Consolidation
Brown: Aon 'could buy anyone' to expand its regional footprint
Aon UK chief executive Rob Brown has claimed the broker is well positioned to make further acquisitions in the UK market and "could buy anyone" to expand its regional footprint.
Bluefin appoints new CFO
Bluefin Insurance Group has announced the appointment of Robert Organ as Chief Financial Officer replacing Ian Story who is stepping down in April.
50% of European insurers expect to move to shared service centres, survey finds
A joint study by the European Financial Marketing Association and Roland Berger Strategy Consultants has found that over 50% of European insurers are expecting to consolidate into shared service centers.
Broker focus – private equity: the start of a broader movement?
2011 has already seen one major broking private equity deal involving Towergate. Rachel Gordon assesses whether this is likely to be a one off, or the start of a broader movement within the intermediary market.
Legal expenses: The end of after-the-event insurance?
The Jackson Report could see the end of after-the-event insurance. Veronica Cowan canvasses the views of those in the industry to find out if the market would still be viable.
View from the top: Answers outside London
The soft market is continuing into 2011 and unlikely to harden any time soon.
Everatt buy makes Parabis a £100m turnover company
Parabis Law has expanded its defendant insurance operation and secured a foothold in the Midlands after completing a takeover of Everatt & Company.
Interview - Sarah Lyons: What next for Giles?
Having joined the industry as a school leaver, Sarah Lyons is now group MD of Giles. She explains to Mairi MacDonald why growth, rather than exit plans, remains top of her agenda.
Lloyd’s & London market – review of the year: Troubled times
A succession of natural catastrophes got 2010 off to a bad start and the market continued to struggle - but the resolution of Brit’s future and the prospect of consolidation could see the year end on a high. Mairi Macdonald reports.
French insurance industry outlook remains negative
A new report by Moody's Investors Service has said that the outlook for the French insurance industry remains negative, primarily driven by ongoing pressures on profitability in both the non-life and life segments.
Legal review of the year: Less doing more
Consolidation among insurance law firms was the hot topic for 2010, as they try to meet insurers' demands. Veronica Cowan reports on an interesting year.
Ex-Irish PM slams tax rise demands
A former Irish Prime Minister has said that forcing Ireland to raise corporation tax from 12.5% would have been "counter-intuitive" of countries involved in bailing out the troubled economy.
Interview - Tim Oliver: The capacity for flux
Incoming president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers Tim Oliver tells Mairi MacDonald how the organisation plans to adapt to a changing legal environment over the coming 12 months.
Lark and Bollington spared in Groupama consolidation
Groupama this week insisted its specialist commercial broking operations will not be subjected to the same consolidation and rationalisation that are set to impact other subsidiaries.
IAG UK acquires second commercial broker with NBJ swoop
IAG UK-owned broker Barnett & Barnett has almost doubled its size to £50m gross written premium, with a move for a controlling stake in Bromley-based commercial and personal lines specialist NBJ.
IAG UK swoops to double size of Barnett & Barnett
IAG UK-owned broker Barnett & Barnett has almost doubled its size to £50m gross written premium, with a move for a controlling stake in Bromley-based commercial and personal lines specialist NBJ.
View from the top: Kick start from Solvency II
For an increasing number of people in the UK general insurance industry, Solvency II is already a significant issue.
Interview - Adrian Colosso: The comeback kid
Having come close to going bust in 2005, Daniel Dunkley talks to Heath Lambert's chief executive Adrian Colosso about the challenges facing the firm as it continues to punch above its weight.
Heath Lambert looking to buy after refinancing
Heath Lambert chief executive Adrian Colosso has revealed the company's recent refinancing package could enable the broker to make a long-awaited acquisition.
Editor's comment: Lloyd's soap rumbles on
As the clock ticked down to the Friday (15 October) deadline to complete a deal for Brit, the Dutch-domiciled insurer confirmed an extension has been granted to bidders Apollo and CVC Capital Partners.
Brit extends deadline for Apollo bid
In a stock exchange announcement Dutch domiciled Brit has confirmed an extension has been granted to the deadline for a formal bid by Apollo and CVC Capital Partners.
Brit extends deadline for Apollo bid
In a stock exchange announcement Dutch domiciled Brit has confirmed an extension has been granted to the deadline for a formal bid by Apollo and CVC Capital Partners.
View from the top: Specialist understanding not price is the answer.
When I started in insurance, almost 30 years ago, the UK industry looked very different and an incredible amount has changed since then. The changes in the European market, however, have been equally dramatic.
Interview - James Shea: Going back to basics
Two years on from 'AIG day' Mairi MacDonald met the newly appointed managing director of Chartis UK James Shea to discover his plans for the company.