Articles by Jonathan Swift
Why Ageas buying Direct Line makes sense now
Having been talked about as a takeover target itself in recent years, content director Jonathan Swift observes Ageas’ move for Direct Line marks a change in fortunes for the Belgian insurance group and makes perfect sense in terms of fit and timing.
Big Interview: Chubb’s Mark Roberts
Mark Roberts, division president for UK, Ireland and South Africa at Chubb, tells Jonathan Swift he is looking to create wider and deeper relationships with UK brokers plus what factors will help differentiate his insurer from the congested run-of-the…
Amazon, Google, Tesla … is there a tech giant insurance cannot repel?
Content Director’s View: Following the quick and relatively painless death of the Amazon Insurance Store, Jonathan Swift reflects on why UK policyholders are often resistant to the charms of brands they would otherwise trust when it comes to buying…
Is the Aon–NFP deal a sign of mega broking M&A to come?
Content Director's View: Jonathan Swift reflects on the recent record broking deal between Aon and NFP, and asks whether the $13.4bn (£10.5bn) price tag will be beaten by another acquisition in 2024.
What next for Primary Group in the UK after Policy Expert sale?
Content Director’s View: Jonathan Swift reflects on what the future might hold for the Primary Group in the UK after the sale of Policy Expert left it with only one significant investment in the local market.
Admiral tipped as preferred bidder for RSA home and pet books
Admiral is the preferred bidder for the RSA household and pet insurance books, Insurance Post can reveal.
Have insurers learned from digital missteps as they grapple with AI?
Content Director’s View: A decade ago insurers got very excited about digitalisation; so much so they put it in special silos and created a culture of them versus us. Jonathan Swift asks what lessons might have been learned as they embark on similar…
Would a state-owned motor insurer help ongoing policyholder woes?
Content Director’s View: With the political parties preparing for the next general election, Jonathan Swift mulls whether Labour Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh’s promise to go on the offensive over the costs of motoring might have unintended…
Who’ll buy RSA’s home and pet books if sale is green-lit?
Content Director’s View: With RSA and parent Intact floating the idea of a possible sale of its remaining personal lines business, Jonathan Swift looks at who could be in the market for a new pet and/or household book.
Ex-Hiscox CEO Masojada joins insurtech to target large insurer clients
Instanda has recruited former Hiscox group CEO Bronek Masojada, pictured, as an adviser as it looks to build on its existing client heartland of MGAs and start-ups to win over more mainstream insurers too.
Former Independent Insurance CEO Bright passes away
Michael Bright, the former CEO of Independent Insurance, has passed away.
Could a motor insurance crisis become a political storm?
Content director's view: As Zurich pulls out of the personal lines broker market, and with motor far from being flavour of the month for investors and capacity providers, Jonathan Swift asks could a combination of withdrawals and lack of new competition…
Zego automates 10% of claims after in-house move
Zego’s Ian Kershaw has hailed AI’s potential to ‘automate’ and ‘innovate’, after the insurtech brought some customer-facing functions in-house, allowing it to straight-through process 10% of its claims.
Former colleagues heap praise on BIA Achievement winner Amanda Blanc
This year’s British Insurance Awards achievement winner Amanda Blanc has been described as an "outstanding strategy executor," "principled," and "the best boss I ever had," by those who know her best.
It’s insurtech Jim, but not as we know it - Lemonade’s PRA authorisation shows intent
Content director's view: Jonathan Swift looks at Lemonade's landmark PRA authorisation and two second claim record and contemplates whether the once start-ups trek to the mainstream is entering the final frontier.
Motor repair sector must step up EV training or face talent gap
The motor repair industry is facing a massive talent shortfall in qualified EV repairers if it does not start ramping up its training and recruitment.
Q&A: Thomas Hauschild, Omnius CEO
A self-confessed ‘claims nerd’, former chief product officer Thomas Hauschild took over as CEO of claims automation insurtech Omnius in February. He talks to Jonathan Swift about taming the legacy systems ‘animal’, and finding shortcuts to get the best…
Insurtech Lukango seeks to shake up UK SME market with Markel tie-up
Startup Lukango is looking to revolutionise the UK microbusiness market by replicating $4bn insurtech Next's stateside success this side of the Atlantic.
Should insurers heed the AI ‘nuclear’ threat warning – or carry on regardless?
Content director’s view: Jonathan Swift digests the Terminator-esque warnings over the growing use of AI and contemplates what they might mean for insurers and their customers.
Believe in better – will Sky Protect break the smart tech home insurance hoodoo?
Content director’s view: Jonathan Swift muses on whether Sky Protect could disrupt the household insurance Premier League in the same way it did with English football following its investment in the game in 1992.
Claims Apprentice 2023: Episode one – Meet the teams
Claims Apprentice is back! After a gruelling interview process, we can now meet the final six candidates, all competing for the prize of becoming the 2023 champion.
Utility Warehouse launches Gibraltar-based insurer
The Utility Warehouse has launched its own stand-alone insurance company, as it seeks to make a greater push into the financial services market.
RSA’s personal motor withdrawal was More Than inevitable
Content Director's View: Jonathan Swift reflects on RSA's withdrawal from personal motor and concludes it had been coming for a few years now.
British Insurance Awards 2023 shortlist revealed
The shortlist of the 29th British Insurance Awards, which will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on 5 July, is announced today.