Articles by Emma Ann Hughes
Five charged over collapse of law firm Axiom Ince
The Serious Fraud Office has charged five men, including two solicitors, with offences including fraud, forgery and the destruction of documents, following the collapse of the law firm Axiom Ince and alleged improper use of more than £60m of client money.
Labour’s £1.6bn pothole plan falls short
Insurers have reacted to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander’s announcement of a 50% increase in funding for resurfacing roads, observing more cash will be required to end the damage done to cars by potholes.
MGAs Review of the Year 2025
An MGA chief would like Sir Bob Geldof to teach the industry a thing or two about social responsibility in 2025, and leaders are confident that while the hard market was punishing for a time in 2024, next year the sector is well-positioned to lead…
Insurers Review of the Year 2024
Insurers share their highlights of 2024 and hopes for more economic stability, less regulatory tinkering and fewer storms in 2025.
Broker Review of the Year 2024
Brokers were pleased with M&A activity in 2024 but ticked off by disproportionate regulation, capacity exiting the market and artificial intelligence failing to live up to expectations.
Regulator delays general insurance stress test
The Prudential Regulation Authority has postponed the dynamic general insurance stress test launch as switching from Solvency II to Solvency UK reporting requirements mean providers have enough on their plate in 2025.
Insurance Post’s Christmas Special Podcast
Post content director Jonathan Swift, news editor Scott McGee and Emma Ann Hughes, editor, ditch the usual format of our publication’s award-winning podcast to deliver a holly, jolly Christmas Special.
Making sure Father Christmas is covered
Insurance Post editor Emma Ann Hughes has made a list of Santa Claus’s risks and got the insurance industry’s leading lights to check it twice in order to recommend products plus services for the man tasked with delivering a holly, jolly Christmas this…
Claims and Legal Review of Year Review 2024
Looking back at 2024, claims, adjusting and legal firm chiefs share how their organisations handled claims arising from named winter storms, worked towards becoming carbon net zero, the impact of claims costs starting to stabilise and why some found…
Big Interview: Neil Gibson, Sedgwick
Neil Gibson, CEO of Sedgwick UK, reflects on his first year in the top job and shares his plans to grow Sedgwick in the UK by winning the sector’s war for talent and focussing on customer service outcomes.
Insurtech Review of the Year 2024
2024 was a busy year for insurtechs as insurers looked to make the most of artificial intelligence plus data analytics, but sector leaders reckon the industry will push the boundaries of digital transformation even further in 2025.
Labour’s building ambitions fail to factor in insurance
The government’s overhaul of the planning system to accelerate housebuilding and deliver 1.5 million homes over this parliament has been slated by insurers for failing to consider flood risk.
Why I’m dreaming of subsidence this Christmas
Editor’s View: Rather than our days being merry and bright, this Christmas looks set to be wet and windy rather than white, causing Emma Ann Hughes to dream of subsidence rather than snowman building this December.
Zurich UK replaces CEO Bailey with Jaksic
Tim Bailey is stepping down as CEO of Zurich UK to become CEO of Zurich’s new global life protection business, with Drazen Jaksic named as his replacement.
How to develop your data skills
How to make sure you can understand and make the most of data in insurance is the topic of the latest Insurance Post Top Tips video featuring Carolyn Blunt, former vice president of Davies Academy.
Insurers share concerns after killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO
Adrian Jones, chief of staff for international and global markets at insurtech Acrisure, observed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s death was shocking and deeply concerning given the accessibility of the insurance sector’s leaders.
How to build a sustainable insurance brokerage
Networking is key to establishing a sustainable insurance brokerage in specialist sectors, according to Jo Sykes, divisional director – broker at Markel.
Uptick in M&A activity among large carriers expected
An uptick in M&A activity at the larger end of the UK insurance carrier capitalisation spectrum is expected towards the end of this year, according to a Clyde & Co report.
Transport Secretary Haigh quits over phone offence
Louise Haigh has resigned as transport secretary after pleading guilty to a criminal offence related to incorrectly telling police that a work mobile phone was stolen in 2013.
Storm Bert shows insurers must demand building rules change
Editor’s View: If you want to know why people recoil, rather than embrace you, when you say you work in insurance, Emma Ann Hughes recommends you type into Google: ‘What does the insurance industry need to do about the growing number of named storms?’
Policy Expert gets capacity for pet push
Policy Expert has announced Bridgehaven will provide capacity for the business alongside Accredited, allowing the personal lines insurer to finally launch pet cover.
Aviva attempts ‘opportunistic’ take-over of Direct Line
Direct Line’s board confirmed this evening (27 November) that they have rejected a £3.3bn takeover bid from Aviva - the second suitor they have turned down so far this year.
Inspecting and impressing in the gadget insurance market
Ahead of Black Friday (29 November) the latest Insurance Post Podcast explains how gadget insurers are increasingly looking at the way devices are used rather than the likelihood of the component parts ceasing to work when it comes to underwriting and…
Checking the price is right for insurance
Emma Ann Hughes examines how to prove the price is right of cover for different segments of consumers and observes it requires a whole lot more than just knowing the cost of delivering insurance products and services.