Tag Archives: insurance

Howden appoints Account Director to accelerate growth in Wales

HOWDEN, the global insurance intermediary group, has appointed Tony Barber as Account Director as it continues to grow its presence in South Wales.

 

Tony will be based in Cardiff, covering Wales and its surrounding regions, and joins the team having previously worked as Account Director at Willis Towers Watson.

 

In his new role, Tony will help drive Howden’s positive growth in Wales by supporting larger and more complex clients, developing and implementing comprehensive risk management and insurance strategies.

 

Commenting on his appointment, Tony said: “I am thrilled to be joining Howden’s Cardiff office and to build on its already fantastic growth.

 

“I was drawn to Howden due to its employee ownership model as it cultivates a collaborative culture amongst colleagues to the benefit of clients, as well as its renowned entrepreneurial culture.

 

“I’m excited to join a new team and am looking forward to playing a part in shaping Howden’s strategy in South Wales.”

 

Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director at Howden, said: “Tony is yet another fantastic addition to our Cardiff team, and has already made an extraordinary impact in accelerating our growth and creating new ways in which we can support our clients.

 

“As we continue to grow our Howden team in Wales, I have every confidence that we will continue on our upwards trajectory and expand even further across south and west Wales.”

Insurance broker celebrates 30th anniversary with new HQ and staff after trebling client base

AN insurance broker is celebrating its 30th anniversary with continued growth and investment.

Credent Commercial Insurance experienced a post-pandemic boom which included a rise in turnover, recruitment and the opening of new headquarters in St Asaph.

Managing Director Niel Jones, from Hawarden, says the company has expanded its client base in the UK.

Formerly head of insurance for the sports and entertainment divisions of a global broking specialist, the dad-of-three, married to Linda, is focused on strengthening partnerships in Wales and beyond, with integrity and transparency at the core of his business ethos.

As he himself marks 25 years in the sector, Niel said: “We have grown in every way – our client base and the size of the team have trebled, and now we have a bigger office and more advanced technology – but we have done so organically.

“By being very client-focused and transparent in all our dealings, which this industry is not traditionally renowned for, we have retained our reputation while exploring new areas, something we plan to do more of in the years ahead.”

He added: “We have invested in our staff, creating capacity to grow while maintaining a high-quality level of service, remaining proactive with clients and taking them along on the journey so they are aware of the environment we operate in, and the challenges we face.

“That kind of honesty and clear communication mean they know exactly what the situation is, and how hard we are working to ensure they get the best outcome.”

Formerly Rhos Insurance, Credent is now the largest Welsh-owned independent insurance broker in North Wales and became a limited company in 1994, under the ownership of Gordan and Susan Crabb.

While the company represents organisations all over the world, Niel says these shores remain a top priority for their workforce, which includes new hires Lowri Davies, Izzy Hewitt and Greg Laurie.

“It is only in the last few years we have done much more nationally while focusing on this region, which as someone who grew up in North Wales is heartening,” he said.

“People still want that face-to-face interaction and a trusting relationship, a factor which has been undervalued. The pandemic had a lot to do with a reversal of that trend, we had probably not appreciated how important it was to deal with someone in person.”

Niel added: “We are three times the size we were when I bought the company in 2016, which on reflection is down to hard work and trying to do the right thing by clients.

“There is no big secret or magic formula, or even a long-term strategic plan; it’s good, old-fashioned support, advice and guidance, which customers need when they are in a difficult situation and concerned about a claim being settled fairly by insurers.

“Fundamentally, we give advice on risk and negotiate to secure the best result for clients, to get the most cost-effective results for them.”

And being on their doorstep is another USP, says Niel.

“It’s a cyclical market, with rates increasing – certainly since Brexit and Covid due to restriction on trade, delays, wage inflation and more – which all impacts on premiums, so it’s vital to understand who and what you’re dealing with,” he said.

“That’s when being independent and local is attractive to clients, we can respond and present risk having been on the ground and use our experience to resolve issues in person, rather than it being dealt with offshore by a multi-national organisation that never steps foot in the door.”

He added: “There is no one-size-fits-all solution, we tailor our services for the client, not for us, and by fostering a relationship know what makes them tick.

“The insurance sector lets itself down by concentrating on its contractual position rather than its moral position and I believe it’s our place to counter that.

“We are dealing with people, and we really believe in what we do – the results speak for themselves.”

Visit www.credentinsurance.co.uk and follow @credentinsure on social media for more on Credent Commercial Insurance.

