Consolidators
Oval shake up sees Blanc take CEO role from Hodson while Herdman leaves
Broker consolidator Oval has confirmed that Peter Blanc will take over from Phillip Hodson as group chief executive.
News analysis: Groupama UK up for sale — but who will buy the group?
Will Groupama be sold lock, stock and barrel or broken into an insurer and its broker parts?
Post Intelligence Benchmarking - Commercial insurers: Winners and losers
The annual Insurance 360 Business Insurers Insight Report service rankings show some steady, some on ladders - and some on snakes.
Broker networks: New kid on the block
As Brokerdrive arrives on the scene, the debate over the merits of the traditional network model is revisited.
Marketing: The power of advertising
Effective marketing can be a tough challenge for financial services providers and having a strong presence is not enough, it must also resonate with customers.
Technology: Time for an upgrade
The insurance industry has been out of step with technological advancement in the past, but can it break that trend in the future?
A&A seeks CEO before Euro push
Non-standard motor broking specialist A&A Group has outlined ambitious plans to expand its European footprint, ahead of a potential cash injection.
Bluefin looks to become ‘consolidator of choice’
Bluefin has staked its claim on becoming the consolidator of choice as it sets out to beef up its existing 54 offices in the UK after getting extra backing from its insurer parent.
Interview - Rob Brown: The best job in the market
Despite being one to shun the limelight, Rob Brown, chief executive of Aon UK, has no qualms about answering his critics over the firm's carrier charge and contingent commissions, admitting he is pleased with progress to date. Daniel Dunkley reports.
News analysis - Mark Hodges' move: A little bit of history repeating
With the shock news that Mark Hodges is to join Towergate, Daniel Dunkley reports on the market's reaction and what this means for Aviva and the consolidator.
Broker IPOs: Who dares wins
Broker IPOs keep the rumour mill active but very few actually occur. Rachel Gordon finds out why this is and looks at which companies are most likely to pursue the public route.
Giles rebuffs claim that growth dependent on acquisitions
Giles Insurance Brokers has stated its growth "does not depend on acquisitions" as it recorded an operating loss of £6.5m (2009: £8.4m profit) for the year ended August 2010.
Editor's comment: tying the knot
The rest of the world may remain obsessed by romance or reactionaries but the UK insurance industry has unveiled its own all-consuming love affair this week. Acquisitions abound in the headlines and bullish talk is nothing short of bountiful.
Towergate hints at global acquisition plans in 2011
Towergate Insurance Group has not ruled out an acquisition outside the UK before the recently refinanced consolidator achieves its long-term goal of flotation.
Indie broker strengthens Scottish position
Central Insurance's £2.6m acquisition of Aberdeen broker Collins Halden & Burnett has cemented its position as Scotland's largest independent broker.
Regional review - Cardiff: a sleeping dragon?
Despite being the largest city in Wales, the Cardiff insurance sector faces daunting challenges in the future. Daniel Dunkley finds out how it plans to face them.
Interview - Paul Evans: Axa's split decision
CEO Paul Evans didn't hang about when it came to splitting Axa UK's personal and commercial businesses - and now he's promising brokers great service, products and relationships, as Jonathan Swift discovers.
Consolidator bids down from 49% to 31% in 2010
Regulation, compliance and organic growth are the most important issues facing brokers, according to a survey from Datamonitor.
Cullum backing bodes well for industry
I was personally delighted to see the news that Towergate Partnership has completed its refinancing and secured the investment from Advent International.
Towergate cancels foreign travel plans
A high level of interest from bond investors in London and Edinburgh saw Towergate management cancel travel plans to meet potential investors in Europe and the US last week, and conclude its refinancing arrangement on UK soil.
Editor's comment: Cullum's Advent calendar
The transfer deadline day, 31 January, saw a host of football clubs scrambling over themselves to secure deals to improve their stock ahead of the final push for safety, promotion, Europe or silverware.
Nationals call for FSA talks as Towergate seals £200m deal
Chief executives from some of the UK's largest brokers have called for a meeting with the Financial Services Authority to discuss concerns over the increasing level of intervention in compliance issues by the regulator.
News analysis - Towergate refinancing: Towergate to kick into full IPO mode
With confirmation of Advent's £200m cash injection, what does Towergate have planned next? Mairi MacDonald explores the options.
UK brokers call for FSA talks – Insurance News Now – 2 February 2011
Post reporter Amy Ellis outlines this week’s major general insurance stories, including how some UK brokers are calling for a meeting with the FSA to discuss concerns over the increasing level of intervention in compliance issues by the regulator.