#21
THB Group
2013: 25
Chief executive: Frank Murphy
Brokerage: £60.9m
Management
Frank Murphy has been Lloyd’s broker THB Group’s chief executive since 1 May 2009 after he took over from retiring THB founder Vic Thompson.
Strategy
US wholesale broking powerhouse AmWINS bought THB and delisted the broker from the stock exchange in January 2012.
THB appears to be thriving in its new home: brokerage was up 13% in 2013, helping to push the broker up four places in the Top 50 Brokers ranking.
THB has three divisions: Lloyd’s broker Thompson Heath & Bond, THB UK and THB International Holdings. It owns an underwriting agency called Unicorn Underwriting.
#22
Endsleigh Insurance Services
2013: 23
Managing director: Tim Holliday
Brokerage: £58.9m
Management
Zurich-owned personal lines broker Endsleigh has been run by Zurich UK personal lines managing director Tim Holliday since 1 May this year. He replaced previous managing director Ian Passmore and also continues in his previous role.
Strategy
The change at the top was part of the efforts to bring Endsleigh and Zurich’s UK personal lines businesses closer together as Zurich continues to overhaul its personal lines unit.
As with many of its peers, the tough economic conditions have taken their toll on Endsleigh. Its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation fell 19.4% and its brokerage was down 1.1%.
#23
Price Forbes
2013: 29
Chief executive: Michael Donegan
Brokerage: £53.7m
Management
Chief executive Michael Donegan has overseen another successful year at Price Forbes, as the Lloyd’s broker climbs six places to 23rd from 29th place in 2013. The most recent figures from the broker reveal a 19% increase in brokerage to £53.7m from £43.1m. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation has followed this trend, climbing almost 67% to £10.3m.
Strategy
The independent broker employs more than 250 staff operating out of its offices in London, Bermuda and South Africa.
Established in 1893, it covers sectors including cargo, terrorism, construction, mining, fine art and energy as well as marine insurance and reinsurance.
#24
Adrian Flux
2013: 27
Chief executive: Gerry Bucke
Brokerage: £51.8m
Management
The specialist motor and classic car broker was founded by Adrian Flux in 1974 and continues to be a success story in a highly competitive market. The broker has sustained its climb up the ratings this year, boosted by a 9.8% increase in brokerage to £51.8m from £47.1m for 2013.
Strategy
Adrian Flux was set up as a result of its founder struggling to obtain motor insurance due to his disability. Since then the broker has positioned itself firmly in the niche motor market. It has also started to offer household and other insurance products in recent years, but still keeps niche private motor at the heart of its operations.
#25
Tyser & Co
2013: 31
Chief executive: Chris Elliott
Brokerage: £43.8m
Management
Overseen by chief executive and life-long employee Chris Elliott, Tysers has continued its recent growth with an 8% increase in brokerage over the past year.
Latest figures reveal that the independent Lloyd’s outfit brokered £43.8m for the year to December 2013, up from £40.5m for the previous 12 months.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation grew slightly to £9.1m, a 0.2% increase.
Strategy
The international broker continues to grow its overseas offerings with major hires for its international marine business across Latin America and the UK. Outside of marine insurance, Tysers also covers aviation, construction and international property and casualty risks.
#26
United Insurance Brokers
2013: 30
Chief executive: Bassem Kabban
Brokerage: £43.8m
Management
UIB Holdings is headed by chairman and chief executive Bassem Kabban. He is supported by Philip Tuite Dalton, chief executive of the group’s Lloyd’s broker United Insurance Brokers Ltd, and international operations director Tony Dilley.
Strategy
UIB was founded in 1987 following a management buy-out from Marsh. The company prides itself on its global reach and has a physical presence in 20 countries, but says it is able to serve 85. It operates in a variety of business lines, including aviation and construction, and also has a UK division.
#27
BMS Group
2013: N/A (BMS associates = 22)
Chief executive: Nick Cook
Brokerage: £43.1m
Management
BMS Group’s parent company, the newly named Minova, is run by former Brit chief executive Dane Douetil.
BMS Group has been treated as a new entry following a restructure, which means its figures are not comparable with last year’s entry for BMS Associates, (ranked 22nd).
BMS Group, the group’s broking division, is run by Nick Cook, who joined the company from rival London market broker Glencairn in 2010. The group’s underwriting agency
Pioneer is helmed by Darren Doherty and chaired by one-time Lloyd’s chairman Max Taylor.
Strategy
BMS received a £30m capital injection from private equity house Capital Z in June, which it aims to use to hire teams and individuals and make acquisitions. BMS sees itself as an alternative to the big three brokers in wholesale insurance and reinsurance.
#28
RFIB Group
2013: 26
Chief executive: Jonathan Turnbull
Brokerage: £41.4m
Management
Jonathan Turnbull took over as chief executive of RFIB in October 2011 following the sudden departure of his predecessor Marshall King.
He is supported by finance director Nick Moss and group broking director Stephen Hirst.
The group is chaired by former KPMG general insurance head Mark Winlow.
Strategy
Like many Lloyd’s brokers, much of RFIB’s activity takes place overseas and the company has a particular focus on emerging and developing insurance markets.
It has overseas offices in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Russia and Saudi Arabia. The company also has interests closer to home and recently launched insolvency cover for FCA regulated brokers.
#29
The A&A Group
2013: 32
Group chief executive: Tony Allen
Brokerage: £39.9m
Management
The UK arm of the company is led by group chief executive Tony Allen following the departure of UK boss Martin Oliver in May.
The broker moved up three spots to 29 in this year’s ranking.
Strategy
The company employs more than 400 staff in Hampton Hill, Cwmbran and Aldridge and continues to focus on providing non-standard cover in the high premium sector of the UK motor insurance market.
The group sold its French subsidiary, Autofirst SA, to French broker Assu 2000.
#30
Autonet Insurance
2013: New entry
Managing director: Ian Donaldson
Brokerage: £33.3m
Management
Autonet Insurance breaks into the Top 50 this year in 30th place after reporting brokerage growth of 15% in its latest financial statements. Managing director Ian Donaldson oversaw brokerage of £33.3m for 2013 to help cement its place in the listings.
Strategy
The specialist van broker has continued its expansion in the market by targeting SMEs with its new tradesmen’s policy underwritten by AXA. In addition to van cover, Autonet also provides cover for commercial and private motor as well as business and household policies.
In 2010 the broker also launched a van insurance price comparison site for website Moneysupermarket.com.
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