Howden makes experienced appointment in south Wales as Welsh operation continues to grow

HOWDEN, the global insurance group, has welcomed Chris Harvey to its south Wales team in line with its continued growth.

Chris joins the team as commercial account executive, having previously worked in commercial insurance roles at Towergate and Jelf. Most recently, he was a director and shareholder at a Rhondda-based, rapidly expanding family-owned business.

In his new role, Chris will use his wealth of experience to assist commercial and corporate clients with all aspects of their insurances.

On his appointment, Chris said: “I am thrilled to have joined the Howden team in south Wales, at what is a very exciting time for the business’ Welsh presence. I was drawn to Howden due to its customer centricity.

“We are not restricted by having to place business with certain insurers, and every day is about going above and beyond to achieve the best result for our clients. Howden is very focused on looking after both its employees and clients, which is an important factor to me.

“My main goal is to help as many businesses in Wales as possible, with honest and friendly advice that makes their lives easier.”

Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director, said: “Chris is already an invaluable addition to our Welsh team, and has shown exceptional skill at this important time in our growth journey.

“Chris’ board-level experience within a fast-growing business puts him in a great position to help our clients, and we are delighted to have him on board as we continue to build a solid community in south and west Wales.”

London insurance market to benefit from Expleo-ACORD partnership

Expleo, is to provide testing assurance expertise to organisations preparing for Lloyd’s Blueprint Two London market modernisation, through a new partnership with ACORD Solutions Group.

As a member of ACORD’s Licensed Integrator Partner (LIP) programme Expleo will offer strategic assistance to the organisation’s global community in preparation for Blueprint Two – the modernisation programme set to make the London market better, faster and cheaper.

The engineering, technology and consulting services provider brings more than 50 years of experience in quality assurance to its work on this programme and will support dozens of London market participants as they prepare for market-wide modernisation.

Stephen Magennis, Global Head of BFSI, Expleo, said: “Blueprint Two is an ambitious change programme that will revolutionize the sector by harnessing technology to the benefit of more than 400 market participants, helping them face new risks with confidence.

“By joining ACORD Solutions Group’s LIP programme, Expleo is now well positioned at the heart of the London market to support the insurance eco-system with independent testing and assurance on a range of programmes including Blueprint Two.”

Expleo will now work with the LIP community in anticipation of the cutover to Blueprint Two, which is expected in October this year. This will be achieved by leveraging its test assurance capability to assist the community with the adoption of key enablers for Blueprint Two compatibility, including ACORD Global Reinsurance & Large Commercial Data Standards and workflow.

Expleo will also support global organisations in their implementation of a messaging gateway through ADEPT (ACORD Data Exchange Platform and Translator), ACORD Solutions Group’s platform for real-time data exchange, translation, and transformation.

Chris Newman, EVP and Global Managing Director, ACORD Solutions Group, said: The Licensed Integrator Partner community strengthens the interoperability of the insurance ecosystem through standardised digital data exchange. We are glad to welcome Expleo to the programme as the industry embraces greater connectivity through its digitalisation efforts.”

Howden grows Welsh team with key appointments

Howden, the global insurance intermediary group, has welcomed two new appointments to its recently established Swansea team.

Alan Jenkins joins as an Account Executive and will be responsible for delivering insurance solutions to businesses within the commercial sector, specifically those in the transportation and construction trades.

Alan joins with over 40 years’ experience in the industry, with a focus on commercial insurance. He joined the firm from Enterprise Insurance Services (Swansea).

On his appointment, Alan said: “I’m thrilled to have joined the Howden team in Swansea – it’s so exciting to be part of a new office and it’s a great challenge. I’m looking forward to managing client accounts and providing the best possible service within a great team.”

Howden has also welcomed Lucy Jamieson as Commercial Insurance Executive.

Lucy has joined the firm following 13 years at NFU Mutual and will focus on supporting hospitality, manufacturing, technology and construction firms with their commercial insurance needs.

Lucy said: “I’m delighted to join Howden at such a pivotal moment of growth and innovation. My enthusiasm for supporting companies through transformative growth journeys aligns perfectly with Howden’s commitment to provide tailored insurance solutions that empower businesses to thrive. I’m eager to make a significant impact as we embark on this exciting chapter, and I look forward to the collective achievements that lie ahead.”

Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director, added: “As we continue to grow our presence in South and West Wales, having a great team is of paramount importance. Alan and Lucy are a great addition to the team in Swansea; with over 50 years’ experience between them, they are sure to be an asset to our ever-growing client base. We are excited to have them on board as we expand our operations in the new Swansea office.”

