Articles by Emmanuel Kenning
FCA warns principals against ‘tick-box’ approach to ARs
A review by the Financial Conduct Authority of its rules on appointed representatives has found some firms taking a tick-box approach to compliance, relying on basic information like website checks, or using self-declarations from their ARs to…
Allianz reveals rise in cloned businesses motor fleet fraud attempts
Allianz UK has reported a “marked increase” in fake or cloned businesses claims coming through in the first half of the year, as it also highlighted strong collaboration with brokers has further heightened fraud awareness and detection.
HDI Global leader Stephanie Ogden reveals UK & Ireland exec team
Newly appointed CEO for HDI Global’s UK and Ireland business, Stephanie Ogden, has unveiled her new executive team.
Interview: Coalition’s Tom Draper on doubling in cyber with brokers
Cyber specialist insurer Coalition has grown to 32 people in the UK working with over 5,000 insurance staff in brokers across the country since going live in 2022, and is looking to expand again with a network of regional underwriting hubs, according to…
Coalition to set up regional underwriting hubs
Coalition has recruited Philip Cruickshank from Aon as a regional development underwriter based in Manchester, as it embarks on creating a series of hubs in the country, Insurance Age can reveal.
New FCA S166 investigations into brokers drops to zero
The Financial Conduct Authority did not open any new S166 investigations into brokers in the first three months of the year, as the number issued across financial services hit a high of 27.
Ripe takes Alan Thomas from Simply Business as CEO
Digital MGA Ripe has swooped for Alan Thomas, the former UK CEO at Simply Business, as its new boss.
Alps teams up with Fortega on GAP sales
Fortegra Europe Insurance has partnered with Alps for the distribution of Guaranteed Asset Protection insurance.
Dual UK buys MGA International Passenger Protection
Dual UK has signed up to buy managing general agent International Passenger Protection, which provides cover against insolvency of travel operators or other related suppliers.
Aon names Rob Kemp as head of commercial risk for the UK
Rob Kemp will switch to be head of commercial risk solutions for the UK at Aon on 1 October, the broker has confirmed.
Think strikes third buy in three years with Bromwich Insurance Bureau deal
Walsall-headquartered Think Insurance Services has secured its third Midlands-based deal buying Bromwich Insurance Bureau, Insurance Age can reveal.
Axa reveals 106.3% UK COR for 2023
Axa Insurance UK has posted an improved 106.3% combined operating ratio for 2023, trimming it from 109.8% the year before.
Ageas Retail revenue ticks up as profit rebounds
Ageas’ wholly owned broking subsidiary Ageas Retail grew post-tax profit by 20% in 2023 to £6.5m, switching back to growth after declining in 2022.
Loss adjusters in spotlight as FOS buildings insurance complaints hit 10-year high
The number of buildings insurance complaints filed to the Financial Ombudsman Service hit a record quarterly high of 2001 between April and June.
Motor FOS complaints stable in Q1 as ombudsman’s workload surges
Car and motorcycle insurance complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service rose fractionally to 3,940 in the first quarter of the financial year as the overall workload soared by 70%.
JMG adds to Yorkshire roots with C P Bennet buy
Leeds-headquartered JMG Group has bought Bridlington-based commercial and personal lines insurance broker C P Bennet.
Ageas delivers 49% growth in UK premiums
Ageas boosted UK gross written premiums by 49% in the first half of 2024 to €992m (£835m) citing customer growth and rate increases primarily in motor with “solid underwriting profitability”.
Home quote prices turn downwards – Consumer Intelligence
The average quoted premiums for buildings and contents insurance fell by 1.1% in the three months to the end of July, according to research by Consumer Intelligence.
Biba and Flood Re team up on BBB regional push
Flood Re has teamed up with the British Insurance Brokers’ Association as part of its plans to develop wider understanding across the broking community about the mechanics and benefits of the Build Back Better scheme.
MCE administration extended for a year
The administrators of MCE Insurance have revealed a 12-month extension to the process which is now set to close in July 2025.
AbbeyAutoline grows apprenticeship programme with new recruitment drive
Northern Ireland based broker AbbeyAutoline has launched a recruitment drive for school leavers and young professionals to join its established apprenticeship programme.
Broker branches a key focus for Allianz in 2024, CEO Holmes promises
“I want to expand the amount of branches we have where we’re connecting with customers,” Allianz UK CEO Colm Holmes told Insurance Age.
Allianz UK grows GWP and profit as COR improves
Allianz UK boosted gross written premiums by 5.5% in the first half of the year to £2.21bn as operating profit jumped by £62m to £174.8m.
FCA sweeps further into green on authorisations services
The Financial Conduct Authority upped its authorisation services delivery in the categories affecting brokers during the first quarter of the financial year.