Jonathan Swift
Content director, insurance
Jonathan has written and commented about the insurance industry since 1998 as a reporter, news editor, editor and content director at Incisive Media.
He has appeared on television speaking about topics as diverse as the insurance implications of Michael Jackson's death to the consequences of consolidation on motor premiums; and is a past winner of the British Insurance Brokers' Association journalist of the year and Association of British Insurers general insurance trade journalist prizes.
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Articles by Jonathan Swift
Former Zurich CEO Riddell returns to Pool Re as non-exec
Pool Re has recruited former Zurich Global Corporate boss Geoffrey Riddell as a non-executive director.
Blog: Could bids for RSA Lat Am arm help Hester scupper Zurich takeover?
With the clock ticking before Zurich has to put up or shut up in line with the takeover panel code rules, it is no surprise to see speculation intensifying as to what might happen with RSA.
Blog: The alphabet of insurance brands past from Arnott to The Underwriter
The birth of the new Google holding company Alphabet got me thinking.
Blog: Could latest insurer tiff over motor claims costs derail CMC reform?
At the end of last month the Association of British Insurers made its latest plea to the government to tackle claims management companies amid rising motor prices.
Competition: Win a Panasonic Toughpad tablet and Lumix camera
Zurich engineers are busting the “boring insurance” myth daily by scaling wind turbines out to sea and climbing giant construction cranes to insure the safety of some of the UK’s largest industrial equipment.
Post Q&A: The use of data and analytics in the London and Lloyd's market
The London market is one that is characterised by significant competition, but low margins.
Blog: Why £200m Nationwide household loss might not be a big deal for DLG
Direct Line Group CEO Paul Geddes was bullish today when the insurance group released its half year results.
Aon broking arms sees profits crash by a third to £178m in Q2 2015
Aon Risk Solutions has seen its profits drop by a third in the second quarter of 2015 to $279m (£178m)(Q2 2014: $417m) according to its latest results published today.
Blog: Rating the likelihood of a RSA takeover from Allianz to Zurich
Fifteen years ago I remember going on a press trip to Munich which took in a number of meetings with Allianz's top brass.
Blog: How important is claims to the broker 'value' story?
Attending a roundtable this week on “articulating the value of the broker”, one of the key conclusions resonated with me.
Deutsche Telekom head warns insurers over connected home complacency
Insurers have been warned to start exploring the potential of connected homes - or find themselves potentially usurped in the household market by disruptive players.
Insurers upping IT spend to unlock digital potential claims CSC boss
Insurance companies are starting to “unlock” their inner digital insurer according to CSC’s insurance boss.
Blog: Six reasons 2015 will be the biggest year yet for insurer M&A
I have to admit I am prone to the odd football analogy and the news yesterday that Ace is to acquire Chubb in a £18.1bn mega deal has certainly given me more scope to plough this furrow given that it happened on the day the transfer window opened (1 July…
Ex-Esure and L&G boss Peter Graham returns with Barbon role
Former Esure and Legal & General insurance boss Peter Graham is poised to return to the UK market as non-executive chairman of Barbon Group, Post can reveal.
Ex-Zurich corporate boss Green joins broker as director
Former Zurich corporate boss Steve Green has joined broker Anthony Jones as a director.
Insurer uptake of cloud on the up despite continued legacy issues
Two fifths of insurers are still allocating more than 70% of their technology budget on non-discretionary or run spend, rather than projects that might allow them to innovate and change their businesses.
Ex-Swiftcover boss Hardy launches direct Chinese insurer Xuan Zin Bao with Sinosafe
The co-founder of the UK’s first online insurer is looking to replicate the success of Swiftcover in China as part of a pan-Asian roll out that started in the last fortnight.
Post news editor Callum Brodie declared journalist of the year at Biba awards
Post news editor Callum Brodie won a hat-trick of awards at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association journalist of the year awards this afternoon, including the top prize.
Heather Wheeler succeeds Evans as chair of APPG on insurance & financial service
Heather Wheeler, the MP for Derbyshire South and a former Lloyd’s broker, has been elected the new chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Insurance and Financial Services.
John O’Roarke teases details about post-LV career
He was once a top dog at Churchill. For the last eight years he has been behind one of the hottest success stories in insurance with LV.
Toby Esser resigns as CEO of Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford
Toby Esser has decided to step down as group CEO of Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford, the broking group has announced. Martin Sullivan, the non-executive chairman of CGSC, will assume Esser's responsibilities until a successor is announced.
Now Compare parent to launch insurance company and Frank Bruno ad campaign
The Hong Kong-headquartered broking group Alliance has received approval to launch its own insurance company in the third quarter of 2015.
Could Google and Admiral's 'marriage of convenience' shake up US insurance?
Earlier this year I wrote a blog about Admiral’s high profile tie up with Google in the US.
AA tipped to acquire XL Gibraltar arm to launch motor insurer
The AA has been tipped to swoop for XL Insurance (Gibraltar) in order to launch its new motor insurer.