Private equity (PE)
Iprism records first profit and unveils new Click2Compare brand
Underwriting agency Iprism has moved into profit for the financial year ended 31 December 2011, according to filings at Companies House.
Martin Oliver returns to personal lines with new role at Allen & Allen Group
Outgoing Barbon Group CEO Martin Oliver is to return to the personal lines market as UK CEO of the Allen & Allen Group.
Cunningham Lindsey UK boss dismisses talk of bids from rivals
Cunningham Lindsey boss Phil McNeilage has told staff the decision by investors to cash in their majority stake is “highly unlikely” to lead to the loss adjusting giant falling into the hands of a market rival.
LAS completes first acquisition since Gresham-backed MBO
LAS Claims Management has completed its first acquisition since its private equity-backed management buyout from Lanes Group Plc in 2010.
Interview: Opportunity knocks for Capita's Brent Escott
Having set up, run and sold insurance businesses, Brent Escott is now embarking on a new challenge at the outsourcing giant.
Bollington reshuffles management team as private equity speculation increases
Joe and Stephen Wall have both left the Groupama-owned firm
Editor's comment: Speculation turns into action
The chatter around ‘Tesco Law’, alternative business structures and law firm consolidation appears to be getting louder each week as another eye-opening deal is unveiled to the media.
Private equity: Parabis secures Duke Street backing as links are made to prospective ABS bid
Duke Street takes a majority stake in the Parabis Group, opening the way to achieve ABS status
News analysis: Management buyouts on the rise as teams tire of waiting
Following MBOs at Europ Assistance and A&A Group, could 2012 see a rise in such deals?
Ex-Direct Line boss to chair A&A group after PE-backed MBO
Darwin Private Equity has entered into an agreement to acquire The A&A Group and Hyperformance Limited in a management buyout.
New Coverbox boss van der Merwe aims to beat telematics rivals on pricing
The new boss of telematics insurance provider Coverbox has outlined plans to better match premiums to its customers’ driving habits, insisting the current ‘pay-as-you-drive’ players are not making best use of the available technology.
View from the top: A case of déjà vu in the market
The current economic situation means now is the right time to generate rate rises, says Toby Esser.
News analysis: Groupama UK up for sale — but who will buy the group?
Will Groupama be sold lock, stock and barrel or broken into an insurer and its broker parts?
Broking - Mergers & acquisitions: Do not disturb
2011 was a relatively sleepy year for merger & acquisition activity in the broker sector. Could 2012 be a wake-up call or will the market stay snoozing?
Capital adequacy: Alternative finance
With Solvency II just 12 months away, and 2011 an unprecedented catastrophe year, how difficult will it be for insurers to attract equity or secure alternative funding?
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.
Review of the year - Health insurance: Seeds of change
Despite a tough 12 months, and gloom forecast for 2012, the health insurance sector has planted important seeds for future growth this year.
Editor's comment: Sales, sprinklers and statistics
Any reputable estate agent — excusing the potential oxymoron — will tell you the property market falls quiet in the run-up to Christmas, as potential vendors focus on the festivities ahead. Not so in the insurance market, with an unexpected end-of-year…
As Brit looks to sell UK arm, Simply Business attracts PE interest
Online broker Simply Business is expected to be targeted by a number of private equity houses and insurance firms, following the news that significant shareholder Brit Holdings is looking to sell its UK arm for £150m.
Review of the year - Loss adjusting: Ups and downs
2011 was another rollercoaster ride in the loss adjusting sector, with claims surges, criticism from insurers, struggles with recruitment, and mergers and acquisitions.
Former AA MD Briscoe returns
Former managing director of AA Insurance Services, Andy Briscoe, has returned to the general insurance industry as non-executive chairman at claims management software specialist IT Freedom.
A Plan to open more branches as brokerage breaks £50m barrier
High street personal lines broker A Plan has reported a 19% growth in operating profit for the 12 months ended 28 February 2011 to £19 95m (2010: £16.79m).
Lloyd's insurer Brit appoints Evercore to sell £150m UK arm
Dutch insurance group Brit is looking to close the first round bidding process for its UK retail arm this week, Postonline has learnt.
Stonepoint to reduce interests in Cunningham Lindsey and Lockton
Global claims management group Cunningham Lindsey and broker Lockton International are both looking at options that may see private equity giant Stonepoint Capital divest or reduce its interests in the groups, Post understands.