About Howden

Howden is a leading global insurance intermediary group with employee ownership at its heart.  Founded in 1994, it operates in 50 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, employing 16,000 people and handling $38bn of premium on behalf of clients.

 

For more information, please visit www.howdengroupholdings.com

Insurance group Howden expands presence in Wales with new Swansea office

Howden, the international insurance group, has announced the opening of a new office in Swansea.

This strategic expansion is part of Howden UK & Ireland’s commitment to further strengthen its foothold in the South and West Wales region, providing risk advisory services to businesses.

The new office is located at Axis Court, Riverside Business Park, Swansea. Under the leadership of Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director, who has over four decades of industry experience, the Swansea office aims to become the leading competitor in the commercial broking sector in South and West Wales.

Stevens, previously of Aston Lark, which was acquired by the Howden Group in 2022, has outlined ambitious goals for the office, including doubling the size of the team by the beginning of 2025, reflecting the company’s dedication to employing the best talent and fostering a dynamic team culture.

“I am thrilled to lead the team in Swansea as we work towards becoming the primary choice for risk advisory services in South and West Wales,” said Gary Stevens.

“Howden continues to be a driving force in the insurance industry and our goal is not just to be a significant player within Howden, but also to be the go-to partner for Welsh-based companies seeking high-quality risk advice.”

The investment in the Swansea office underscores the importance of South Wales to Howden UK & Ireland’s overall business strategy, with a second office in the region set to open this spring.

Stevens also emphasises the importance of having a collaborative and enjoyable work environment, stating: “We aim to have fun while delivering exceptional service to our clients. We’re building a team of highly skilled brokers with expertise in various sectors, including transportation, construction, charity, care, professions, sports and leisure, and waste/recycling.”

In July 2023, it was announced that Howden would become a Principal Partner of The British & Irish Lions for the next four years and the official front of jersey sponsor for the upcoming 2025 Lions Tour to Australia. This partnership support extends to a community level via the Lions Origin Clubs, with the Wales office supporting local teams across the region.

About Howden:

Howden is the 5th largest employee-owned business in the UK, and one of the largest insurance groups in the world, with $35bn premium under management and 1.7 million clients served by 15,000 employees.

Howden is made up of talented experts with the freedom and support to do what we do best. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and we collaborate to create a powerful international team that can rise to any challenge. Together, we are working to change the insurance narrative – supporting our clients while using insurance as a tool to increase resilience for individuals, businesses, and communities. www.howdenbroking.com

ERS steers candidates toward an exciting career path through its Claims Apprenticeship Programme

ERS, the UK’s specialist motor insurer, is setting a new course in South Wales with the introduction of the ERS Claims Apprenticeship Programme as a vital element of its current hiring push to fill over 50 positions at its Swansea office.

The programme opens doors to diverse opportunities within the insurance sector, including areas like broking, underwriting, and claims operations, laying the foundations for versatile and fulfilling career options.

This groundbreaking initiative not only offers a roadmap to an exciting and potentially lucrative career journey but also provides access to apprenticeships that are traditionally scarce in the region, often only available in London.

In a region where such opportunities have been rare, ERS’s Claims Apprenticeship Programme enables candidates to earn while they learn, providing a competitive salary while working toward a recognised and highly sought-after qualification.

The ERS Apprenticeship Programme is focused on nurturing the next generation of insurance professionals. As part of the programme, individuals work as Claims Handlers, playing a vital role in providing support and guidance to customers during the claims process. The company has stated that this role is not just a job; it’s the beginning of a rewarding career journey.

ERS is looking for candidates from diverse backgrounds and age ranges. It is interested in speaking to recent school or university graduates, as well as those seeking a career change – particularly those with a passion for excellent customer service and an eagerness to develop a career in insurance. The apprenticeships are based at ERS’s Swansea Vale office and offer a hybrid work model, combining office collaboration and remote work.

The programme offers candidates a competitive salary while also gaining valuable real-world experience in the dynamic insurance industry. This means that, unlike many traditional learning pathways, the apprenticeships allow participants to start their career journey with a solid financial footing.

In addition to the financial benefits, the programme fast-tracks apprentices on the path to a recognised qualification. It provides a structured and comprehensive approach to professional development, ensuring that apprentices are well-prepared to meet the industry’s demands and challenges.

