Consolidators
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.
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.