Broker
Barbon earnings up 20% on back of new business
Barbon has reported that its broking business saw annual profits grow by 2% to £42.7m last year, compared to 2008 (£41.9m).
Central eyes opportunities after £1.2m move
Aberdeen-based broker Central Insurance has hired former Aon, Willis and Axa staff to operate its new office in Glasgow, after investing £1.2m in the new venture.
Higos looks for heir to pick up acquisition mantel
Higos Insurance Services' managing director has outlined plans to recruit his successor and move to the role of chairman, as well as acquire five new brokers in the next 18 months.
WNS breaks into national broker market
WNS Assistance is to target the UK broker market after winning an outsourcing deal with Bluefin to manage its personal lines motor claims.
'Culture shift' sees 100 execs recruited
Towergate plans to bolster its broker sales force by recruiting 100 development executives this year, as part of its revised strategy to grow organically rather than through acquisition.
TIP linked to Oxygen trio
The Insurance Partnership has been linked with three members of Oxygen's corporate risks arm who recently resigned.
Hubbard quiet on UKG link
Former Axa Insurance chief executive Peter Hubbard has refused to rule himself out of the running to become the new boss of UK General.
Heath Lambert in race to be HSBC replacement
Heath Lambert has emerged as a frontrunner to replace HSBC Insurance Brokers as the UK representative of Assurex Global, Post has learnt.
Hoban pledges 'dedicated' resource for insurance
The Conservative Party has attempted to allay the insurance industry's fears that it will be tarred with the same brush as banks, if the party comes to power this year and scraps the current regulator, by promising 'dedicated resources' to the sector.
Miller in FTSE 250 drive
Independent broker Miller has hired the former chief executive of Aon Global UK, Ken MacDonald, to spearhead its expansion in the corporate risk sector.
CBG adds Hatton Promotions account
Broker CBG has signed a deal with boxing event promoter, Hatton Promotions.
Autotrader names Autonet as van insurance provider
Insurance broker Autonet has been named as the sole van insurance provider for Autotrader.
Garratts launches new Lancaster office
Garratts is launching a new office in Lancaster to provide corporate insurance and risk management services to clients in Lancaster, North Lancashire and Cumbria.
Post Pick of the Week
Amy Ellis outlines some of the major news from this week's issue of Post including: Go Compare halves losses; Tories pledge on insurance; Merlin refinancing; Miller in FTSE drive; and Heath Lambert chases HSBC account.
Willis appoints interim CFO
Stephen Wood, Willis global group financial controller, replaces Patrick Regan on 19 February.
Ex-Axa heads reunite at underwriting agency ahead of launch
Derek Findlayson and Dene Smith join Jonathan Davey and Tony Griffith as Keychoice management team.
Former Layton Blackham boss seeks new director for start up
Julian Mungo tells postonline that acquisitions could also be on the agenda at property specialist Aquilla.
Marsh raids Zurich for new energy claims boss
Insurance broker Marsh has appointed Martin Clark as the UK leader of its energy claims team from Zurich Financial Services.
Senior trade credit broker defects to Aon Benfield
Political risk and trade credit broker Steve Hart has moved from Willis to Aon Benfield, Reinsurance has learned.
Giles invests £0.5m in new regional "super office"
First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, joined Giles' CEO, Chris Giles, and Mike Jones, regional managing director at the official opening of the new office, located at Magden Park, Llantrisant.
Broker Brightside outlines £20m shopping list
Brightside Group has provided a trading update for the financial year ended 31 December 2009 and outlined how it plans to use the £20m raised in December 2009.
MMC makes another US purchase
Marsh's US mid-market subsidiary Marsh & McLennan Agency said it has bought US broker Haake Companies for an undisclosed sum.
OFT considers Marsh and HSBC deal
The Office of Fair Trading has issued an invitation to interested third parties to comment on Marsh's planned takeover of HSBC Insurance Brokers.
Claims firm becomes Biba associate member
Nicholas Balcombe said his firm would bring Biba members highly skilled negotiation and claims management skills.