Kian Hearn, Claims Apprentice at ERS, said:

“As a young person, I didn’t think apprenticeships were available in insurance and finance, and university didn’t seem like the right fit for me. But here I can earn good money, learn on the job and get a qualification at the same time, all while working in a friendly, welcoming environment.”

 

Martin Hall, Active Underwriter at ERS, said:

“At ERS, we understand the importance of creating meaningful career opportunities in South Wales. Our Claims Apprenticeship Programme is designed to empower individuals with the skills, knowledge, and qualifications they need to thrive in the insurance industry. It’s a unique opportunity for anyone seeking a career in insurance, whether they are starting out or making a career change.”

 

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply via the dedicated careers page on the ERS website.

South Wales job market set for injection thanks to ERS

With its business thriving, ERS, the specialist motor insurer, is making substantial investments in its Swansea headquarters. The company is set to fill 50 job vacancies in the coming months as part of a strategic initiative to support its continued growth and solidify its position as a prominent employer in the area.

The company already employs close to 500 people at its 33,000 sq ft site at Crucible Park, Swansea Vale, which it first moved to in 2015. That move was prompted by the London-based company taking a strategic decision to bolster its Swansea hub, originally set up in 1994, subsequently relocating many skilled roles to Swansea from London.

Since then, the company has grown steadily, as has its workforce in Wales. Now, the company has launched a renewed campaign to put it on the map as an employer of choice in the region, able to offer careers and continuing professional development in many skilled and technical roles previously seldom found within financial services in South Wales.

Some of its skilled roles span underwriting, claims, project managers, business analysts, and system testers as well as in niche specialisms such as technical IT, counter fraud, personal injury, risk, governance, and compliance. Within the insurance sector, many of these positions have traditionally only been available in London.

The company’s commitment to Swansea has been warmly welcomed, especially in light of other large employers operating call centres scaling down their operations in the area in recent years.

Operating through a nationwide network of insurance brokers and backed by Lloyd’s Syndicate 218, ERS provides coverage for a wide range of vehicles, including supercars, sports figures and celebrities, private cars, classic cars, vans, taxis, minibuses, fleets, agricultural vehicles, and special commercial vehicles, as well as motor breakdown protection. It will cover everything from combine harvesters to supercars through to unique events like the Gumball 3000 Rally.

Martin Hall, Active Underwriter at ERS, said:

“We have a long-term commitment to South Wales and are thrilled to be contributing to the local economy with this new recruitment drive. At ERS, we believe in nurturing local talent and providing career development opportunities to individuals of all ages. We encourage anyone interested in joining our dynamic team to explore the available positions and apprenticeship opportunities.”

ERS – the UK’s leading specialist motor insurer – has announced a major recruitment drive at its Swansea Vale office

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply via the dedicated careers page on the ERS website.

SentinelOne launches WatchTower Vital Signs Report for cyber insurers’ risk management

“Inside-Out” risk report brings visibility into organisations’ telemetry, identifying cyber threat exposure & helping lower cyber insurance premiums

SentinelOne, an autonomous cybersecurity platform company, has announced the WatchTower Vital Signs Report app in the Singularity Marketplace. For organisations, this new reporting capability communicates an accurate profile of cyber security posture and controls to cyber insurers, streamlining the process of obtaining cyber insurance coverage. For cyber insurers, the app provides a real-time “inside-out” view of an enterprise’s cyber security health for improved policy accessibility and reduced underwriting risk.

“The state of today’s threat landscape is pushing the cyber insurance industry to its breaking point,” said Barnaby Page, VP Incident Response & Cyber Risk, SentinelOne. “Underwriting risks have become too much for insurers to stomach while rising premiums are causing enterprises to struggle in procuring cyber insurance. The industry needs better means to gauge and demonstrate exposure to cyber threats, and we are happy to collaborate with leading risk vendors to enable the WatchTower Vital Signs Report.”

The growing number of costly data breaches, ransomware, and cyber incidents resulted in claim pay out losses for insurers rising 300% from 2018 to 2021. Consequently, in Q2 2022, U.S. cyber insurance prices increased 79% YoY. Between reduced carrier appetite for underwriting risk and ascending premiums, many organisations are finding it difficult to obtain coverage, regardless of security posture.

Historically, underwriters and brokers have defined organisational risk exposure using external scans, which don’t validate against cyber incidents or security controls effectiveness. SentinelOne’s WatchTower Vital Signs Report is based on an organisation’s internal risk posture and data – capturing signals that are dynamically changing and providing deep context into risk exposure.

