Mergers & acquisitions (M&A)
Solvency II will drive UK M&A, Fitch predicts
Fitch Ratings expects Solvency II and low valuations to result in further merger and acquisition activity in the UK non-life insurance sector in 2012.
Your say: Nothing left to fight for
Following the recent credit hire case of Darren Bent, and the alleged fraudulent activity of Autofocus, isn’t it time for all insurers to fully embrace the general terms of agreement protocol?
New Giles CEO McManus vows to improve operational focus and retention
Incoming Giles chief executive Brendan McManus has vowed to use his experience of running an underwriting operation alongside a broker business to maximise distribution at his new firm.
Hardy sale: Canopius, Barbican and Aviva linked
As rumours circulate about which insurers will make an offer for Hardy Underwriting, sources have suggested Canopius, Barbican and Aviva could all be interested in the firm.
Review of the year - General insurance: Regulatory dramas
2011, a year dominated by regulatory and legislative change, could yet prove to be a landmark 12 months for the insurance industry.
Interview - Edward Fitzmaurice: Broking promises
With Hastings Direct on the cusp of becoming a top five broker and securing its one millionth customer, 2012 could be a landmark year for chief executive Edward Fitzmaurice
Talanx announces acquisition plans
German insurance group Talanx is to purchase insurance companies Europa Non-Life and Europa Life from private financial group Getin Holding.
AGS hits back at accusation over payment
Avertis Global Solutions has denied allegations that it has failed to pay its field force for three months following the acquisition of Avertis Ltd on 14 November.
Willis acquires Broking Italia
Willis Italy has acquired Broking Italia, which specialises in employee benefits and supplementary pension programs.
Stable outlook for Indonesian non-life market
The outlook for Indonesia's non-life market is stable, driven by benign domestic economic conditions, sustainable demand for insurance policies, and enhanced regulatory capital requirements, according to recent report.
Equistone (Barclays) sells First Assist
Mid-market private equity firm Equistone Partners Europe - previously Barclays Private Equity - has sold after-the-event insurance provider First Assist Legal Expenses for approximately £28m to Burford Capital.
Central snaps up Edinburgh brokers in £2.3m deal
Central Insurance has announced its second acquisition of the year following the takeover of Edinburgh-based Castle Cairn Insurance Brokers in a deal worth £2.3m.
European financial services M&A activity down by 25%
There has been a significant slowdown in European financial services M&A activity during the Q3 of 2011.
CCV names new boss for Moscrops
CCV-owned Lancashire based broker Moscrops has appointed Andrew Champion to take over as managing director following the retirement of Tim Chadwick.
Optimas sells Premium Choice
Mark Woods and Richard Dornan, pictured, co-founders of Birmingham niche broker Premium Choice, have bought back the company they sold four years ago to venture capitalist Optimas.
Interview - David Ross: Faster than the rest
David Ross is a man with a plan, pushing Arthur J Gallgaher International up the rankings with a seemingly unrivalled appetite for growth.
Review of the year - Lloyd's & London Market: The costliest year ever?
The first half of 2011 saw an unprecedented number of catastrophic events, so how has Lloyd’s and the London market coped?
Claims club: Dominant directors to blame for low risk awareness
A corporate “glass ceiling” is preventing businesses from responding adequately to crises, due to the dominance and unwillingness of directors to listen to concerns on risk management.
PwC research points to dip in M&A activity
Financial services M&A activity underwent a “significant slowdown” in the third quarter of the year but is expected to pick up in the early part of 2012, according to research carried out by PwC.
RK Harrison completes MWA acquisition
RK Harrison Group has completed the acquisition of specialist high net worth broker Mercury West Associates following due diligence and the approval of the transaction from the Financial Services Authority.
Stackhouse Poland acquires Sutton Meears
Stackhouse Poland has celebrated the tenth anniversary of its management buy-in with the acquisition of Croydon-based broker Sutton Meears.
Pro Sight takes over TSM at Lloyd’s
Pro Sight Specialty Insurance has acquired Lloyd's coverholder TSM Agencies and 100% of the capacity rights to Lloyd's syndicate 1110.
Buyers queue up for Thai flood-hit Hardy
Hardy Underwriting has said it has had several preliminary expressions of interest in its business after putting itself up for sale following catastrophe losses from the Thai floods.
HBL lowers offer for cat-hit Omega
Omega bidder Haverford has confirmed that it has cut its offer for 25% of the troubled Lloyd’s business to 74p per share.