SME
Iprism valued at £50m as PE firm takes a stake
Online commercial comparison portal Iprism has attracted private equity backing, in a move that values the business at £50m.
Post Europe View from the Top: Partnership in France
The scale and vibrancy of the insurance market in France is very easy to witness. Since moving to Paris I have seen firsthand the level and diversity of the distribution channels that make France one of, if not the most, sophisticated markets in…
Groupama creates underwriting team in London and the south
Groupama Insurances has created a dedicated new business underwriting team for London and the South, providing commercial brokers in the region with access to underwriters for decisions on open market business.
Commercial property - valuations: Wide of the mark
With recent figures suggesting as many as 77% of buildings are currently underinsured, Rachel Gordon investigates the root causes and potential solutions.
Bluefin puts Elite into run-off
Bluefin is putting its Elite underwriting facility for SME business into run-off.
Besso's Gladstone launch is timed for new wave
Intermediary Besso has revealed it timed the launch of its managing general agent to coincide with a new wave of MGAs in the London market.
View from the top: Bringing back confidence
"Confidence, the massive importance of confidence. Once that's gone and nobody wants to trade with you, there's no way back," observed Tony Lomas a partner at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and a Lehman Brothers administrator, at the height of the financial…
News analysis - Lord Young report: Sense of anticipation
David Smith gives an insurer's view of Lord Young's report, and finds there is a great deal that the public and private sectors can unite behind.
News analysis - RSA's emerging markets strategy: On the way up
The major UK insurance groups are currently setting out their stalls with regards to emerging markets. Mairi MacDonald met up with RSA's Paul Whittaker and Paul Holmes in Dubai to get the lowdown on its plans for this sector.
Aviva Q3 UK GI premiums exceed £1bn as its tops 1m direct motor customers
Aviva this morning said that general insurance net written premiums were up 12% at £1.05bn when compared to the same quarter last year (3Q09: £937m).
Marsh warns firms over fire brigade strikes
Marsh has warned companies to take extra precautions to protect their businesses during planned industrial action on 5-7 November by the UK’s Fire Brigade Union.
Exclusive content now available on Post Europe
Post Europe’s weekly update is now live with a look at anticompetitive practices in the Ukraine insurance market, as well as a View from the Top opinion on how Spanish SMEs are waking up to the need for D&O cover.
Post Europe View from the Top: The impact of the financial crisis on the Spanish D&O insurance sector
The financial crisis and the resulting economic complications in Spain have caused a sharp increase in the number of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies taken out.
Novae teams up with Lloyd's broker to launch new MGA Gladstone
Lloyd's broker Besso Group has launched a managing general agent named Gladstone Underwriting, to provide an online commercial underwriting facility.
Niche business in favour as Banga expands role
Brit's new head of UK distribution Vivek Banga has revealed the insurer will aim to write more niche business as it looks to expand its UK broker footprint.
Interview - Andrew Mckee: Planning for the next stage
Having taken over at Lloyd's insurer Mitsui, Andrew McKee talks to Jonathan Swift about his plans to move the company on, a decade after it launched.
Sagicor eyes SME after Josephs hire
Barbados-based insurer Sagicor is targeting growth in the UK's SME space after recruiting MMA Insurance's former head of distribution Ian Josephs to launch a range of web-based products.
IAG UK swoops to double size of Barnett & Barnett
IAG UK-owned broker Barnett & Barnett has almost doubled its size to £50m gross written premium, with a move for a controlling stake in Bromley-based commercial and personal lines specialist NBJ.
Paraline considers acquisitions and hires following launch
New Lloyd's venture Paraline has pledged to expand its geographical reach and range of products following its official launch last week.
Amlin and JLT team up on health food cover
JLT has joined forces with Amlin UK to launch an insurance scheme for producers, importers and retailers within the health food sector.
Career path & CSR: LV receives highest accolade for workplace wellbeing at CMI awards
LV's staff autonomy has helped it land the workplace wellbeing accolade at the Chartered Management Institute national management and leadership awards.
Round table - SMEs & charities: Here to inform and educate
The SME and charity sectors have been widely courted by brokers and insurers in recent years. However, questions still persist about whether these customers are having their needs properly met. With this in mind Post gathered together some industry…
Post Intelligence Benchmarking - Commercial Insurers: Waving - or drowning?
Insurance 360's groundbreaking survey of commercial insurers' performance reveals which ones have got their acts together and which ones need to raise their game. Peter Joy reports.
Lord Young rebuffs Arag as he promises action
Lord Young of Graffham has insisted that compensation culture "is not a hysteria, but a belief" in the wake of the publication of his long-awaited health & safety review.