Clear Group Analysis
-
News Analysis
Opinion: Soft market set to showcase true service standards
Although soft market conditions may make it easier to place risks thanks to confident capacity, challenges remain around broker income and getting clients to trust such fluctuating premium price points
-
News Analysis
The Big Question: How can insurance firms stay competitive and differentiate themselves in a soft market?
As softening market rates proliferate, Insurance Times quizzes industry experts on how firms can stay ahead of the pack amid premium price dips
-
News Analysis
Briefing: Soft market should steer commercial brokers towards growth and efficiency focused road maps
The insurance industry is often a weathervane for the UK economy – the government would be wise to listen to broker learnings from client conversations
-
IT Interview
Mike Edgeley: The Clear Group targets ‘a proper global proposition’ through European M&A
Group chief executive places Germany and the Netherlands in his crosshairs for buy and build expansion model that mimics ‘what we’ve done in the UK’
-
News Analysis
US and UK private equity targets Emerald Isle for M&A opportunities
‘The difference in Ireland is how domestic brokers have recognised the value to their clients of cross-border combinations,’ says broker’s M&A managing director
-
News Analysis
In Focus: Why are schemes brokers such attractive acquisition targets?
’A lot of schemes brokers have the ability to organically grow, probably beyond where normal market growth rates are,’ says managing director for schemes and affinities
-
News Analysis
The Big Question: Following M&A, how do leadership changes impact company culture and staff retention?
With M&A still a prominent feature of the insurance market, firms must take people considerations into account within these processes because senior staff exits post-acquisition can have organisational ramifications
-
News Analysis
Briefing: ‘Tis the season to be jolly?
Macroeconomic circumstances have buffeted the UK general insurance market in recent years – that trajectory looks set to continue as 2024 comes to a close and pressure points still pinch firms
-
News Analysis
Acquisitive brokers facing M&A supply shortages
As the supply of sizeable UK commercial brokerages is dramatically shrinking, acquisitors are being forced to seek targets overseas, or look at MGAs and wholesale brokers.
-
News Analysis
Opinion: ‘Industry’ versus ‘profession’ – are we selling ourselves short?
Editor Katie Scott digs into the differences between these two descriptors and explores which best defines insurance
-
News Analysis
In Focus: How can firms prevent their software from becoming legacy technology?
We asked: With rapid technological evolution, how can firms prevent their software platforms from becoming legacy tech in the medium-term while keeping pace with advancements?
-
News Analysis
Briefing: Are you being served?
The role of the broker should be ‘to absorb complexity and convey simplicity’ – but today’s disconnect between customers and the profession provides a broadening challenge to achieving this aim
-
News Analysis
Briefing: SMEs and the election – where’s the detail?
Political parties must take the needs and challenges of SMEs seriously if the UK economy is going to achieve its growth ambitions – especially as many of these firms cut protective insurance cover to reduce costs
-
News Analysis
The Big Question: What are the biggest challenges set to hit brokers in H2 2024?
Insurance Times asks experts about challenges brokers face and what can be done to mitigate evolving threats
-
News Analysis
Revealed: Who won at the Insurance Times Awards 2023?
With gold, silver and bronze awards across 36 categories, the winners from last night’s Insurance Times Awards have now been revealed.
-
IT Interview
Howard Lickens: Clear Group ‘deliberately fussy’ about M&A targets
’This will be by far the biggest year we’ve ever had and I’d expect that to accelerate,’ says executive chairman
-
News Analysis
In Focus: The emerging protection gaps concerning commercial brokers
’It is incumbent on us all to make sure we are having conversations with customers,’ says chief executive
-
IT Interview
Mike Edgeley: The Clear Group aims to create ‘more efficient and structured’ business over 18 months
The broker intends to keep its ‘very people orientated’ DNA, but will continue work on ‘rationalising our IT’ and delivering ‘growth ambitions’, says group chief executive
-
IT Interview
Mike Edgeley: The Clear Group has ‘very healthy’ M&A pipeline that is ‘sticking to knitting’ in UK market
However, the intermediary’s group chief executive reveals he ‘will be keeping a weather eye’ on M&A opportunities around MGAs and Ireland-based businesses too
-
News Analysis
Briefing: HNW insurers must work with brokers better to tackle ‘nightmare’ Range Rover cover conundrum
Following increased Range Rover thefts, HNW insurers have put the brakes on their risk appetite for policies covering these cars