Martin Friel
Follow Martin
Articles by Martin Friel
The general insurance sector in Glasgow – a dynamic market thriving in competitive times
As with many markets Scotland’s general insurance hub Glasgow has seen consolidation but Martin Friel notes both brokers and insurers are buoyant about the opportunities, with local empowerment key to success.
Event insurance – how is the sector evolving to meet the changing risk landscape?
While the event sector has rebounded post-Covid, it still faces a host of challenges. Challenges that offer brokers opportunities to help organisers both manage and mitigate risks to soften the blow if they have to cancel or postpone a planned event due…
In depth: How to reduce underinsurance through effective risk management
Underinsurance continues to be a massive problem. Martin Friel looks at how risk management could help brokers combat this growing trend with benefits for all.
In depth: Why resilience is key to an holistic risk management solution
While overseeing risk continues to be part of the insurance conversation, Martin Friel discovers there is a greater understanding that protecting a business is less about focusing on particular incidents – and more about its resiliency as a whole.
News analysis: Agriculture – how can brokers help the sector face up to risks, old and new?
Whether it is inflation, weather, rural criminals or staff shortages, the agricultural market has certainly borne the brunt when it comes to feeling the force of social and climate change. Martin Friel investigates how the insurance sector is helping…
In-depth - The digital age: An attitude adjustment
The pandemic has accelerated digital adoption for brokers. Martin Friel explores how the market has changed
In-depth - The digital age: Catching the digital wave
Martin Friel explores the meaning of ‘digital’ and learns what brokers must do to get ahead
Editor’s letter - June 2012
“This is an industry that is full of human beings. I would like to thank you all for accepting me into your market”
Products: Hiscox focuses on green issues and the green fingered with PI products
Hiscox has developed a set of five broker-only professional indemnity (PI) products which will be available from early July.
Products: Aviva sets second product live on PowerPlace
Aviva has added commercial property owners’ to its PowerPlace offering, its second product available live on the online marketplace.
Products: Bridge and Chubb collaborate to offer product aimed at the metals industry
Bridge Insurance Brokers and Chubb Insurance have teamed up to offer a product which they claim delivers high spec cover for precision engineers, metal fabricators and metal processors.
Products: Brokers hope MUM knows best for SME liability
Manchester Underwriting Management (MUM) has launched a management liability policy for SMEs.
Products: Biba sees raft of product launches
As ever, the Biba conference provided the perfect launch pad for many products, with QBE, Chubb and Bridge Insurance Brokers just a few of those to reveal their new offerings in Manchester.
Power hour: Break with the past
At a special round table held at Biba 2012 in Manchester, Martin Friel found out what trends face the industry and what brokers can do to survive and thrive in a quickly evolving environment
Market moves: The shareholder spring
Without a doubt the biggest management change last month, indeed of the year so far, was that of former Aviva group CEO Andrew Moss who fell on his sword following a shareholder revolt over executive pay. There is no word as to what he will be doing next…
Products: Westfield’s corporate health product will cover 1,300 surgical procedures
Westfield Health has launched a new corporate health insurance product providing private cover for non-urgent surgical procedures.
Products: ALPS reveals legal expenses and assistance product range
Auto Legal Protection Services (ALPS) has launched a range of six legal expenses (LEI) and assistance products. The new range includes commercial, landlord and family LEI products, new home emergency assistance packages for landlords and homeowners and…
Products: Fish farming specialist takes on role underwriting RSA’s aquaculture book
RSA has agreed to provide Global Aquaculture Insurance Consortium (GAIC) with capacity to underwrite aquaculture business on a global basis alongside an existing Lloyd’s panel.
Bernard Mageean leaves Broker Network for Giles
Giles Insurance Group has appointed Bernard Mageean as managing director, underwriting and wholesale.
Admiral's shares overvalued according to asset management firm
Asset management firm Investec has delivered a withering report on the value of Admiral’s shares advising investors to sell and describing the value of the shares as the “epoch of incredulity”.
Ageas looks to Groupama for new household underwriting chief
Ageas has appointed Groupama’s head of household as its new head of household underwriting.