
Harry Curtis
Chief Reporter, Post
Harry is chief reporter for Insurance Post covering commercial lines and the London market.
He joined Insurance Post in 2018 and won the British Insurance Brokers’ Association Most Promising Newcomer award in 2019. In 2022, he was highly commended in the Headlinemoney Awards General Insurance B2B Journalist of the Year category.
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Articles by Harry Curtis
Tiernan calls out ‘egregious trading behaviours’ at Lloyd’s
Incoming Lloyd’s CEO Patrick Tiernan has called out examples of “egregious trading behaviours”, saying that he currently has “cause for concern, but not alarm.”
CMA launches probe into Aviva’s takeover of Direct Line
The Competition and Markets Authority has launched a probe of the prospective acquisition of Direct Line Group by Aviva, with its decision due by 10 July.
What is making waves in marine insurance
The marine insurance industry is navigating turbulent waters as it heads into 2025 from shifting market dynamics to emerging risks, Harry Curtis examines how insurers are balancing a complex set of challenges.
Wallace reveals QBE’s plans to build on recent wins
QBE’s Chris Wallace has told Post that the insurer doesn’t need to “chase the market” as trading conditions soften, having established a “strong foundation” in the UK over recent years.
Tiernan appointment comes at ‘tipping point’ for Lloyd’s
Market executives and trade bodies have weighed in on Patrick Tiernan’s appointment as Lloyd’s CEO, outlining what they expect from the new boss.
Optalitix reveals how tech underpinned Pool Re’s evolution
Pool Re’s recent switch to a treaty model for its terrorism property reinsurance scheme would not have been possible without a new platform built by Optalitix, the tech vendor’s head of insurance platforms has told Post.
GenAI advancements prompt Blueprint Two rethink
Velonetic CEO Bob James has said delays to phase two of Blueprint Two come with the silver lining of allowing the market to take advantage of recent advancements in generative artificial intelligence.
Law firm executives deny ‘missing millions’ charges
Five former executives of shuttered law firm Axiom Ince have pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against them by the Serious Fraud Office in relation to approximately £66m of missing client money.
Norgrove reveals timeline for RSA rebrand to Intact
RSA CEO Ken Norgrove has told Post that the insurer’s rebrand to Intact will go live in October, and that the idea to rechristen the business came from him, not Toronto.
Howden hits back at £20m lawsuit
Howden has hit back at a £20m lawsuit brought against it by a luxury hotel group, calling it “the product of hindsight” and arguing it “lacks any proper foundation in fact or law”.
Zywave identifies lawsuits as growing source of cyber losses
Financial losses associated with cyber events that stem not from hackers themselves but from legal wrangling in the aftermath are increasing, according to platform provider Zywave.
Probitas CEO to retire a year on from Aviva acquisition
Probitas CEO Ash Bathia will retire at the end of July, with Aviva’s global corporate and specialty managing director Matthew Washington set to take the reins at the Lloyd’s insurer.
Axa UK reports £148m turnaround in underwriting fortunes
Axa’s UK general insurance operation returned to an underwriting profit in 2024, as its loss ratio plummeted nearly 16 percentage points.
Gallagher on the hook for up to £5m damages
The High Court has ruled Gallagher could owe damages of up to £5m to a housing trust due to its negligence resulting in its client missing out on data breach cover.
More Cowbell coming to UK insurance market
Managing general agent Cowbell has made its first move beyond the standalone cyber insurance market in the UK with the launch of a hybrid professional indemnity and cyber solution for technology firms.
Q&A: Jared Ball, Aon
Jared Ball, recently appointed global practice leader of Aon’s space division, sits down with Post to explore how the broker is navigating changing client needs.
Arch GWP falls due to Gap pause and softening rates
Arch’s UK insurance company saw gross written premiums tumble by more than 10% last year as a result of the Financial Conduct Authority’s pause on Gap insurance sales and softening London market rates.
Ferma CEO and secretary general Typhaine Beaupérin to step down
Typhaine Beaupérin, the CEO and secretary general of the Federation of European Risk Management Associations, will step down from the organisation in June.
Insurers hold their breath ahead of talc group action
A nascent UK group action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson linking talcum powder with cancer is being closely watched by insurers.
Wave of cyber resilience legislation a boon to insurers
Forthcoming and recent legislation prescribing minimum cyber security standards for certain businesses and organisations will be welcomed by cyber insurers, experts have said.
Insurers eye increase in terrorism cover sales
Insurers are tentatively anticipating an uptick in the number of businesses buying terrorism cover, following changes to the Pool Re reinsurance scheme last week.
Big Interview: Tom Downey, Pen Underwriting
As Pen turns 10, CEO Tom Downey sits down with Harry Curtis to outline his plans to turn the MGA into the equal of the UK’s largest insurers.
Martyn's Law receives Royal Assent
Businesses have been given two years to implement the requirements of Martyn’s Law, landmark piece of counter-terrorism legislation.
‘Boomier and bustier’ cyber market needs to grow more sustainably
Gallagher Re CEO Tom Wakefield has challenged the cyber insurance market to act now to avoid future volatility, after saying that recent cycle management had cost the class of business in terms of growth.