Consolidation
View from the Top video: Aston Lark group CEO Peter Blanc
In this exclusive interview recorded as part of the Insurance Post Live Annual Conference 2021 Peter Blanc, group CEO of Aston Lark, shares his thoughts on how recent trends have impacted insurance in the UK.
Partners&’s Stuart Reid on what the rapid pace of broker consolidation means for insurers
Stuart Reid, chair of Partners&, urges insurers to look for brokers that espouse the right values in their service to clients when considering which firms to support rather than being addicted to market share.
Covéa expected to do 'anything and everything' to make an Axa XL Re deal happen
Covéa is reportedly mulling a third attempt in four years to buy a reinsurer as it eyes Axa XL Re, with experts noting the insurer would look 'pretty hapless' if it failed to get another deal over the line.
Interview: David Bearman, Aventum
Aventum CEO David Bearman explains the growth of the broking and underwriting firm to Emmanuel Kenning, tracing its route from a start up focused on retail UK SME to a global specialist and niche player that has plans to be a decade defining business.
Analysis: The CMCs out of scope
When the Financial Conduct Authority took over claims management company regulation in 2019, it fired warning shots at the sector. Should the regulator’s remit be widened to cover those firms that don’t come under its surveillance?
Fewer lead underwriters in London market 'an inevitability', says Hiscox's Lawrence
The pool of lead underwriters in the London market shrinking over the next decade is an “inevitability”, Hiscox London Market chief underwriting officer Paul Lawrence has said.
US DOJ sues to stop Aon/WTW merger
The US Department of Justice has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit to block Aon’s proposed $30bn acquisition of Willis Towers Watson, saying the merger threatens to eliminate competition, raise prices, and reduce innovation.
First insurance ESG Framework unveiled; Ardonagh acquires Usay Gp; James Hallam adds trio of buys; and Right Choice completes Bennetts deal
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week not covered elsewhere on www.postonline.co.uk
Biba 2021: The Future of Broking
Partners& CEO Phil Barton attacks scale-led consolidation and warns broking is “in a dangerous place” as an expert panel including Aon’s Julie Page, A-Plan’s Carl Shuker and Atlanta’s Ian Donaldson consider the future in a session chaired by Brokerbility…
Abacai has an 'opportunity to drive' insurtech consolidation but will not pay over the odds, says co-founder Hay
Private equity-backed digital insurance venture Abacai will not be a “consolidator for consolidation’s sake”, although it is inevitable that there will be activity in the insurtech space, one of its co-founders has told Insurance Post TV.
Ardonagh targeting eight international hubs by 2025, says O’Connor
Ardonagh Global Partners is aiming to have at least one more international hub by the end of the year, CEO Des O’Connor told Post.
Interview: Rob Gibbs, RSA
Having worked at RSA for more than two decades, commercial managing director Rob Gibbs has certainly seen his fair share of the business, both in the UK and overseas. He speaks to Jonathan Swift about his latest challenge, navigating a newly combined…
Record £10.5bn of M&A in 2020 and smaller deals on the up, says Imas
There was a record £10.5bn of UK insurance distribution mergers and acquisitions in 2020, according to research by Imas, Post can reveal.
Q&A: Max Carter, New Dawn Risk
Formed in 2008, New Dawn Risk grew to handle £81m of premium last year. It started 2021 by looking to target UK regional brokers for the first time. Founder Max Carter reviews the growth of the company and explains why now is the right time for the firm…
We can double again, says PIB boss Brendan McManus after Apax deal
PIB Group can double in size over the next five years, CEO Brendan McManus told Post after private equity firm Apax Partners became the firm’s lead investor taking over from The Carlyle Group which has retained a stake.
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.
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.
Interview: Patrick Tiernan, International Underwriting Association
Newly appointed chair of the International Underwriting Association Patrick Tiernan sat down for a virtual chat with Pamela Kokoszka to discuss his plans as a chairman of the association, climate change and how the industry can overcome challenges…
Interview: Julian James, Sompo International
Sompo International’s international insurance CEO Julian James sat down for a ‘virtual chinwag’ with Harry Curtis to talk returning from retirement, the business’s Lloyd’s exit and brand ambitions, the hardening market and ‘Armageddon scenarios’.
GRP’s Mike Bruce on broker M&A speeding up in Covid-hit UK
The level of broker consolidation has risen again this year, says GRP’s group CEO Mike Bruce as he predicts more investments to come from long-term investors with vendors keen to sell due to pandemic uncertainty, rumoured tax changes, strong valuations…
180 years of Post: Loss adjusting after the heydays (part two)
As Post celebrates its 180th anniversary content director Jonathan Swift takes a look back at the highs and lows of loss adjusting through the 1980s and 1990s in the second of a two-part series.
Competition watchdog opens inquiry into Bupa’s CS Healthcare takeover
The Competition and Markets Authority has opened an inquiry into Bupa Insurance’s proposed merger with CS Healthcare, a Friendly Society with approximately 18,500 members originally set up in 1929 to provide health insurance cover for members of the UK…
Covid-19 an excuse not a reason for redundancies, say recruiters
Insurance recruiters told Post Covid-19 is being used as an excuse for companies to streamline their businesses.
R&Q reveals record profits as it unveils growth ambitions
Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings has reported a 180% rise in pre-tax profit from continuing operations to £40.1m for the year ended 31 December 2019.