Market conditions are ripe for a direct underwriter to storm the SME market, according to Ernst & Young.

E&Y financial services partner Michael Tripp said premiums in the past 12 months have been steady and the cost of doing business in the broker channel remains high.

Tripp will present E&Y's new SME research exclusively at the Insurance Times management briefing "Making Money from SMEs" in Birmingham on 10 March. See

www.insurancetimes. co.uk/events/SMEs for details.

The 2025 Insurance Times Awards took place on the evening of Wednesday 3rd December in the iconic Great Room of London’s Grosvenor House.

Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
Many congratulations to all the worthy winners and as always, huge thanks to our sponsors for their support and our judges for their expertise.