Start-ups
Industry CEOs concerned by market entrants, PWC survey finds
New market entrants are seen as a threat to growth for established industry players, according to 65% of insurances CEOs surveyed by PWC.
LV and Swiss Re add support to tech innovator
Technology incubator Start-up Bootcamp has partnered with LV and Swiss Re on its Insurtech programme, which announced its 2016 cohort of start-ups last month.
Six UK finalists in London start-up programme
Technology incubator Start-up Bootcamp has announced the 10 international start-ups that will join its London programme in 2016, including six from the UK.
Emergence of 'disruptors' keeping established motor players on their toes
The launch of a broking start-up that provides motor insurance by the hour has been hailed as an example of a “disruptor” that will force established players to refocus on their customer proposition.
Sure Thing plots recruitment drive after promising first year
Scottish-based motor broker Sure Thing claims it has outstripped pre-launch sales predictions by 190% after achieving 80,000 live policies in its debut year, with continued growth expected to lead to a boom in recruitment.
Rias founder Holden eyes £50m GWP with start-up broker
The founders of over 50s insurer Rias and Insure 4 Retirement have launched a Hampshire-based direct to consumer broker with the expectation of surpassing £50m in annual written premiums within five years.
Cobra boss targets 'high-growth' reputational risk market with start-up
Start-up intermediary Reputation Risk Solutions has been launched to take advantage of the “highly underdeveloped” reputational risk sector, amid claims the UK market could be worth £1bn by 2019.
Ipswich-based start-up Liability & General partners with James Hallam
James Hallam has sealed a partnership agreement with Liability & General, a business founded by former Oval and Giles executives Dave Mangan and Rob Allinson.
Ex-Independent colleagues Rutter and Blakemore launch underwriting start-up
The former head of London market at Independent Insurance Keith Rutter has co-founded a start-up underwriting firm alongside his ex-Independent colleague John Blakemore.
Go Skippy Commercial re-brand triggers £8m plus GWP target
The re-brand of Arron Banks start-up Go Skippy Commercial to Business Choice Direct was completed in a bid to bolster plans to achieve in excess of £8m gross written premium and 10 500 policyholders by the end of 2014.
Interview: David Walsh: The artist
After 14 years building CFC Underwriting from a dotcom start-up to a successful MGA, founder and managing director David Walsh now sees the global market as his canvas.
Lloyd’s and XL back shariah-compliant MGA to succeed where others failed
The boss of a new shariah-compliant underwriting agency has vowed to succeed where previous Islamic insurance propositions have failed by focusing solely on the commercial market.
View from the Top: The American invasion gathers speed
Private equity investment from the US into London Market brokers is seemingly in vogue in 2013, with a considerable amount of new capital entering the market.
Ageas agrees out of court settlement with ex-Castle Cover shareholders
Ageas has confirmed it has reached an out of court settlement with a number of former senior Castle Cover figures.
First Myanmar private insurers to launch in June
12 private insurers who won government licenses last year will start operations in June in Myanmar, the first time private insurers have been allowed to trade in the country.
View from the Top: Crucial differences
Technology firms that fail to grasp the differences between PI and E&O insurance put themselves at risk, says David Legassick.
Ex-Ink boss Smith makes market return with new MGA
Former Ink Insurance managing director Mike Smith has made a market return with newly formed MGA Incorporated Insurance Group.
Start-up boss aims to counter negative consumer view of large insurers
The CEO of a new online start-up believes that the appetite for insurers to diversify their books could trigger growth in social media-derived cover.
FSA approval time hits record high
The Financial Services Authority's deeper scrutiny of new business plans means that start-ups face record waiting times for regulatory approval, according to City law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.
Motor start-up Purely Insurance scrapped after capacity walks away
A new motor underwriting start-up, fronted by a duo of former HSBC Insurance UK executives, has been scrapped, Postonline can reveal.
Former HSBC Insurance duo poised for £50m drive with motor start-up
A new motor start-up, fronted by a duo of former HSBC Insurance UK executives, has been tipped to make a major play for the broker market in the second half of the year, underwriting up to £50m of business by the beginning of 2013.
Tempo directors eye capacity providers and team hires following launch
The directors behind the launch of multi-line MGA – Tempo Underwriting – are hoping to forge a strong relationship with the broking fraternity after outlining their criteria for imminent team hires.
Ex-Hiscox boss' start-up Aurum prepares full UK roll-out
Aurum Underwriting has commenced trading with several brokers in advance of a full UK roll-out in the fourth quarter of 2012.
View from the top: New syndicates essential if Lloyd’s market is to thrive
As Lloyd’s tackles the thorny issue of distribution, perhaps a fundamental issue is that it must encourage the market to continue to rejuvenate by enabling the creation of new syndicates.