Commercial
Aviva Syndicates to launch in September as Probitas name retired
Aviva has confirmed plans to rebrand its Lloyd’s business Probitas 1492 as ‘Aviva Syndicates’.
The stats: Commercial rates fall across the board in Q1 2026
Commercial lines premiums have continued to decline in the first quarter of 2026, with the value of the Acturis Commercial Broking Index dropping 3.6% compared to Q1 2025 – the largest negative movement since the inception of the index in 2010. Ida…
Zurich to canvas brokers on launching trade vertical solutions
Zurich is to set to ask its brokers about whether it should offer trade-based vertical solutions, as part of a massive research project being kicked off at the end of the month.
Insurers line-up to support licensed trade during World Cup
With Scotland having kicked off with a win over Haiti, and England’s men’s team set to start its tournament on Wednesday, insurers have lined-up to support licensed trade customers as the World Cup progresses.
PIB and Howden court case rolls on with hearing set for February 2027
The High Court case centred on PIB accusing Howden of poaching a double digit-strong team moved forward last week with a hearing date set for February next year.
Aviva builds out in contractors combined with digital launch
Aviva has launched a digitally traded contractors combined proposition, starting on Acturis with Fast Trade to follow, claiming it is plugging a gap in an underserved part of the market.
Zurich succeeds Accelerant in five-year £300m Jensten Underwriting capacity deal
Jensten Underwriting has signed a five-year deal for Zurich UK to become its ‘cornerstone capacity’ covering over £300m across property, casualty and motor.
Westfield Specialty launches UK and Europe liability portfolio
Westfield Specialty International has launched a UK and Europe liability portfolio to expand its casualty book, promising long-term and flexible partnerships with brokers.
Romero posts turnover growth and post-tax profit jump in Gallagher deal year
Romero Insurance Brokers grew profit after tax by £1.21m to £7.06m in the year it was bought by Gallagher as part of the AssuredPartners deal.
Atec owner reveals divisional growth in first results
Both broker Ceta and managing general agent Arkel grew by double digit amounts in the first year of being owned by private equity house Perwyn, a filing at Companies House has revealed.
Pen doubles limits to £10m to ‘maxmise relevance’ in SME cyber
Pen Underwriting is to double the SME cyber cover limit available to £10m for risks incepting on or after 1 July 2026.
Liberty opens new proposition for retail sector
Liberty Specialty Markets has launched a bespoke proposition for mid to upper-midsized retail companies, flagging it is available via dedicated hubs in Manchester, Bristol and Dublin, supported by its London head office.
Ex-network MD Derbyshire joins Konsileo
Former network boss Dawn Derbyshire has joined Konsileo as head of commercial strategy.
JMG expands with Langton and Portsoken
JMG Group has bought Langton London Insurance Brokers and managing general agent Portsoken, Insurance Age can reveal.
Hiscox highlights SMEs as it joins ChatGPT UK advert pilot
Hiscox UK has pointed to the changing “conversational” nature of insurance searches, including by SME owners, as it confirmed it is taking part in a pilot through agency partner Dentsu to explore advertising in ChatGPT.
Convex to launch UK MGA Kinetic in Q4
Specialty insurer Convex Group is planning to launch Kinetic Insurance Services, a wholly owned managing general agency that will start trading in Q4 2026.
CFC rolls out digital trading for startup tech scheme
CFC has promised UK brokers “fast, frictionless access” to complex commercial insurance for startup technology companies as the provider made its scheme available for digital trading on its Connect platform.
Sam Geddes named CEO of Santam Syndicate 1918
Santam Syndicate 1918, part of Africa’s largest non-life insurer Santam Group, has appointed Sam Geddes as CEO based in London.
MGA Flock to launch more products as Admiral deal finalised
Admiral Group has completed its acquisition of digital commercial fleet managing general agent Flock, following regulatory approval.
Axa trimmed UK COR as GWP and profit grew in 2025
Axa Insurance UK achieved a sub-100% combined operating ratio for 2025 with gross written premium up and profits rising, a filing at Companies House has revealed.
Roundtable: High noon in commercial combined’s ‘Wild West’
Brokers say falling premiums may look like easy pickings, but erratic insurer appetite and patchy service may mean a painful reckoning ahead.
Award-winning Bartlett boosts profit in 2025
Post-tax profit at Bartlett Group rose 81% to £2.39m in the year ended 30 September 2025, a filing at Companies House has revealed.
Commercial Express moving from Open GI to Acturis
Managing general agent Commercial Express is switching from Open GI to Acturis for its back-office operating system and product launches, Insurance Age can reveal.
Verlingue grows again in 2025, EBCam deal price revealed
Top 100 UK broker Verlingue Holdings grew profits and turnover in 2025, maintaining its long-running expansion streak.