Barry Smith
View from the top: Winter of discontent
The British fascination with the weather scaled new heights recently, as we experienced the worst winter since records began 100 years ago.
Kwik Fit boss Devine promoted in Ageas retail shake up
Ageas UK has today announced a series of key appointments to support the growth of its retail operations.
General insurer review of the year: The nearly year
Jonathan Swift looks back over 12 months in which many market- changing events didn't materialise and finds out what industry leaders think may be in store for general insurance in 2011.
Interview - Bart de Smet: Return to fitness
Despite being one of the most high-profile casualties of the financial crisis, Ageas is now focusing on the future rather than the past. Jonathan Swift meets group CEO Bart De Smet to discuss its UK plans, acquisitions and why big is not necessarily…
ABI figures reveal insurer flood bill has rocketed 200% to £4.5bn
Figures published today by the Association of British Insurers show that the cost of flood damage since 2000 has leapt by 200% on the previous decade.
Ageas keen to developKwik Fit's niche brands
Ageas UK chief executive Barry Smith has pledged to retain and expand Kwik Fit Insurance Services' niche operations as it seeks to widen the group's overall product footprint.
Tesco insurance partner Ageas UK reports £16.6 m profit in Q3
Ageas this morning reported UK non-life gross written premiums were up 14.1% to £703.9 m in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same period last year.
Major brokers fail to sign Aldermanbury Declaration
Three of the UK's major brokers are conspicuous in their absence from a list of signatories to the Chartered Insurance Institute's Aldermanbury Declaration.
List of signatories for Aldermanbury Declaration is published
Six months on from the launch of the Aldermanbury Declaration by a task force, the Chartered Insurance Institute has published a list of signatories.
Fortis outlines Ageas rebranding plan for UK businesses
Fortis Insurance UK today begins changing its name to Ageas in the UK.
Post powerlist 2010: The influential crowd
Over the past 12 months the UK insurance industry has faced the global recession head on, taken the change of government in its stride and has shown that it is ready to face oncoming regulation in the form of Solvency II. Below we name the major players…
View from the top: Cooperation is key to effective flood risk management
Three years on from the devastating 2007 floods, it¹s difficult to forget the images of people¹s homes and businesses under water and the resulting distress and damage to all involved. Last week¹s flooding summit was a timely reminder of the challenges…
Fortis "well placed" to step in over motor void
Fortis UK chief executive Barry Smith believes the insurance group is well positioned to take advantage of the upheaval in the brokered private motor market.
Fortis gets FSA go-ahead for Kwik Fit Insurance takeover
Fortis today confirmed that regulatory approval for the purchase of Kwik-Fit Insurance Services has been given by the Financial Services Authority.
Hanks confirmed as CII president
Chris Hanks has been formally elected president of the Chartered Insurance Institute at its annual general meeting held in London on 21 July 2010.
Kwik Fit fan Smith hails the potential of £215m broker deal
Fortis UK has secured access to the Kwik Fit group's database of motor repair customers as well as the brand for a minimum of 10 years as part of its £215m acquisition of its insurance intermediary arm.
LV loses out to Fortis over multi-million pound affinity contract
Fortis has been selected over LV to become the insurance partner of recently rebranded charity Age UK, in a multi-million pound deal.
View from the top: Positive and purposeful
It's always good to get an opportunity to see familiar and new faces, and the British Insurance Brokers' Association conference never lets you down. The number of brokers attending was again very strong and the networking opportunities were second to…
Fortis UK CEO pleased with lot despite £1.8m Q1 net loss
Fortis UK this morning reported non-life and life premiums increased by 18.4 per cent to £234.9m (Q1 2009: £198.4m) in the first quarter of 2010.
The Aldermanbury Declaration - watch the debate
If you missed yesterday's live webinar debating the recently launched Aldermanbury Declaration it is now available for viewing on-demand.
Looking Back 5 Years Ago: Real-time MID updates are scrapped
Insurers have abandoned plans for real-time updating of the Motor Insurance Database on cost grounds, instead opting for a seven-day requirement. And the Association of British Insurers and the Motor Insurers' Bureau urged the government and the industry…
Webinar online
A WEBINAR discussion on the recently launched Aldermanbury Declaration is now available for viewing on-demand.
Editor's comment: How many have Ageas concern out there?
Rebrands are always difficult at the best of times, but in insurance they seem to hold extra resonance.
The Aldermanbury Declaration - live webinar today at 3:30. Sign up now
Post, as part of its Investing in the Profession Campaign, is hosting this week a special, live, and interactive, online debate on the insurance industry's latest initiative to boost professionalism - The Aldermanbury Declaration.