Leveraging Ranger Active Directory, Singularity XDR’s real-time identity attack surface module, the new reporting offering assesses susceptibility to cyber threats, including unknown assets and identity exposures – two of the leading vectors for today’s security incidents. This enables cyber insurers and brokers to gain unparalleled insights for their underwriting and risk management remits – lowering loss ratios with accurate risk pricing while increasing cyber insurance eligibility, premium discounts, and favourable coverage terms for organisations obtaining and renewing policies. In addition, businesses at risk of attack are provided with actionable, real-time insights to improve cyber resiliency.

“Coalition is committed to helping organisations of all sizes and industries secure cost-effective and comprehensive cyber insurance policies. SentinelOne’s WatchTower Vital Signs Report is a much-needed step in creating a common language for organisations and insurers and encouraging transparency. Together with SentinelOne, we help organisations build resilient and multi-layered cyber security programmes that prevent digital risk before it strikes.” – Michael Carr, Head of Risk Engineering, North America, Coalition.

“Corvus is pleased to partner with SentinelOne in using the WatchTower Vital Signs Report. With increased attention paid to the report’s key cyber risk indicators, Corvus can further educate and support our policyholders in understanding their unique risks and remediation tactics. We’re thrilled that through our partnership, Corvus can be at the forefront of this important transformation in the cyber insurance market, creating even more value for our policyholders.” – Madhu Tadikonda, CEO, Corvus Insurance.

“Cowbell applauds SentinelOne for taking this giant step that benefits both SentinelOne customers and Cowbell policyholders. In collaboration with SentinelOne as a WatchTower Vital Signs Report founding partner, we are expecting to increase the efficacy of our risk pool that is continuously monitoring over 90% of U.S. SMEs for their cyber posture. This cyber security and cyber insurance partnership is aimed to help SMEs build resiliency across the complete cyber risk lifecycle.” – Jack Kudale, CEO, Cowbell Cyber.

Almost two-thirds of Drivers won;t go electric until they ‘Absolutely have to’

As the cost-of-living rockets, price comparison experts Quotezone.co.uk asked consumers how they really feel about electric versus fossil fuel cars (petrol/diesel) and which they found most cost effective.

The new survey reveals that 59.3% of petrol/diesel drivers will only consider buying an electric or hybrid vehicle ‘when I absolutely have to’.  26.2% said they would buy ‘within the next 5 years’, 10.3% said they would ‘buy now / as soon as is feasibly possible’ and only 4.3% said they’d buy ‘just before the deadline’ – 2030, when the government plan on banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.

The research also found that the main barrier that is stopping people from buying an electric car is the price, with 35.7% of drivers saying they are too expensive, followed by 20% of people who said range anxiety was a major concern, while worries about the availability of public charging points were cited as an issue by 19.3% of respondents.

Interestingly though, 57.8% of those with electric cars said they were saving over £100 per month compared to their previous fossil fuel vehicle – with 36.6% saving under £100 per month.  Only 5.6% didn’t believe they were making savings.

When electric vehicle owners were asked what they didn’t like about their cars, 24.8% said there weren’t enough readily available charging points, followed by range anxiety (20%), broken charging points (19%) and rising energy costs (18%).

The data, compiled by Quotezone.co.uk, was taken from a survey of 500 electric and petrol / diesel car insurance policyholders, completed in August 2022.

Quotezone.co.uk’s Founder, Greg Wilson, comments: “It’s really interesting to see what’s holding people back from going electric and again, lack of infrastructure and car price, appear to be the top offenders that are making it impractical for many to make the switch.

“The hike in car prices is most likely due to the new car shortage, brought about by lack of materials and logistical issues across Europe, causing a spike in shoppers choosing ‘nearly new’ second-hand petrol cars.

“One positive point to bear in mind for those worried about costs is that electric car insurance is now more readily available as the majority of insurance providers have added electric cars to their offering – making it easier for consumers to shop around and get a competitive premium.”

Currently only 2% of cars are hybrid and 3% are electric in the UK.  Data from Quotezone.co.uk shows a small increase in customers with electric or hybrid cars of 0.2% from June 2021 compared to June 2022 – with the average cost of those electric vehicles increasing by £5k from £34,000 to £39,000.  The government has been increasing investment in charging points, including grants for motorists, as well as tax relief to help make electric vehicles more affordable.

Quotezone.co.uk helps around 3 million users every year, with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products including electric car insurance, Tesla car insurance and standard car insurance. Quotezone.co.uk is recommended by 97% of reviewers on Reviews.co.uk.