Private equity (PE)
Interview - A&A Group: A constantly evolving company
Starting as a two-man operation in a house in Twickenham, A&A Group has grown exponentially since its humble beginnings. Jonathan Swift talks to Tony Allen and Steve McPherson about keeping pace with changes in the market.
European PE firm makes third financial services acquisition
European private equity firm, Cinven, is to acquire Guardian Financial Services, the UK provider of life and pension products, from Aegon for an enterprise value of £275m.
Garwyn begins another CEO hunt
Private equity-owned specialist liability loss adjuster Garwyn is to appoint a new chief executive officer to replace Stewart McCulloch "in due course," just 13 months after he joined the business.
Giles plans flotation after MBO
Giles Insurance Brokers aims to float on the stock market by 2009, its chief executive said after it completed its £45m private equity-backed management buyout this week.
Davies Group set to sell for more than £60m
Davies Group is expected to be sold for a bid of more than £60m, after its majority shareholder embarked on an auction process.
Cuts loom as Garwyn begins efficiency drive
Garwyn staff based in Durham and Peterborough face potential redundancy after the loss adjuster earmarked both of the branches for closure.
Escott returns to London market as Capita MD
The former boss of Brit Insurance's UK business has returned to the London market commercial space with Capita. Brent Escott — who worked for the Lloyd's group between 2002 and 2007, holding the position of managing director of the UK division, before…
Aviva major acquisition spree 'unlikely'
Major acquisitions to fast-track the creation of a multi-brand general insurance strategy for Aviva are unlikely, despite the £600m windfall set to be secured from last week's sale of roadside assistance provider RAC, according to analyst Eamonn Flanagan.
Career development & CSR: Marsh wins NW award
Marsh has been named as insurance broker of the year in the 2011 St Nick North West Turnaround Awards, held at Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry.
Alternative business structures: I bought the law
With the arrival of alternative business structures imminent, Amy Ellis looks at the pros and cons of the ability for those outside the legal sphere to invest in services.
Financial services firms to see surge in PE investment, report says
According to new research from accountancy firm Grant Thornton, more than two thirds of private equity houses are set to invest in financial services firm in the next twelve months.
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.
M&A - market update: Coming together
Merger and acquisition activity is finally on the rise following a long period of stagnation. Daniel Dunkley looks at what is behind the increase.
Jelf Group turns around loss to £0.8m profit before tax
Jelf Group, the Bristol-based broking group, has recorded an operating profit before tax of £0.8m for the six months ended 31 March 2011.
Towergate chair Lyons: Hodges will join "in a few months"
The appointment of Towergate’s new group chief executive Mark Hodges is not a “starting gun” for a listing, according to its chairman.
Sword talks to two after MBO
Insurance software firm Sword Insurance has hailed the growing influence of private equity in the insurance sector, after it confirmed a leveraged management buyout from French-owned Sword Group.
Fish eyes boutique growth after ex-Lockton partner hire
Private equity-backed broker Fish Insurance is set to make a play for boutique commercial insurance, following the hire of a former Lockton partner to spearhead a new division.
Interview - Tim Coles: up and at it
After serving in the army, Tim Coles, chief executive of Howden, found fresh excitement in the world of insurance. Mairi MacDonald talks to him about the company's unique attitude and his plans to grow the business further.
Energy - overcapacity: Getting plugged in
The energy insurance sector is buzzing at the moment, but Rachel Gordon investigates whether the good times are sustainable.
Hanover confident Chaucer bid momentum will not stall
US firm The Hanover Insurance Group remains confident it will succeed in its bid for Chaucer, despite Pamplona's refusal to sell its stake in the Lloyd's insurer.
New Towergate chairman circumspect on IPO plans
Towergate listing on the London Stock Exchange is "no pre-conceived certainty", according to new non-executive chairman Alastair Lyons.
Brit Insurance delists
Lloyd’s insurer Brit has delisted its shares as it prepares to for its acquisition by Achilles.
Towergate shakes up team after Heath Lambert coup
Towergate has rearranged its Scottish management team, after the broker attracted Heath Lambert's former regional head of commercial Mark Webster and his team.
Besso wins Ecuador hydro-electric dam broker contract
Besso has been named as the broker on a $2bn (£1.2bn) project to construct a hydro-electric dam in Ecuador.