Consolidators
Why insurance’s culture of utmost good faith is under threat
After nearly four decades working in general insurance, Brett Sainty, CEO of BLW Insurance Brokers, warns that rising enforcement action, commercial pressures and mounting broker debt signal a dangerous erosion of integrity, trust and the doctrine of utmost good faith at the heart of the industry.
Technology due diligence takes centre stage in insurance M&A
From costly integration to toxic technology debt, Scott Thomson, insurance solutions director at FintechOS, explains how outdated systems are blocking insurance takeover deals.
WTW Networks MD teases ‘transformational’ plans
John Read, managing director of WTW Networks has noticed a reduction in consolidation, and teased some “transformational” changes at the firm.
Are broker share options worth the paper they’re written on?
Editor’s View: Emma Ann Hughes argues refinancing plus M&A talks at broking giants has provided a wake-up call to re-examine the share schemes used liberally to recruit and retain top talent.
Zurich growth not enough despite new business surge
Zurich saw new business for its UK regional business increase 20% in the first half of the year, but the insurer’s head of retail commercial Morgan Lyons believes it can boost that further, despite competitive market conditions.
Markel’s Galjaard outlines plan to double the UK business
Markel’s UK managing director Neil Galjaard shared the business has just signed off a growth strategy that aims to double the size of the business by 2030.
How IT innovation is affecting insurance brokers
As thousands pack their bags for next week’s British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference in Manchester, Tom Luckham explores the ongoing reinvention of insurance distribution and the different challenges as well as opportunities this new era…
Yutree plans tech investment following management buyout
Insurance broker and underwriting agency Yutree Insurance has completed a management buyout, stating that it wants to “deliberately” buck the trend of selling to consolidators.
Big Interview: Consilium’s James Baird and Paul Richards
Scott McGee sits down with Consilium co-CEOs James Baird and Paul Richards to discuss the broker’s rapid growth over the last two years, and why they would need a cow to jump over the moon to consider an acquisition.
Q&A: John Dunn, Brokerbility
After more than 18 months into his role as MD of Brokerbility, John Dunn catches up with Insurance Post to discuss bring clarity to the networks, refreshing tired shcemes, and how he hopes to help partners and members "outperform the market"
Jensten’s Hardie on the need for Nike-like entrepreneurs
View from the Top: Alistair Hardie, CEO of Jensten Group, looks at the challenges facing entrepreneurs in the insurance sector.
Big Interview: Alistair Hardie, Jensten Group
Alistair Hardie, CEO of Jensten Group, updates Scott McGee on the broker’s anticipated sale, its “radical overhaul”, and where it may shift its M&A focus to in the future.
Aviva building out strategic broker proposition
Aviva is undertaking a process in which it is engaging with key, strategic brokers in order to build out a new proposition, with a view to launch by January 2025 at the latest.
What M&A activity in 2023 indicates for deals in 2024
Data analysis: The number of UK insurance merger and acquisition deals rose from 98 in 2022 to 112 in 2023, but total deal value fell significantly from £5.1bn to £3.3bn year-on-year.
Q&A: Stuart Kilpatrick, Burns & Wilcox
Stuart Kilpatrick, managing director of Burns & Wilcox UK, tells Insurance Post about the post-Biba conference pivot the business has undertaken, plans to create a specialist business in the UK, and how it "doesn't matter” where his staff work.
Who is going to snap up insurance brokers in 2024
Age Lindenbergh, leader of the European Alvarez and Marsal’s Transaction Advisory Group, on why consolidation in the UK insurance brokerage market shows no signs of slowing down and where in the world cash is coming from to buy businesses.
Q&A: Morgan Lyons, Zurich
Months into his new role as Zurich’s head of mid-market, Morgan Lyons sits down with Scott McGee to talk about challenges within the mid-corp market, improving broker service levels, and attracting and retaining talent.
Broker Review of the Year 2023
Brokers reflect on overcoming tough market conditions in 2023 and share their hopes of seeing Justin Bieber at the Biba conference in 2024 “just for the pun of it”.
Q&A: Onno Janssen, CEO, PIB Group Europe
Onno Janssen, CEO of PIB Group Europe, speaks to Scott McGee about PIB's European expansion, and how the the UK and the continent’s regulatory environment differs.
Best Insurance Employers to work for in 2023 revealed
Konsileo and Aioi Nissay Dowa Europe have been named as the greatest SME and large places to work, respectively, in this year's Insurance Post Best Insurance Employers Survey.
Big Interview: PIB Group CEO Brendan McManus
After 45 years in insurance – seven of those at the helm of PIB – Brendan McManus has no plans to stop anytime soon.