All Features articles – Page 23
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FeaturesWe felt squeezed. There had to be another way
And for Stuart Randall, a broker with 35 years in the industry, the other way was Brokerbility. Almost three years after he set up the group, it is rapidly approaching his target of £500m GWP. Danny Walkinshaw finds out more.
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FeaturesCrisis, what crisis?
The approaching recession holds no fears for David Sweeney, high net worth specialist at Sterling Insurance. He tells Lauren MacGillivray that he’s pushing ahead with his target of £100m premium by 2010.
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FeaturesCan networks take on the giants?
Broker networks are ‘this year’s must have’, according to one senior executive. But they are still little guys compared to the Goliaths of the insurance industry who are determined to slash their commissions. Michael Faulkner asks who will win this battle and, over the next eight pages, we investigate the ...
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FeaturesThe players
Networks and alliances have grown in number and in membership over the past year, which means the competition between them is tougher than ever. David Parsley explores some of the names – and the rivalries – in this market.
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FeaturesThe tough talker
Love him or loathe him, Grant Ellis’s pronouncements on the business – and his rivals – keep the market on its toes. He shared his strong views with Lauren MacGillivray.
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FeaturesGoodbye to all that
Bonus season in the City usually means parties, Bentleys and a bonanza for the insurers and brokers that serve rich bankers and traders. Not this time. Mark Skinsley reports.
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FeaturesProphets and loss
‘Bank robbers’ was how the Archbishop of York described City traders last month. But the relationship between finance and faith is more complicated than that – not least because the Church of England has £5.5bn in funds. Insurance Times explores how religions intersect with the industry. Illustration by Thomas Barwick.
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Features
Border skirmish
The battle between the Scottish government and insurers over pleural plaques is getting serious – and it could have ramifications on both sides of the border. But Fergus Ewing, the SNP minister, is not about to budge, he tells Lauren MacGillivray.
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Features
Forum: Five questions for FSA director Paul Sharma
On the eve of our Commercial Lines Forum, here’s another chance to read the views of Paul Sharma, one of the speakers.
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FeaturesYour learned friends need you
The British Insurance Law Association is packed with legal boffins but, to make a difference in the industry, it wants the street smarts of brokers, underwriters and loss adjusters. Katie Puckett met its chairman, Julian Burling, to find out more.
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FeaturesHungry for risk
Getting into the property sector might seem ill advised at the moment but Bernard Mageean, managing director of QBE’s property division, is on a drive to boost the business to £200m. He explains why to Ellen Bennett.
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FeaturesThe party's over
The conference season has come to an end but the financial crisis that dominated the Labour and Tory gatherings continues to grab the headlines. Insurance Times explores the policies and debates that will affect your business.
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FeaturesReady for anything
Chris Hanks has been in the industry for 40 years, but his enthusiasm hasn’t dimmed one bit. Even now, he’s smacking his lips over prospects in a difficult market and e-trading. Lauren MacGillivray asked him about the future – and why he’s like Madonna.
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FeaturesGet the tools for the job
Technology can transform the way you do business, but only if you pick the right software. Katie Puckett asked IT experts which tools insurance companies can’t function without.
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Features
Lead the way
Without engineers – and the insurers who cover their work – there would be no bridges, airports or tunnels. Lauren MacGillivray went to the 2008 conference of the International Association of Engineering Insurers to find out more.
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FeaturesWho won in the wet?
200 industry professionals lined up for the endurance event. Then the rain began to fall ...
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FeaturesFriend or foe
Imarket, the web trading platform set up by insurers, is growing in popularity among brokers. But it’s not the only show in town and some of the software houses it works with could become its biggest rivals. Lauren MacGillivray finds out more.
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FeaturesGet out of town
Commercial property used to be a strictly London W1 operation. Not any more. Mark Skinsley finds out why developers are leaving the big smoke and how regional brokers can benefit.
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Features
Regional market spotlight: Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
After three decades of violence and some stop-starts on the road to self-government, the Northern Irish economy has new confidence. Insurers have returned to the market – and they’re competing hard.
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Features
The outer limits
Who insures fire jugglers? Or wine tasters, or surgically enhanced erotic dancers? Chris Wheal delves into the far reaches of commercial lines.