Consolidators
Comment - Brokers & claims: Claims expertise - the future of broking?
2011 is shaping up to be tough for brokers. John Greenway argues claims expertise is an area ripe for differentiation and the best way to solidify client relationships.
Subsidence - Tree preservation orders: Addressing the root cause
Legislation for tree preservation orders will be changing in the coming year. Keiron Hart examines what these changes mean in practical terms, and whether some opportunities have been lost.
Wells Fargo plans sale of 37% stake in Besso
Wells Fargo is seeking a buyer for its stake in Lloyd's broker Besso.
Reid: Bluefin is moving away from 'macho' tag
Bluefin Insurance Services has said that the restructure of its operations, announced this week, is designed to help it develop a national strategy rather than facilitate branch closures.
Editor's comment: A country divided?
Who knows whether it is because the Conservatives are back in power — albeit in a coalition government — but it appears that individuals in the general insurance sector are suddenly talking up a North-South divide again.
Broking review of the year: A breakdown in momentum
2010 was a fairly low key year for the broking market, as the sector kept a low profile during the financial turmoil. Daniel Dunkley reports on the opportunities that were taken up and deals made.
CEO Hodson agrees to stay on three more years at Oval
Oval chief executive Phillip Hodson has revealed the broker's immediate priority is "getting the business in the best possible shape" rather than seeking an IPO or trade sale.
Momentum aims to help broking start-ups
A former managing director at Oval is set to target disgruntled account executives within consolidators through the launch of a start-up.
Roundtable - mergers & acquisitions: Cautiously navigating the upturn
Recession and recovery, global ambition, super-mergers, market appetite, pricing, marrying business cultures and managing brokers' expectations were all topics of deeply involved discussion as a panel of industry big-hitters jousted at a recent Post and…
Penny Black's insurance week
Penny dragged her aching bones off to the world-famous Pineapple Dance Studios in London's Covent Garden for a spot of Latin dancing with the ladies of SSP and a select few from the insurance sorority.
Claims - Private equity backing: Unlocking private equity
Private equity is not just the preserve of the insurer and broking sectors. Daniel Dunkley looks at how the claims sector has seen a fair share of PE investment, asks why this is the case and what it means for the firms involved.
Post Intelligence Benchmarking - Commercial Insurers: Waving - or drowning?
Insurance 360's groundbreaking survey of commercial insurers' performance reveals which ones have got their acts together and which ones need to raise their game. Peter Joy reports.
Regional review - Leeds: Leeds from the front
Leeds is a vibrant and thriving market, reports Amy Ellis, with many insurers —and possibly too many brokers — setting up shop in the heart of west Yorkshire.
Interview - Patrick Snowball: Turning the light on at Suncorp
When Patrick Snowball headed to Brisbane to take the reins at Suncorp, many in the UK industry were surprised. Jonathan Swift finds out why he took this particular job offer and his plans for his tenure.
Blackham: no plans to raid Bluefin for Endorphin staff
Chris Blackham has insisted he has no specific plans to raid Bluefin for staff, despite his new firm appointing a former Bluefin executive to a senior operational role.
Blackham raids Bluefin for operations boss
Insurance consultancy and investment house Endorphin has appointed Robert Brown as a partner of Endorphin Consulting LLP.
Oval in out of court settlement over restrictive covenants
Oval has confirmed it has reached an out of court settlement with Liverpool-based broker Butterworth Spengler.
Broker Network breaks 700-member mark
Broker Network has broken through the 700-member mark after adding more than 50 intermediaries to its proposition in the first half of 2010.
BIS Countdown - innovation: Listening to customers
The relationship between the customer and the market is constantly on the move, says Amanda Blanc, who stresses firms must innovate and evolve or face severe consequences.
Postscript - five years ago: Towergate in VC launch for insurance
Looking through Post's back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from five years ago reveals.
Broker focus - exit options: Feathering the nest
Finding a favourable exit during the economic downturn has proved tricky for broker owners. Leigh Jackson reports on how the tide may be turning for those looking to sell.
Towergate: bond issue is still on 'to do' list
Towergate is keeping the brakes on its £665m bond issue in response to little improvement in the financial markets.
Towergate sales day
Amanda Blanc, Towergate deputy chief executive, said its first annual sales day, held on 17 June, generated "tens of thousands of new leads".
Jelf CEO optimistic asnew hires reap rewards
Jelf group chief executive Alex Alway has said the broker's investment in account executives has been key to growing the business despite recording a £616 000 loss for the six months ended 31 March 2010.