Articles by Siân Barton
Are Northern Ireland brokers feeling the personal lines capacity squeeze more than most?
With prices rising faster in personal motor and household than other parts of the UK, brokers in Northern Ireland have good reason to be worried about remaining competitive. Siân Barton gets to the root of the issue and explores what is being done to…
Has cyber reached a tipping point with new entrants and incumbent product pushes?
Against a backdrop where the Financial Conduct Authority has warned the cyber insurance market over its concerns on policy wordings, a recent survey has found over one-third of brokers are still not selling this product. Siân Barton mulls whether a raft…
News analysis: How to boost organic customer acquisition through lead generation
From specialist commercial players to mass market personal lines, lead generation has been part of the broker sales armoury for years. But with a greater focus on digital channels and data, Sian Barton explores how the practice is evolving.
Interview: Chris Wallace, executive director, UK, QBE Insurance
Chris Wallace, executive director, UK, QBE Insurance, speaks to Siân Barton about his career to date, a love for all things Latino and Liverpudlian and his plans for the future
PIB set for more UK deals
PIB is set to move forward with more UK deals and is also achieving double digit organic growth according to chief financial officer, Ryan Brown.
IUA develops wording to support removal of unsafe cladding
The International Underwriting Association has developed a clause to help support the removal of unsafe cladding on high-rise buildings.
FCA warns of HDI Global clone firm
The Financial Conduct Authority has alerted the market and consumers to a clone of authorised insurer HDI Global SE.
Stubben Edge Group acquires Bonhill Group’s Business Solutions & Governance Division
Stubben Edge has acquired a division of insight and content provider Bonhill Group as it seeks to offer its brokers and their SME customers a broader service.
Allianz snaps up chief compliance officer from Aviva
Allianz Holdings has appointed Alison Rayner to the newly created position of chief compliance and corporate affairs officer, effective from February 2023.
Two acquisitions for GRP-owned Premier Choice Healthcare
Premier Choice Healthcare, the health insurance intermediary owned by GRP, has announced two acquisitions; Mosaic Health and PNMCO.
Nick Major to exit Aviva amid commercial lines shake-up
Aviva UK has spilt is commercial lines business into two divisions, SME and global corporate & specialty and, in personal lines, HNW boss, Simon Mobey is set to step down.
Seventeen Group buys Scottish broker CCRS
Seventeen Group has bought Glasgow-based broker CCRS for an undisclosed sum.
Truss’s mooted regulation merger plan derided
Former business secretary, Vince Cable, has attacked Liz Truss’s rumoured plan to merge the Financial Conduct Authority, Prudential Regulation Authority and Payment Systems Regulator.
Ardonagh adjusted Ebitda grows to £186m in H1 2022
Ardonagh has announced that its income rose by 37% to £595m ($791m) and adjusted Ebitda by 21% to £186m ($247 million).
Truss could merge FCA, PRA and PSR if she becomes PM – reports
Reports have suggested that Liz Truss, the contender to win the current Conservative leadership race and become Prime Minister, may consider merging the UK’s financial regulator.
Markel adapts charity and community groups product
Markel has doubled the income threshold at which charities and community groups can access its cover via its eTrade facility from £1m to £2m.
Smyth flags M&A opportunity following UK General deal
UK General is planning to grow via M&A, new products and bring in fresh teams following investment by RCapital and Montague according to CEO Tim Smyth.
Private equity duo buys UK General plus Precision Partnership
UK General has been acquired by Montague and RCapital Partners from Primary Group for an undisclosed sum.
Aviva UK sees COR deteriorate and operating profit slip
Aviva UK’s combined operating ratio for H1 2022 has deteriorated to 95.6% and operating profit dropped to £159m from £169m in the same period last year.
Tribunal overturns CMA Most Favoured Nation clauses ruling and £17.9m Compare The Market fine
A Competition Appeal Tribunal has overturned a decision by the Competition and Markets Authority which was set to fine Compare the Market £17.9m for breaking competition rules on use of Most Favoured Nation clauses.
Gallagher buys specialist crisis and risk management consultancy AnotherDay
Gallagher has added global risk consultancy AnotherDay to its portfolio and the team will become part of its London specialty operation.
Gallagher denies negligence and breaches over Paradigm claim
Gallagher has hit back at claims by client Paradigm Housing Group that it acted negligently and breached its duty over cover for a £8m flat complex which had its roof blown off in 2020 storms.
GWP up but profit and COR deteriorate for Allianz Holdings
Allianz Holdings has posted a drop in profit of 42%, from £170m to £99m for the first half of 2022.
FCA reveals final rules on appointed representatives
The FCA has confirmed new rules to make authorised financial firms more responsible for their appointed representatives.