Articles by Callum Brodie
Lorega selected by Gallagher Heath to fast-track property claims
Gallagher Heath has agreed to white-label Lorega’s range of loss recovery insurance products after unveiling the launch of Gallagher Heath Assist.
Market Moves: Markel, Axa and Argo head the recruitment trail
Insurers hit the recruitment trail hard last week after recent broking dominance, with notable hires at Markel, Axa and Argo. It was a quieter few days for those on the periphery of the industry, although some of the slack was inevitably picked up by the…
My Best XI Alasdair Stewart, marketing and communications director, Axa
Alasdair Stewart, marketing and communications director at Axa, has followed recent contributors by picking a starting line-up jam-packed with insurance big hitters. However, he may have to fight off accusations of nepotism, after selecting his son in…
Penny Black's insurance week
Penny has been inspired to begin training after being treated to an evening of Cirque du Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall courtesy of BGL Group.
Insurers to benefit from public sector framework worth £850m
A national framework agreement, potentially worth £850m over four years to the insurance sector, has been announced by the Government Procurement Service and national procurement consortium, the Pro 5 Group.
Towergate sells Power Place to Open GI
Open GI has acquired Power Place from Towergate for an undisclosed sum, in a deal which will see 48 staff – including chief executive Nick Giddings – move across to the software provider.
Markel and Alterra shareholders give green light to acquisition
The Markel acquisition of Alterra Capital Holdings has been given the go-ahead by shareholders at both firms following a vote.
Esure confirms IPO intention as improved COR of 92.8% is chalked up
Esure chairman Peter Wood has this morning confirmed the intention of his firm to proceed with an initial public offering.
LV boss O'Roarke calls for "sanity" in 2013 motor market
LV general insurance managing director John O’Roarke is hopeful that "sanity" will be restored in the personal lines motor market in the year ahead and is predicting falling rates to pick up.
LV investment return soars as 2012 floods take toll on COR
LV underwriting profit suffered a £25m hit last year, as the firm’s combined operating ratio increased to 99.7% (FY 2011: 97.7%) as a result of adverse weather conditions during large parts of 2012.
Bluefin hires ex-Jelf pair for regional roles
Bluefin Insurance has announced a pair of regional appointments, Jim Pitchforth has been named development director in Birmingham, while Wendy Bushby has been hired as a commercial broker in Ludlow.
Liberty Mutual subsidiaries to join RSA at the Walkie-Talkie
Liberty Syndicates and Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe have become the latest insurance operations to agree to let office space inside a soon-to-be completed London landmark known as the ‘Walkie-Talkie’.
One Answer Network snaps up Broker Drive
One Answer Network has acquired Broker Drive, in a deal which will see the network increase its membership base to well over 200.
Late notice means Marsh may miss Efra committee flood meeting
Marsh has confirmed it may have to pull out of a government select committee meeting on flood defence funding, leaving the Association of British Insurers and Aon Benfield as the insurance industry’s only representatives.
Social media cover launched by Arc Legal amid growing online defamation concerns
Arc Legal has become the latest firm to respond to the challenges posed by online defamation via social networking sites such as Twitter, by launching a social media defamation cover.
Market Moves: Brokers continue to up their numbers while Groupama’s Matras heads for exit
The broking sector again led the way in recruitment this week with notable hires at Hyperion, Miller and Hastings. Meanwhile, Giles continued to demonstrate its appetite for new staff by swooping for northern rival Reich’s operations manager Andrew Perry…
Penny Black's Insurance week
Not content with becoming a You Tube sensation for his dance moves, LV's general insurance chief operating officer Peter Horton has decided that he would also like to dominate the world of fashion.
Citroen becomes first car manufacturer to fit 'black box' technology as standard
Citroen has become the first car manufacturer to fit telematics technology as standard in a bid to make new car ownership “more affordable” for young drivers.
Covéa looks to extend commercial lines growth following schemes hire
Covéa Insurance has appointed former Hiscox regional manager Bill Guiney as schemes account manager.
More than 'token gesture' required for mis-selling insurers, claims Biba
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has responded to the latest Financial Services Authority’s funding consultation by calling for insurers to be re-introduced to cross subsidies in more than a token way in the Financial Services Compensation…
Crash for cash killers to serve 32-year jail-term as "stark warning"
The legal team appointed by the insurer of a female motorist who became the UK’s first crash for cash fatality is hopeful that the lengthy custodial sentence handed down to those responsible will serve as a “stark warning”.
Flood-ravaged 2012 leaves insurers picking up £1.19bn bill
The Association of British Insurers has heaped praise on firms for their part in helping more than 1300 UK customers a day deal with the disruption caused by the second wettest year on record.
Capita hires five tech managers in Gloucester
Capita Insurance Services has appointed five technical managers responsible for day-to-day interaction with clients.
Motor Claims 2013: Panellists at loggerheads over credibility of medical evidence
Aviva claims director Dominic Clayden has questioned whether medical evidence is required in all low level whiplash claims, after expressing disillusionment with the current system.