United Kingdom (UK)
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.
Interview: James Heath, Forum of Insurance Lawyers
Late last year, James Heath was appointed the 23rd president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, succeeding Stephen Hines. He speaks to Post about the legal issues facing the industry.
Deal with Richard King’s Ticker sees Hood Group enter telematics
Hood Group and Richard King-led Ticker have entered into a three year contract, which will see service provider Hood Group venture into telematics for the first time.
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.
Month in Post: Do insurers dream of Brexit?
We may not have flying cars, humanoid robots and exaggerated shoulder pads, but there is every reason to believe that the 2019 predicted by 80s film Blade Runner, looks very slightly dystopian.
Ciaran Astin to exit Hastings amid leadership restructure
Exclusive: Hastings Direct retail commercial director Ciaran Astin will be leaving the business, as it re-juggles its senior leadership team structure.
Penny Black's Social World: January 2019
CSR, charity week and clearing gardens
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
FCA sets March deadline for CMC permissions
The Financial Conduct Authority has invited claims management to register for temporary permission to continue operating once the sector enters the financial regulator’s remit later this year.
Stackhouse Poland acquires medical indemnity broker
Stackhouse Poland has continued its acquisition drive into the New Year, acquiring specialist medical indemnity broker, Bespoke Medical Indemnity.
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.
Editor's comment: New year, new you!
We’ve all seen the memes about how it’s a new chapter in our lives with the striking of the bell at midnight and how we have a blank page to do what we’ve always wanted to and be the best version of ourselves.
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
Ageas' Ant Middle on why the industry shouldn't focus on 'doom bingo'
It's pretty easy to generate a list of challenges facing the insurance sector in 2019 but Ant Middle, chief customer officer at Ageas, believes insurers should be looking to creating new opportunities instead.
Analysis: Jumping into 2019
2019 is sure to be mostly about Brexit but, as Sam Barrett explains, there will be other challenges and opportunities for insurers as well
Blog: Tackling theft
High-tech and more traditional theft is on the up, so understanding the latest trends is an important step in tackling it, according to Neil Clutterbuck, chief underwriting officer at Allianz Insurance.