Mergers & acquisitions (M&A)
James Hallam reveals £200m growth plan
A merger or acquisition could be instrumental in a plan to build broker James Hallam from its current form as a top 30 UK independent broker into a major UK player of £200m gross written premium or more.
Chase Templeton premium income moves north of £100m with triple purchase
Private medical insurance specialist Chase Templeton has concluded 2014 by tying up a trio of acquisitions that are expected to generate £2m in annual premium income.
Crawford hit with CMA enforcement order regarding GAB deal
The Competition and Markets Authority has launched an investigation into whether Crawford and Company’s acquisition of fellow loss adjuster GAB Robins will serve to diminish competition in the UK.
UK General completes Clydesdale-backed refinancing after handing more power to MDs
Leeds-based insurer UK General has refinanced debts with Clydesdale Bank in a bid to better position the business for growth after handing more power to its schemes, rural and commercial managing directors.
Interview: Paul Anscombe: Setting the standard
Paul Anscombe’s decision to set up the Insurance Brokers’ Standards Council has caused something of a stir within the broking community – but the James Hallam MD tells Post the group is exactly what the industry needs
Review of the Year: Lloyd's
Post’s annual review of Lloyd’s and the London market gathered reflections from players including Besso, Markel, Lloyd’s, Hiscox, EY and Beazley to reflect on 2014 and the challenges and expectations that lie ahead for next year
Towergate sells Hayward Aviation to JLT for £27m
Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group has bought Towergate's Hayward Aviation for £27m.
Esure buys remaining Go Compare stake for £95m
Esure has purchased the remaining 50% stake in aggregator Go Compare for £95m giving the price comparison website a valuation of £190m.
Towergate bankers invite bondholder bids
Bankers charged with finding a buyer for Towergate have moved to invite bids from the embattled broker’s bondholders.
Innovation Group inks £46m deal for motor service specialist as CEO departs
Innovation Group has revealed a deal to spend up to £46m on one of the UK’s leading motor service plan specialists, alongside announcing the departure of CEO Andy Roberts.
‘Complementary’ Sterling deal tipped to boost Covéa’s growth ambitions
Insurer edges closer to top 20 insurers with acquisition of HNW specialist
Aviva finalises £5.6bn Friends Life takeover
Aviva has completed a deal to acquire Friends Life for £5.6bn, with shareholders of the new purchase taking on 26% of Aviva.
Sterling deal to boost Covéa's diversity and customer service goals
Sterling managing director John Blundell says the business' buyer Covéa is a "good fit" for the insurer and is supportive of its existing growth plans.
Covéa closes Sterling deal
Covéa has completed a deal to acquire high-net worth insurer Sterling from founder Nicholas Cooper.
CFS boss Campbell to lead BLM's Irish business following merger
Campbell Fitzpatrick Solicitors managing partner Peter Campbell is to lead BLM’s Irish business following the completion of the merger between the two law firms.
Brightside tipped to dip into £350m warchest for 2015 acquisitions
Brightside is poised to make multiple acquisitions next year from a £350m fund, according to a well-placed market source.
Fitch predicts more consolidation among smaller European insurers
Merger and acquisition activity among smaller European insurers is likely to gather momentum as the countdown to Solvency II continues and profitability remains under pressure, according to Fitch Ratings.
Increased M&A activity predicted among MGAs
Merger and acquisition activity in the managing general agent sector is set to take-off with 40% of UK MGAs either currently involved in mergers and acquisitions or planning to pursue such opportunities during the next three years, according to a survey…
Editor's comment: Towergate's last chapter?
Last week would have been a very good time to hide bad news in the insurance industry, as all anyone wanted to talk about was the future of Towergate.
Redburn appointment hints at piecemeal Towergate sale
Executive chairman claimed group would be sold as a whole
Aviva shares drop after Friends Life announcement
Aviva saw its share price decline more than 5% in a single day after it announced it was in acquisition talks with Friends Life.
Aviva and Friends Life in takeover talks
Aviva and Friends Life have confirmed they have reached an agreement on the financial terms of a share combination of the two companies.
The hunt for Asia acquisitions
The market for mergers and acquisitions in Asia remains strong as international and domestic insurers look to grow their operations in the booming region writes Nicky Burridge.
Marsh tipped to lead Towergate bidding
Some of the UK’s largest brokers have been floated as potential bidders for Towergate, with Marsh favourite among some observers.