insurance Services has sourced £55m of capacity from Berkshire Hathaway via Faraday in London to continue writing motor trade business, as Tradewise Insurance Company goes into run-off.
Tradewise Insurance Company goes into run-off
Gibraltar-based motor insurer Tradewise Insurance Company is going into run-off and will stop writing business after 31 December.
MS Amlin puts four lines into run-off
MS Amlin will stop writing corporate property, real estate, casualty and package binders through its UK property and casualty business on 31 January 2020, the insurer has confirmed.
Macquarie invests in Watchstone
Macquarie Group now holds 5.32% of Watchstone Group, according to a stock exchange filing.
Clear would be 'chuffed' and 'interested' in Brokerbility deal
Clear CEO Howard Lickens has admitted the broker would be interested in a deal with Brokerbility as speculation swirls that the firm could look to undertake a form of reverse takeover of the network.
Blog: Cuvva-ing all the bases with statistics
Post senior reporter Emmanuel Kenning wonders about Cuvva’s 3% claim.
Analysis: Brokers urged to keep on top of SMCR as rules kick in
The Senior Managers and Certification Regime regulation focused on greater personal responsibility has come into force for senior broker managers, and businesses have a year to train all relevant staff on conduct rules.
Willis IRM buys Hale Kavanagh in Leeds
Belfast-based Willis Insurance and Risk Management has bought Leeds firm Hale Kavanagh Insurance Brokers for an undisclosed sum.
ABI opts against legal challenge to Ogden rate decision
The Association of British Insurers will not be proceeding with a legal challenge to the “misguided and incorrect” decision to set the Ogden personal injury discount rate at -0.25%, the organisation has confirmed.
This Week: Getting stuff done
Helios has (almost) done his work and got the week done. Probably because he has an oven ready plan. To leave the working week and enter the weekend.
Eldon rebrands as Somerset Bridge
Arron Banks’ Eldon Insurance Services has rebranded as Somerset Bridge Insurance Services after receiving approval from members and the Financial Conduct Authority.
No sales talks at Kingsbridge, says CEO
Kingsbridge is “not currently in a sales process”, CEO James Twining has confirmed to Post.