Articles by Jonathan Swift
Big interview: Michael Rea, Gallagher UK
Having taken on the Gallagher UK CEO role at the start of the year, Micheal Rea talks to Jonathan Swift about breaking the £1bn revenue barrier, the benefits of scale, putting M&A on hold and why the market is in transition in terms of rates.
Six reasons Ageas could be the perfect insurance ‘partner’ for Saga
Content Director’s View: As Saga admits it is in talks with Ageas, Jonathan Swift suggests there is a lot to like about a potential ‘partnership’ between the two, not least as a spring board for further deals.
Gallagher’s Rea bemoans ‘basic’ service remains a differentiator
Such has been the drop in service standards among insurers, anyone offering “the bare minimum” might stand out in the current market, according to the CEO of the UK’s largest insurance broker, Gallagher.
Insurers need to be ready for AI ‘arms race’ in fraud
The proliferation of artificial intelligence is going to heap more pressure on the insurance industry to use “technology to fight technology”.
Insurance sector ready to shake off ‘elitist’ tag over fraud data-sharing
The insurance industry could be less elitist around data and intelligence sharing to help combat fraud, according to leading market practitioners.
ABI fraud head hails joint effort in combating cannabis farm property claims
The insurance industry’s efforts to stamp out the ongoing problem of illegal cannabis farms in partnership with the police and other agencies, has been singled out as a sign of the potential of what can be done with wider data sharing.
Is the ombudsman right to target loss adjusters?
Content Director’s View: With property claims on the increase and loss adjusters in the Financial Ombudsman Service’s firing line, Jonathan Swift asks the sector what it is doing to address the flack.
Former Crawford exec Sadowski returns with senior TPA role
Former senior Crawford manager Lee Sadowski has returned to the claims management space joining home emergency third party administration specialist Preferred as chief strategy officer to help ramp up its insurance presence.
Post Claims Club Podcast: Shift Technology’s George Robbins
In the first of a series of interviews with key figures in the claims space, Post content director Jonathan Swift caught up with Shift Technology’s new head of UK markets George Robbins.
Is fraud detection the only funding certainty in insurance?
Content Director’s View: Another year, another raft of insurers highlighting record fraud detections and savings. Jonathan Swift reflects on this and asks whether the industry is close to a tipping point when it comes to continued improvements in…
Industry figures hail ‘inspiration’ and ‘genius’ BIA Achievement Award winner Steve White
A host of insurance figures have acclaimed the Achievement Award winner at the British Insurance Awards, former British Insurance Brokers’ Association CEO Steve White.
Use ‘data explosion’ to make property claims more predictable
Lessons could be learned from the motor sector in terms of making property insurance data more standardized to help with predictability and clarity around claims.
Insurers urged to encourage adjusters to ‘get the knowledge’ over Build Back Better
Insurers have been urged to get Flood Re to revisit the highest sum that can be claimed with its Build Back Better scheme and better educate their loss adjusters on the scheme.
Green shoots, but claims managers predict inflation to continue into 2025
Senior claims managers are seeing property claims inflation ease, but expect it to remain high for the foreseeable future; with suppliers turning their backs on insurance work being cited as a factor.
What does Winslow’s hiring splurge say about DLG’s future?
Content Director’s View: Jonathan Swift takes stock of Direct Line Group CEO Adam Winslow’s new look executive team and asks whether it has the attributes to succeed.
Has the Biba Conference shed its ‘Butlin’s for Brokers’ reputation?
Content Director’s View: Jonathan Swift looks at whether the British Insurance Brokers’ Association Conference has shed its image as a booze-up for brokers and how it might have achieved it.
DLG or Esure – which Peter Wood baby is most likely to bounce back?
Content Director’s View: Direct Line Group and Esure are looking to put recent troubles behind them after less than stellar performances in 2023. With both claiming solid foundations on which to now prosper, Jonathan Swift reflects on the chances either…
JCG uplift of 22% could mean small track claims limit is increased
The incoming uplift for personal injury claims recommended in the Judicial College Guidelines might need to see an upheaval in limits applied to the Official Injury Claims portal.
British Insurance Awards 2024 shortlist revealed
The shortlist of the 30th British Insurance Awards, which will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on 3 July, is announced today.
MIB to roll out ANPR-linked ‘scalpel’ approach to tackling uninsured driving
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau is to roll out new technology that will act more like a ‘scalpel’ than the present ‘lucky dip’ approach to catching uninsured drivers.
Motor insurers warned about political and regulatory intervention
Motor insurers stand on the precipice of a possible explosion in complaints relating to essentials and value policies. And if the industry does not act it should be ready for political and regulatory intervention.
Who’s next on Lloyd’s Big Game hit list after snagging Aviva?
Content Director’s View: With Aviva tipped to return to Lloyd’s in 2024, Jonathan Swift weighs up who else might be trailed, tracked and snared by the market’s CEO John Neal.
Why Ageas buying Direct Line makes sense now
Having been talked about as a takeover target itself in recent years, content director Jonathan Swift observes Ageas’ move for Direct Line marks a change in fortunes for the Belgian insurance group and makes perfect sense in terms of fit and timing.
Big Interview: Chubb’s Mark Roberts
Mark Roberts, division president for UK, Ireland and South Africa at Chubb, tells Jonathan Swift he is looking to create wider and deeper relationships with UK brokers plus what factors will help differentiate his insurer from the congested run-of-the…