Articles by Callum Brodie
DLG points to competitive conditions after GWP drop in Q1
Direct Line Group has attributed competitive market conditions in UK personal lines for a 5.1% slide in gross written premium in the first quarter of the year compared with Q1 2013.
Sompo Japan completes acquisition of Canopius
NKSJ Holdings subsidiary Sompo Japan Insurance has completed its acquisition of Canopius after all necessary regulatory approvals for the transaction were obtained.
MP tables early day motion praising Esure and Thatcham for AEB efforts
Esure and Thatcham Research were praised for efforts towards raising publicity around autonomous emergency braking systems in an early day motion tabled at Westminster yesterday.
Oval snaps up Northern Irish broker Trotter and Reid
Oval has acquired the business of independent Northern Ireland broker Trotter and Reid for an undisclosed sum.
Insurance fraud tipped to rise amid tough economic conditions
The current economic climate is expected to lead to an increase in the number of consumers willing to commit insurance fraud, according to a You Gov survey commissioned by Equifax.
Gallagher acquires employee benefits consultancy Shilling
Arthur J Gallagher has acquired Hampshire-based employee benefits communication consultancy Shilling.
Rebranded BLM becomes £100m business following HBM Sayers merger
Berrymans Lace Mawer has rebranded as BLM having formally combined with Scottish firm HBM Sayers to form a £100m business.
Beazley claims manager Folliard joins Markel
Markel International has appointed Beazley’s Gabrielle Folliard as claims manager for its professional and financial risks division.
Stackhouse Poland acquires Liverpool broker Coulter Hurst
Independent broker Stackhouse Poland has acquired Liverpool-based firm Coulter Hurst & Company.
Lloyd's presence adds 50% to Lancashire GWP in Q1 as new CEO steps up
Lancashire Holdings recorded a combined operating ratio of 66.4% in the first quarter of 2014 (Q1 2013: 51.2%) as no major losses were added to a late reported energy claim that adversely impacted the firm’s full year results.
Hodges defends merits of network model following 2013 earnings slump
Towergate boss Mark Hodges has denied appetite for networks is dwindling and has tipped his own network division to bounce back this year in the wake of an almost 50% decline in earnings in 2013.
Willis profits rise in Q1 despite 'disappointing' global performance
Willis Group chalked up a 4.4% increase in revenues of $1.1bn (£652.5m) in the first quarter of 2013 alongside a rise in profit of $246m (Q1 2013: $219m).
Towergate earnings slide 7% in 2013 as pre-tax losses hit £41m
Towergate saw its operating earnings drop 7% to £144.9m last year (2012: £156.2m) as profit within the consolidator’s Broker Network division plummeted 42%, with underwriting, Paymentshield and insurance brokers all contributing to the fall.
Marsh boss Julie Page to chair Biba international and wholesale advisory board
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has named Marsh Limited chief executive for the UK’s consumer and commercial practice Julie Page as chair of its new international and wholesale brokers’ advisory board.
ABI close to naming Flood Re CEO as search for CFO begins
The Association of British Insurers expects to unveil a full time chief executive of Flood Re in June and has begun its search for a chief financial officer.
FSCS offers reassurance to defaulted Eric's UK policyholders
The majority of the European Risk Insurance Company’s UK policyholders are expected to be covered despite the unrated carrier going into default, according to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
Union bosses to protest AA debt loading ahead of Saga float
GMB union leaders will hold a protest outside the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday over the expected loading of £4bn debts on the AA motoring organisation once Saga floats.
Richard Thacker & Company snapped up by Integro
Manchester-based broker Richard Thacker & Company has been acquired by international insurance brokerage and risk management firm Integro for an undisclosed sum.
Homeowners urged to speak out against Flood Re exclusions
The British Property Federation is calling on flood-prone residents to speak out amid fears the introduction of the Flood Re scheme next year will leave millions without access to affordable flood cover.
IBSC chair Anscombe signs James Hallam up for Biba membership
Seventeen Group-owned broker James Hallam has become a member of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association.
Former Aon boss Martin named CEO of Willis Limited
Willis Group has appointed David Martin as chief executive of the group’s principal UK regulated entity Willis Limited.
TPA database to spark Lloyd's 'transformation', claims Charles Taylor CEO
Charles Taylor Insurance Services chief executive Stephen Card believes his firm’s new third party claims administrators central database will “transform” the management of TPAs in Lloyd’s.
Karen Hogg to become Igo4 commercial director this week
Igo4 has hired Axa’s former director of strategic partnerships Karen Hogg as commercial director.
St Jude storm losses hit £898m, according to Perils estimate
Catastrophe data firm Perils has increased its loss estimation relating to windstorm Christian, which wracked the UK at the end of October last year, to €1.091bn (£898.4m).