Amanda Blanc
Blanc unveils "long term" broker plan for Axa
New personalities, changes in the market and Axa Commercial's success in improving customers' perceptions of the business have prompted the insurer to change its model from one split down business lines to one based on distribution channels.
Blanc to lead Axa's joint commercial and personal lines broker business
Axa commercial lines chief executive Amanda Blanc has been selected to head up the firm's new combined broker business, in a bid to strengthen capabilities and propositions in the intermediated market.
Hardy latest Swiftcover exec to quit Axa PL prompting start-up rumours
The departure of personal lines boss Steve Hardy from Axa has prompted concerns not only of a culture clash between the original Axa Personal Lines business and the Swiftcover staff it inherited following the 2007 takeover, but that an overly controlling…
Editor's comment: Network connections
With rumours buzzing round the market about the nature of the fall out between Aviva and Broker Network, there have been inevitable suggestions of a sign that insurers are giving further thought to the value derived from some networks.
Post Broking Supplement: Interview with Reich MD Simon Taylor
Reich Insurance managing director Simon Taylor talks acquisitions, art and his "service, service, service" mantra.
Blanc reveals Newcastle has been tough for Axa, but hails improved PL connectivity
Axa Commercial CEO Amanda Blanc has admitted that Newcastle has proved the most testing of its recent branch openings.
Cunningham Lindsey young gun wins CII award
Cunningham Lindsey assistant adjuster and major loss surveyor John Newnes has won the Cardiff Chartered Insurance Institute Young Achiever of the Year award.
Axa and CII team up on underwriting academy
Axa Commercial Lines has launched an underwriting academy in partnership with the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Axa starts with Blanc slate to help steer commercial business around
Brokers continue to experience a "lack of connectivity" with Axa Personal Lines, despite Commercial Lines getting a glowing report since Amanda Blanc joined to head up the business just over a year ago.
Post magazine - 29 March 2012
The latest issue of Post is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Oval and Giles management changes sign of wider consolidator shake-up
The change at the top at Oval has been a "long time coming", it was claimed this week, during a 24-hour period that saw another shake-up at rival consolidator Giles result in managing director Sarah Lyons being placed "on leave" amid "contractual issues".
Brokers wary over Groupama transfers as S&P puts Aviva and Axa on rating alert
Up for sale insurer may be helped by wider eurozone worries.
End of Year Quiz 2011: Faces from the past
It is that time of the year when the Post team give their desks a sort out and tidy.
Review of the year - General insurance: Regulatory dramas
2011, a year dominated by regulatory and legislative change, could yet prove to be a landmark 12 months for the insurance industry.
My best 11- Ian Wainwright and Paul Lee, Ecclesiastical Insurance
Ian Wainwright, broker sales director at Ecclesiastical, and Paul Lee, northern regional director, select their Best XI for an insurance start-up. The self-styled Clough and Taylor have chosen from the great and good of insurance — including their boss —…
Axa promises more hubs as Bristol and Newcastle open
Axa Commercial has opened new offices in Bristol and Newcastle and pledged to open more branches in the future.
Hodges makes first mark on Towergate with Barr and Rea moves
Towergate’s new group chief executive Mark Hodges has made his first mark on the business he took over at the start of September.
My best 11 - David Williams, Axa Commercial Lines
Axa Commercial claims and underwriting chief David Williams picks his best XI for a potential insurance start-up company. Relying on his vast management experience Williams has selected a mix of sporting, celebrity and insurance personalities.
Interview - Matthew Reed: The challenge is everything
With insurance as his third career, Matthew Reed, Axa Commercial’s managing director of intermediary and direct, has risen rapidly up the ranks. Amy Ellis finds out how previous experiences have invested him with the determination to turn the insurer…
Penny Black’s insurance week
Penny got more information than she bargained for when she visited Axa’s London offices last week to get an update on its commercial lines strategy.
News analysis - Axa Commercial: A simply complex strategy
With its UK strategy now signed off by the Axa group board, Amy Ellis speaks to Amanda Blanc and Matthew Reed about what commercial brokers can expect from the insurer.
Axa Commercial targets record £1.2bn GWP by 2015
Outlining Axa’s strategy for the commercial lines business, CEO Amanda Blanc said that it aims to have a combined opertaing ratio of 95% by 2015.
Julian James elected new CII president
At the Chartered Insurance Institute’s annual general meeting held in London on 22 July 2011 Julian James was elected 115th president of the CII.
Axa may create more management roles
Axa has not ruled out creating more senior management roles within its commercial lines division after appointing former Towergate director Max Curruthers to the new role of chief operating officer.