Articles by Callum Brodie
S&P upgrades LV outlook to reflect improved capital position
LV has seen its outlook boosted from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’ by ratings agency Standard & Poor’s.
L&G GI business trims 2013 COR to 84% but flood losses loom
Legal & General’s general insurance business recorded an improved combined operating ratio for 2013 of 84% (2012: 95%), while premiums were up 7% to £375m.
Jelf brings Riverside into the fold following acquisition
Jelf Insurance Brokers chief executive Phil Barton has welcomed Purple Partnership member Riverside Insurance Brokers’ decision to “take the next step” and join Jelf following the acquisition of the Kent-based business.
Ace becomes a chartered insurer in the UK
The Chartered Insurance Institute has awarded Ace Group’s UK retail property and casualty operations chartered insurer status.
Insurance industry apprenticeship scheme kick-started
The insurance industry’s bid to double the number of apprentices was officially launched by high-profile figures from the sector at an event hosted by the Chartered Insurance Institute this morning.
RSA upgraded to A by S&P as strategic actions are undertaken
RSA has welcomed the decision by Standard and Poor’s to upgrade its rating to ‘A’ with a stable outlook following a rights issue and wider strategic actions undertaken by the insurer.
Arron Banks's Eldon to appoint 30 motor claims handlers
Southern Rock claims brand Eldon is aiming to recruit 30 motor claims handlers this year following new business wins and increased demand from existing partners.
Aviva eyes technology turnaround following CIO hire
Aviva has appointed former BT Retail managing director Monique Shivanandan as chief information officer.
MIB and Experian agree five year MID partnership renewal
Experian has put pen to paper on a five year partnership renewal with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau to maintain the Motor Insurance Database.
Gallagher targets Scottish growth opportunities with array of hires
Arthur J Gallagher has expanded its retail business in Scotland with a string of new recruits in a bid to take advantage of “significant and immediate growth opportunities” north of the border.
Xchanging boss rolls out investment ahead of 2015 growth plans
Xchanging chief executive Ken Lever has described 2014 as a “year of investment” and has pledged £40m across the group with a prominent focus on insurance and technology.
Allianz group profits hit £8.3bn in 2013 as UK income dips
Allianz Group chalked up 7.8% growth in operating profit of €10.1bn (£8.3bn) in a year in which revenues grew by 4.1% to €110.8bn.
Xchanging 'transformation' progress sparks 10% profit rise
Xchanging increased its operating profit by 10.1% to £55.5m last year alongside a 56% net cash increase to £120.1m.
Icelandic regulator revokes Eric's licence on solvency grounds
The European Risk Insurance Company has had its operating licence withdrawn by the Icelandic Financial Supervisory Authority as the unrated insurer no longer complies with minimum solvency requirements.
UK and Ireland at the core of Hester's 'self help' action plan
RSA group chief executive Stephen Hester has vowed to “grasp the nettles of both underperformance and undercapitalisation” by launching a strategic action plan in a bid to transform the insurer’s fortunes following “poor” 2013 results.
Royal London replaces finance director and intermediary CEO
Royal London has appointed Tim Harris as its new finance director and Isobel Langton as the new chief executive of its intermediary business.
CII report highlights insurance industry and regulator mismatch
Insurance industry leaders have highlighted a mismatch of expectations between insurers and the Financial Conduct Authority in three key areas in a report by the Chartered Insurance Institute and management consulting firm Oliver Wyman.
Swinton returns to TV screens after splashing out on ad campaign
Swinton will unveil a £7.5m advertising campaign on UK television screens next week in support of its wider transformation programme.
ABI calls for AEB to be fitted as standard in bid to cut PI claims
The Association of British Insurers has called for UK motor manufacturers to fit autonomous emergency braking as standard on all new cars in a bid to cut the number of personal injury claims caused by road traffic accidents.
Weston swaps brands at BGL to take on Bennetts IT role
Bennetts has appointed Jeff Weston to the role of associate director for IT and change at the motorbike insurance specialist.
IFoA paid for medical records to compile pricing report
The NHS has admitted that “greater scrutiny” should have been applied after it was revealed that the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries paid for medical records to produce a report on pricing .
Beazley issues positive 2012 forecast on Lloyd's syndicates
Beazley has issued a promising forecast on what it expects its return on equity to be for two of its Lloyd’s syndicates in the 2012 underwriting year.
Gallagher pens five year SME partnership with Lloyds Bank
Arthur J Gallagher has secured a five year exclusive partnership with Lloyds Bank to provide insurance solutions to its portfolio of small business customers.
Brokers urged to take advantage amid FCA aggregator inquiry
Brokers should view the Financial Conduct Authority’s ongoing thematic review of price comparison sites as an opportunity to demonstrate their worth in terms of providing consumers with “the best deal”.