Articles by Martin Croucher
Government to unveil discount rate reform
The government will today introduce reforms to the way the discount rate is set, although it is not known whether a new rate will also come as part of the legislation.
Broker Network makes fifth ‘powerhouse’ acquisition
Broker Network has bought a West Sussex commercial broker with turnover of £2.9m.
Ombudsman launches review following undercover investigation
Thousands of complaints against insurers may need to be re-examined after a TV investigation found staff at the Financial Ombudsman Service were woefully undertrained.
Markel International to cease writing London open market property
Markel International has ceased writing London open market property business, making three redundancies.
Aston Lark buys masonic broker Ingram Hawkins & Nock
Aston Lark has bought specialist broker Ingram Hawkins & Nock in a deal that will add £10m of premium to the group.
Aviva hires LV and Zurich bosses in commercial growth plan
Exclusive: David Carey and Mark Campbell have left Zurich and LV respectively to join Aviva, as the company bolsters its commercial business.
MCE to pull out of Ireland following ‘incredibly disappointing’ loss of passporting
MCE Insurance will cease writing business in the Republic of Ireland from next year as a result of a loss of passporting from Brexit.
Former Integro bosses to launch London market platform for Beach
Former Integro bosses John Sutton and Toby Humphreys have been appointed to lead a specialty and wholesale platform at broker Beach.
Aviva has £600m war chest for acquisitions
Exclusive: Aviva has a £600m war chest for bolt-on acquisitions, but the money would only be spent on firms which add “significant value” to the group.
Aviva moves on from Ogden blow to return to profit
Aviva has shaken off the impact of Ogden to see a 4% growth in UK general insurance profit last year.
Updated: Motor claims from Beast from the East could hit £33m
The industry is counting the cost of ‘the Beast from the East’, with motor insurers in particular facing claims of up to £33m.
Admiral replaces panel of private eye firms
Exclusive: Admiral has replaced its panel of private detectives it uses to investigate claims.
Analysis: Does the One Call fine signal wider issues with client money?
John Radford, 53-year-old businessman and saviour of Mansfield Town Football Club, was fined £468,600 for a “lack of competence” in his handling of client money.
Axa UK to grow schemes book to £250m by 2020
Exclusive: Axa UK is on track to build its schemes book to £250m in the next two years, CEO Amanda Blanc said.
Week in Post: Are further Swinton branch closures a sign of the times?
I have never bought insurance from a high-street broker. In fact, I know very few people my age who have.
Axa UK earnings fall in ‘volatile environment’
Axa UK and Ireland has seen its earnings fall by 7% as a result of a “volatile environment”.
Ageas UK eyes further restructuring to drive profit growth
Ageas will continue to restructure its business even as the company is set to return to an underwriting profit for the remainder of the year.
Ageas shakes off Ogden impact to return to profit
Ageas UK has seen a return to profit after a year of being hammered by the residual impact of the Ogden rate change.
Clear buys Robert Alexander and eyes further deals in 2018
Clear Insurance Management has bought New Malden-based broker Robert Alexander.
Brit sees major losses of $250m
Brit saw its combined ratio rise to 112.4% last year following major loss claims of $250m (£177.8m).
Lloyd’s to pilot use of artificial intelligence
Lloyd’s will launch a think tank to drive the use of analytics and artificial intelligence in the market.
Allianz P&C profits sink following ‘costliest year ever’
Allianz saw claims of €1.1bn (£970m) from natural catastrophes last year, as the company described it as “the costliest year ever for the insurance industry”.
AIG international GI unit sees $399m loss
AIG’s international general insurance business was hit by $399m (£286.5m) losses in in the last quarter of 2017, nevertheless an improvement on the $441m loss it suffered in Q3 2016.
Insurers outline framework for trade deals outside of EU
Insurers have submitted a wish list to the government of how any insurance specific trade agreement with China or India would look.