SME
Canopius delivers profit of £55m for 2009
Canopius Group, the privately-owned Lloyd’s insurance underwriting business, has reported profit before tax of £55m up from £43m in 2008 and profit before tax excluding foreign exchange on non-monetary items of £74m.
International PMI - a favourable diagnosis
The stereotypical view of international private medical insurance no longer holds true. Veronica Cowan reports on how an increasingly diversified market offers opportunities for insurers and brokers alike.
NIG aims to double SME market share
NIG has insisted its relationships with regional brokers have not been impacted by its UK restructure, after finalising the underwriting line-up of the company's regional centres.
Giles MD Pearson to leave after exec revamp at broker
Sarah Lyons, currently group operations director, has been promoted to group managing director.
Towergate unveils two new quote and buy facilities
Broker to target musicians, entertainers and sole traders with launches.
Allianz offers SME’s free legal advice
Allianz Commercial is offering free legal advice to its SME policyholders as part of tie-up with its legal protection division.
UK General announces restructure of its branch network
UK General has unveiled the latest stage of its strategy for the SME commercial market, confirming Fortis as capacity provider for SME business and rural.
Compare expands to meet demand
Compare the market has expanded with three new appointments, director of insurance partners, director of money and senior manager for life and general insurance.
RBSI profits slump by over £500m to £58m in 2009
CEO Paul Geddes described 2009 as "exceptionally challenging"
Sterling to offer exclusivity
Sterling Insurance has allocated capacity of £12.5m estimated maximum loss to its new executive business offering.
Jelf looks to raise a further £17m after reporting a £9.7m loss in 2009
It is expected that any placing would be conducted at or around the price of 36 pence per ordinary share and would be subject to shareholder approval at a general meeting.
Towergate boss Cullum hails John Charcol swoop as a "perfect fit"
"To have the leading high net worth mortgage broker in the group gives us a huge opportunity to provide mortgages to our high net worth customers and SME owners," he added.
Bluefin insurance business revenues drop 9% to £116m
However, parent Axa pleased with 90% retentiuon rate.
Legal Expenses - Jackson Impact: Cheque mate
Would Lord Justice Jackson's recommendations on costs reform really decimate the after-the-event market? Veronica Cowan canvasses views from those affected.
CBG moves onto Acturis
The Manchester-based company has moved its entire back office system onto software platform, Acturis.
RSA shakes board up to focus on risk and claims
RSA has made further changes to its management board, in a bid strengthen its focus on technical risk and claims.
Groupama to offer flexible commission on commercial SME business
Groupama is offering a variable commission option to its brokers across the whole of its commercial product range.
Warning over scrapping retirement age
The Forum of Private Business has warned that government proposals to scrap the default retirement age threaten the future of SMEs across the UK and could lead to a raft of "painful and costly" legal disputes.
Osborne outlines UK recovery plan
Shadow Chancellor details the eight benchmarks against which it hopes its success to be judged if it wins the upcoming election.
QBE: shock findings show a third of SMEs would go direct
Terry Whittaker says work needs to be work to be done to explain value of brokers.
Broker Central Insurance pulls into Glasgow central
Central Insurance Services has consolidated its position as Scotland’s largest independent insurance broker with the opening of a new office in Glasgow.
Directors' & Officers' - economic impact: Bitten by the risks?
The credit crunch threatens to bring a rise in directors' and officers' claims. Jane Bernstein investigates whether this threat is becoming a reality and how this is affecting sales of the product.
Technology - strategy: Soothe the legacy headache
Short-term fixes and data silos still dominate the IT insurance landscape, storing up trouble for the future. Andy Nightingale explains the effectiveness of an alternative approach, from both a cost and capability perspective.
Commercial aggregators: Moving targets
Aggregators have gradually exerted a stranglehold on personal lines insurance distribution that only the most powerful marketing budgets can now compete with. Ralph Savage investigates the potential for aggregators to shift their gaze towards commercial…