Reinsurance
For the Record: Ardonagh’s Australian M&A push; Axa in Co-op Bank tie-up; Rock diversifies with new MGA and SSP takeover gets FCA greenlight
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
Ratings agencies see ‘meaningful debate’ between insurers and reinsurers over Covid-19 recoveries
Experts have reiterated that insurer ratings are unlikely to be hit by the outcome of the Supreme Court’s Covid-19 business interruption claims ruling but noted that there will “meaningful debate” over how much insurers can claim from their reinsurers.
For the Record: Jensten moves closer to £500m target; Laka unveils European HQ; start-up Mosaic opens for business and SRG acquires again
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
Interview: Christian Formby, Assurant
Assurant’s Europe boss Christian Formby tells Post how he came into the role, explains the growth opportunities for its B2B2C connected home, lifestyle and car offering and discusses how it faces competition from all angles, despite having no similar…
Biba unveils 'resilience' theme for 2021 manifesto
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has launched its 2021 manifesto with the heading of ‘Resilience’ as it highlighted the ways it said brokers can help as the UK adapts to a post-pandemic normal after Brexit.
Editor's comment: How will the class of 2020 fare?
The traditional school ‘Class of 2020’ had a tough year – my son proudly wears his year six leavers’ hoody but thanks to Covid-19 he never got to sit his SATS or say goodbye to class mates.
Howden ready to buy again with £500m of firepower
Howden Group has a £500m warchest for acquisitions and investments, CEO David Howden told Post as the firm reported 6% organic growth in 2020.
Q&A: Max Carter, New Dawn Risk
Formed in 2008, New Dawn Risk grew to handle £81m of premium last year. It started 2021 by looking to target UK regional brokers for the first time. Founder Max Carter reviews the growth of the company and explains why now is the right time for the firm…
Analysis: ERS goes commercial
Broker-only motor insurer ERS has the chance to make its mark in the commercial sector but will need to recruit well and target niche larger risks.
Sompo adds Richard Brown to lead on London market and property push
Sompo International has appointed Richard Brown to lead a new team focusing on property business through retail distribution channels in the UK, Europe and selected international territories including the Middle East and Israel.
Analysis: The class of 2020 emerges
The emergence of a cluster of start up and scale up carriers, or a class of 2020, caught analysts by surprise despite the hardening market.
Insurer ratings likely to be unaffected by BI ruling, says Fitch
The ratings of UK non-life insurers are likely to be unaffected by the Supreme Court ruling on Covid-19 business interruption claims, according to Fitch.
Behagg to replace Swallow as Gallagher Re CEO
Simon Behagg will takeover as Gallagher Re CEO in February from co-founder Rupert Swallow, the broker has confirmed.
Chaucer promotes Deborah Wyatt to head of political risk and credit
Chaucer has promoted Deborah Wyatt to head of political risk and credit to replace current head Nick Kilhams who is retiring after 22 years with the company.
Modest hardening in UK property reinsurance as European motor ticks up
The annual 1 January reinsurance renewal season delivered firmer pricing for UK property risks, according to Willis Re as its figures also indicated another year of strong rises in motor.
Brexit: Looking forward, looking back
With the Brexit transition period ending on 31 December, Post asked insurance trade bodies and associations about the biggest challenges and changes for the market.
Failed Elite ATE policies disclaimed
The administrators of Elite Insurance have disclaimed all but two after the event insurance policies underwritten by the insurer.
Kitsune closure shows scale and niche challenges for MGAs
Brightside’s decision to put car and van managing general agent Kitsune into run-off has reinforced the need for volume and specialism, according to experts who warned that entering the market now would not be for the faint-hearted.
PRA zones in on financial lines, man-made cat exposure and contract uncertainty
The Prudential Regulation Authority will “sharpen” its focus on financial lines insurers and those with a material exposure to man-made catastrophe risk, in addition to advising insurers to revisit how they approach contract uncertainty, the regulator…
Miller to expand employee ownership after sale
The existing partners of Miller will be reinvesting into the business to keep a “substantial minority ownership” and targeting broader employee ownership as part of the deal that sees the firm switch hands from Willis Towers Watson to Cinven and GIC.
Lloyd's changes tack on digital placement plans as it lays out two-year modernisation agenda
Lloyd’s has revised its intention to build two electronic placement platforms as part of its programme to modernise and cut costs in the market.
Big three brokers' Q3 results hold steady in face of Covid-19
The financial performance of the world’s three largest broking firms held steady in the third quarter of 2020 leading executives to hail strong results achieved in spite of the pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Industry urged to be clear on insurable cyber events or risk its reputation
It is “essential” the industry is clear about what cyber risks it is comfortable in covering and not covering to protect the industry's reputation, the Geneva Association's cyber director has urged.
Analysis: More than bricks and mortar
How are major financial centres in the UK likely to be impacted by Covid-19 and will the remote working phenomenon hit office occupancy for the longer term?