Siân Barton
Editor, Insurance Age
Siân joined Insurance Age as commissioning editor in 2014 and prior to this worked on a range of B2B titles covering topics including recycling, the co-operative movement and health and social care.
After a stint as deputy editor she was promoted to editor in 2018. During that year she also joined, alongside a set of intrepid insurance professionals, the InsureTrek which saw the group hike the Mont Blanc Massif and raise more than £100,000 for Insurance United Against Dementia.
In 2020 Siân was the recipient of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association Journalist of the Year award while Insurance Age took the trophy for Publication of the Year. She also won Profile of the Year.
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Articles by Siân Barton
CII consults members on its future
The move is designed to refresh its 2016 manifesto and follows criticism from local institutes on the body’s strategy.
Blanc aims to double Aston Lark business for Howden
Peter Blanc details opportunities for Aston Lark now it is off the private equity “rollercoaster” and part of another employee-owned broker.
Radius Insurance Solutions buys Milestone
Radius already owns Burley Group and has added the broker/underwriter to its book.
Howden buys Aston Lark
The deal is Howden’s largest acquisition to date and creates a £6bn GWP UK business in “deal a decade in the making”.
Markerstudy Broking looks to £600m GWP
The business is set to invest in its digital capabilities as MD, Ross Barrington, reflects on its Brightside deal and future M&A plans.
David Bruce promoted to CEO at Marsh Commercial
Bruce succeeds Anthony Gruppo who is set to retire in early 2022.
Gallagher says 'goodbye' to Bollington brand
The broker, which was bought by Gallagher earlier this year, will take on its parent company's branding.
FCA signals litigation threat as it highlights priorities
CEO Nikhil Rathi pledged to use the watchdog’s criminal powers to deal with misconduct and financial crime.
Saga takes pricing director from WTW
Graham Wright joins from Willis Towers Watson where he is currently a senior director.
Zurich replaces Axa as AIUA capacity provider
The five-year deal with the Ardonagh-owned specialist agricultural underwriter is valued at £105m.
David Williams to leave Axa UK after 41 years
WTW’s David Ovenden takes up the role of chief underwriting officer for commercial as Williams pursues non-exec career.
Axa UK snaps up Mallaby
She joins as distribution and trading director for commercial and has been brought in to enhance broker relationships after exiting Allianz amid a restructure this summer.
The Insurance Octopus appoints director
Helen Bush will lead the business after being with the company for 11 years.
Top 50 2021 - Welcome
Still growing: The pandemic has caused havoc in some parts of the personal lines market, but the sector as a whole is still showing some growth
PIB buys Simply Insurance Services
The broker said the deal would bulk up its motor offering as it also reveals it is retiring the aQmen, TFP Schemes and Thistle brands which form its Q Underwriting division.
AllClear Travel Insurance buys InsureandGo
The deal doubles the size of AllClear’s UK travel proposition.
FCA issues warning over broker Professional Construction Risks
The watchdog said that it appears the business “acted dishonestly” and warned customers to decline to do business with the firm.
Editor's letter - September 2021
Time for a change: As we emerge from the pandemic, change is in the air across the whole insurance industry
GRP’s Gauntlet targets £25m in GWP
The business acquired Three Sixty for an undisclosed sum earlier this year.
FCA slams firms for “weakness” over fair value rules
The watchdog highlighted broker remuneration as an issue and said that many firms might not be ready to implement incoming product governance rules.
A-Plan sets sights on commercial market
The High Street business, primarily known for personal lines, is targeting to become a top ten commercial broker. Head of the unit, Richard Easterbrook tells Insurance Age about the plans.