Blogs
PB Week: never underestimate the value of relationships
Last week ended on a high with a trip to France for the Allianz south east region Golf Classic, writes Paul Samways. Whilst the golf course was superb, for me it was all about seeing old friends and meeting new ones and it served as a stark reminder of the change in landscape with Dave Hare (Venture Preference), Kevin Young (Jelf) and Jeff Laidler (Giles).
PB Week: Brit gooner dines out
The past week has been all about numbers, mainly how many calories consumed and how many units of alcohol (21 of course, as always!), writes guest blogger Simon Cooter.
PB Week: Football can save us from the economy
As we hear about gloomy news from our nation’s economists and layoffs galore in the insurance sector courtesy of Norwich Union and Zurich, we are probably all glad we have the distraction of the European Championships, or maybe not, as our home nations are no-where to be seen, blogs Andrew Tjaardstra, editor, Professional Broking.
PB Week: Elliot Lane describes his last seven days in broking
I started the week still reeling from the news Patrick ‘The General’ Snowball had decided to move his tank from the Towergate lawns. It dawned on me that left Sandy Scott, CII chief executive, one of the highest ranking ex-servicemen in the insurance industry writes Elliot Lane, head of media relations at the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Another Hollywood sequel as directors ensure payday
Has it really been a week already? That went quicker than the spaceship in the latest Indiana Jones, writes Andrew Tjaardstra, editor, Professional Broking.
PB Week; Commission disclosure on the agenda in Parliament
The week started off with Brit holding its first editor’s dinner on Monday night – although the conversation occurred under Chatham House rules I can confirm the food, company and debate were of the highest quality writes Andrew Tjaardstra, editor of Professional Broking.
PB Week: Football, holiday and an earthquake
The climax to the Premiership proved a nail-biting affair for many. As an Everton fan (who comes from Twickenham - you don't choose them, they choose you), I managed to attend the Newcastle game at an extremely warm Goodison Park, writes Andrew Tjaardstra, editor of Professional Broking.
PB Week: Stirling Castle, Scottish dancing and Sir Bob Geldof
Last week's blog came from the thick of the action at the BIBA conference. On the Thursday night of the conference, I was whisked off to Stirling Castle for some Scottish dancing and haggis with brokers, journalists and the top team at Groupama, writes Andrew Tjaardstra, editor of Professional Broking.
Sore heads, but BIBA is a hit
Welcome to the latest edition of PB Week live from the British Insurance Brokers’ Association in Glasgow where all the industry movers and shakers are recovering from their late night antics out in Glasgow’s finest restaurants and bars, writes Andrew Tjaardstra, editor of Professional Broking.
RBSI rumours continue
Market gossip about the sale of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s insurance brands has reared its head again for what must be the millionth time in the past two years. Except this time it’s a bit different, writes Charlie Thomas, reporter, Professional Broking.
RBSI rumours continue
Market gossip about the sale of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s insurance brands has reared its head again for what must be the millionth time in the past two years. Except this time it’s a bit different, writes Charlie Thomas, reporter, Professional Broking.
All change at Axa
Blimey. Senior management changes are like buses at Axa. There are none for ages and then two come along at once. First, Peter Hubbard suddenly announces he is leaving Axa to “pursue other interests”, then Mark Cliff, markets managing director, declares he’s off to join Fortis in a new role as managing director writes Charlie Thomas, reporter, Professional Broking.
PB Week: Acquisition, acquisition, acquisition
This week saw a spate of acquisitions in the industry before the changes in Capital Gains Tax on 6 April, writes Andrew Tjaardstra, editor of Professional Broking. Although it is becoming increasingly hard to keep up with each deal - the following is an attempt to list all of them:
Jelf is ‘consolidator of the week’
In the fast moving world of broker acquisitions Jelf has so far won the ‘battle’ for the title of consolidator of the week by announcing the acquisitions of Worthing-based Argyll and Malvern-based Clarke Roxburgh writes Andrew Tjaardstra, editor of Professional Broking. Jelf has shelled out an initial consideration of £18.3m for £45m gross written premium broker Clarke Roxburgh which could rise to a total of £27m if all targets are met. Argyll cost an initial payment of £9.9m for around £21m of GWP.
Spring leaves insurance employees all touchy-feely
The weather may have been awful over the Easter weekend, but that’s not stopped the PR machines at various insurance companies from rolling out some emotional, fluffy press releases this week, writes Charlie Thomas, reporter, Professional Broking.
PB Week: Putting high net worth cars in the hands of an amateur
It was a case of life in the fast lane for Professional Broking’s reporter Charlie Thomas this week, as she sped around Bedford Aerodrome in (among others) a Porsche 911 JP3, Jaguar XKR and a Renault Clio Cup car.
Allianz boss: “Reserve release holiday coming to an end”
I assume Andrew Torrance is not an Everton or Tottenham fan (both teams crashed out of the UEFA cup following penalty shoot-outs last night) as he was in a very good mood this morning (Thursday 13 March), writes Charlie Thomas, reporter, Professional Broking in the latest PB Week. While this week Dane Douetil, chief executive of Brit, was hit by talk of potential sub-prime losses following the announcement of his results (despite a rise in pre-tax profits to £191m), and Barry Smith chief executive of Fortis revealed profits had been hit by £62.7m following the floods compared to 2006, Torrance heralded a "pleasing" set of results from Allianz in 2007 - although he was coy about his firm's reserve releases.
Private equity piles into broking
The amounts being spent and raised by insurers and brokers on acquisitions hit mind boggling proportions this week after Chris Giles, chief executive of Giles Insurance Brokers, revealed he has been given access to around £500m to grow his business.
No, the earth didn’t move for me
With reports that the earthquake which struck the UK in the early hours of Wednesday morning will cost insurers at least £10m, Charlie Thomas asks: “Did anyone else miss the big shake?”
Spring sales start early for Ecclesiastical and R&SA
Our noses have been well and truly on the grindstone this week, writes Charlie Thomas. Not only is the editorial team being made to work extra hard because of February being a short month (though the extra day thanks to 2008 being a leap year helps), but also there hasn't been a single party this week to let off some steam.
Am I getting old or just intolerant? Peter Staddon slams (certain) cyclists in our latest PB Week
What is it with cyclists in London today? Hang on, let me modify that statement before I get mauled by the cycling lobby. What is it with certain cyclists in London today? I live and work in London and have noticed over a number of years that the rules of the road appear to have become blurred when it comes to pedal power.
Broker acquisitions, a trip to Wembley and a party - another week at PB
It was another fast moving week for the PB editorial team - here are the highlights!
3i backs Alway as Blackham and Meehan depart VP
It was a shock to see Paul Meehan and Chris Blackham depart so suddenly from Venture Preference this week, writes Andrew Tjaardstra, editor of Professional Broking.
THB/PWS saga has happy ending as PB rounds up the last week
It has been rather difficult to ascertain the biggest story of the last seven days, writes Charlie Thomas, reporter at Professional Broking in our latest PB Week. First, the London Stock Exchange and FTSE 100 have performed a fine impression of a yo-yo in recent days with the threat of a US recession.
Hello and welcome to the latest instalment of PB's new weblog, PB Week.
Each week we'll highlight the items that have caught our discerning eye to bring you the latest in city parties, office gossip and market rumours. This week Charlie Thomas, reporter at Professional Broking, keeps you up-to-date.
A new year, a new look for PB, a new website and a new blog - PB Week.
Apologies for the self-promotion but with months of planning and preparation involved the relaunch of PB is obviously a major event for us and we hope you not only like it, but find the content more relevant than ever.
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