Mergers & acquisitions (M&A)
Loss-making Markerstudy sniffing out investors as loan discussions continue post-deadline
Managing general agent Markerstudy made a loss in 2019, with discussions ongoing around its near £200m debt to Qatar Re.
Adam Boakes hails opportunities as first joint Ataraxia-MVP broker deal completes
Ataraxia and Minority Venture Partners have facilitated the merger of Altrincham-based Alan Stevenson Partnership and Seacombe Insurance Brokers taking a minority stake in the business.
Review of the Year 2020 – Brokers and MGAs
Post spoke to brokers and MGAs to get their thoughts on the highs and lows of 2020
Admiral to pocket £450m for comparison subsidiary despite claiming it had 'no plans' to sell Penguin Portals
Admiral Group has reached an agreement with the owner of Uswitch and Zoopla for the sale of price comparison subsidiary Penguin Portals Group for over £500m.
Aon/WTW merger faces further European Commission review
The European Commission will conduct a Phase II review into the $30bn (£22bn) merger of global brokers Aon and Willis Towers Watson, it has been confirmed.
Fresh defendants strike back against Kingfisher denying sale and data wrongdoing
The seven defendants in the ongoing legal case between the sellers of Fresh Insurance and Kingfisher have struck back denying the accusations of data protection breaches and fraudulent misrepresentation while claiming that the buyers sacked key directors…
For the record: The week in deals featuring Aviva, Brit, Cazoo, CFC, Co-op Insurance and GRP
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches and investments of the week
Video Q&A: Davies Group CEO Dan Saulter
In this video Insurance Post content director Jonathan Swift caught up with Davies Group CEO Dan Saulter to talk about digital transformation and deals, including the integration of the defendant law firm Keoghs in acquired in Q1 2020.
For the record: The week in deals featuring Covea, Davies, Inigo and Zurich
Post wraps up the major insurance deals of the week.
Co-op and Markerstudy: A deal 22 months in the making
Late on 25 November, the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority at last approved Markerstudy’s takeover of the Co-op’s underwriting business – 675 days on from when the deal was first announced.
Tasker targeting up to five more deals in 2021 after Numark buy
Tasker Insurance Brokers is looking to expands its regional footprint with a series of hub purchases next year, group CEO Rob Organ told Post.
Co-op confirms insurance sale to Markerstudy has gone through
The Co-op has confirmed the completion of the sale of its underwriting business to Markerstudy after Post revealed the deal had received regulatory approval.
Robus buy adds alternative capital 'string to the bow' of Geo
Ardonagh-owned Geo has bought Guernsey-headquartered insurance management, fiduciary and financial advisory group Robus for an undisclosed sum.
Markerstudy gets PRA approval for Co-op deal
Markerstudy’s long-running takeover of Co-op’s insurance underwriting business could be completed by Christmas after the Prudential Regulation Authority signed off on the deal, Post can reveal.
Interview: Julian James, Sompo International
Sompo International’s international insurance CEO Julian James sat down for a ‘virtual chinwag’ with Harry Curtis to talk returning from retirement, the business’s Lloyd’s exit and brand ambitions, the hardening market and ‘Armageddon scenarios’.
Kingfisher alleges deceit and software breaches in £25m claim against ex-Fresh owners
Kingfisher UK Holdings has accused the former owners of personal lines specialist broker Fresh Insurance of covering up that its software used the Motor Insurance Bureau’s My Licence system in a way that breached its agreement with the MIB and the Data…
Union GMB calls for government intervention in AA deal
Trade union GMB called on the government to protect the AA from being “asset stripped” as the motoring group accepted a take-over offer from private equity firms.
Go Compare parent share price jumps 18% as group agrees Future sale terms
Shares at Goco, parent company of Go Compare, were almost 18% up this morning as the company agreed terms of an acquisition offer from British publisher Future, in a deal valuing the group at £594m.
AA accepts take-over offer from private equity firms
Motoring group the AA has confirmed it reached an agreement on the terms of recommended cash acquisition under which Towerbrook Capital Partners and Warburg Pincus International will acquire the business.
Houghton targets £200m GWP in five years as Synova backs Glendinning MBO
Leeds-headquartered JM Glendinning is planning to buy 15 businesses over the next five years after its private equity-backed management buyout, group CEO Nick Houghton told Post.
PWC pulls Slater & Gordon into £63m Watchstone case
PWC has filed a claim against Slater & Gordon as it brought out its defence in the legal dispute with Watchstone, which is seeking £63m in damages from the accountants for alleged breaches of contract, confidence and fiduciary duty as well as conspiracy.
Hester poised for £17.7m and Egan £6.7m from RSA sale
RSA group CEO Stephen Hester could pocket £17.74m from the sale of the insurer with UK and international CEO Scott Egan in line for a £6.67m pay out, according to analysis of the latest documents published by the provider as part of the proposed takeover…
Towergate sells Milburn to UBT in £2.2m deal
Towergate Insurance Brokers has sold Milburn Insurance Brokers to UBT (EU) in a £2.2m deal that completed on 1 November.
Analysis: Who are RSA buyers Intact and Tryg?
RSA's would-be co-owners Intact and Tryg intend to split the insurer once a deal closes. Post investigates what the parties' track records could mean for its future.