Insight
Coversure opens tenth office in a year
The Coversure network, part of the Jensten Group, has launched an office in Canary Wharf, London, its tenth opening this financial year.
Broking Success: Cass Stephens MD James Cass
Cass Stephens managing director James Cass explains how the broker is targeting the specialist care and park home sectors for growth as the business celebrates its 60th anniversary, and highlights the importance of cyber insurance for SMEs.
Ecclesiastical takes Levens from Allianz
Ecclesiastical Insurance has named Andy Levens as northern regional underwriting manager joining from Allianz and succeeding Andy Pearce.
Fitch neutral on UK insurers for 2026 but echoes motor losses warning
Fitch’s sector outlook for the UK non-life company market in 2026 is neutral, unchanged from 2025.
IPT receipts to hit record-high £9bn
Annual income from the Insurance Premium Tax in 2025/26 is set to break through last year’s record, coming just shy of £9bn, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Autumn Budget projections.
Interview: Meet the Biba drone scheme providers who want to double the business and crack the US market
With 80,000 UK policyholders and a renewed Biba scheme under their belts, Coverdrone leaders Phil and Andrew Heath are bullish about doubling the business over the next two years and have long-term international expansion plans.
People Moves: 19 – 23 January 2026
Follow the latest personnel moves in insurance.
‘Softening’ of language offers Zurich hope over Beazley deal, say analysts after latest bid rejection
The sixth time could be the charm and a Zurich takeover of Beazley is still possible, according to analysts at Jefferies who have put forward a potential top price of 1,408 pence per share.
CII insurance virtual work experience programme tops 2,300 participants
Over 2,300 students have engaged with an insurance virtual work experience programme since it was launched in October 2023, the Chartered Insurance Institute has revealed.
Hedron to support brokers on ‘talent crunch’
Hedron Network has launched Hedron People, a support framework to help independent brokers attract new talent, develop existing teams, and retain key staff.
Liiba lists 2026 agenda
The London and International Insurance Brokers’ Association has put accelerating growth in a softening market and reinforcing London’s position as the world’s leading specialty insurance centre at the heart of its agenda for 2026.
Marsh-owned MGU targets property owners business with new flexible product
Marsh-owned Victor Insurance UK has launched a flexible property owners product on its own digital platform and Acturis, bringing together three existing policies into one.
Acrisure completes UK broker rebrands
Acrisure has rebranded Russell Scanlan and WH&R McCartney, completing its programme of renaming its UK brokers.
Intact to increase access to underwriters with trading proposition roll-out
Intact Insurance has a newly launched broker proposition Intact Trading, designed to increase visibility of underwriters and create a relationships-led approach to UK regional business.
Defaqto spends £11m snapping up pricing business
Defaqto has bought Pearson Ham Group’s market pricing business for £11m.
Zurich trying to ‘bear hug’ Beazley, says investment advisory firm
“Zurich is clearly trying to ‘bear hug’ Beazley. They obviously think they are offering a price that is high enough for target shareholders to put pressure on the company to sell itself.”
Fund raising campaign for Insurance Museum launched
The Insurance Museum has launched a fundraising campaign to open a museum in London, EC3, in three years’ time dedicated to insurance.
Beazley board ‘not yet had the chance to consider’ £7.67bn Zurich takeover proposal
The board of Beazley has responded to Zurich’s bid confirming it has not had time to consider the improved offer having rejected a previous approach.
Zurich ups Beazley bid after offer rejected for ‘significantly undervaluing’ target
Zurich has submitted an improved proposal to the board of Beazley worth 1280 pence a share, valuing the insurer at £7.67bn.
Clear makes vet broker first deal of 2026
Clear Group has kicked off 2026 purchasing specialist veterinary insurance broker Shire Insurance Services, strengthening its UK retail pillar.
Amiga Specialty adds IGI and Lloyd’s capacity to ‘core strategic growth area’
Amiga Specialty has secured capacity for its UK and European Transactional Risks team, supported by IGI and Lloyd’s, in its second expansion of the month.
Uris enters Northern Ireland home insurance market
Midas, part of Uris Group, has expanded its Midas Jewel household product into Northern Ireland.
Ardonagh launches pan-European MGA
Ardonagh Europe has launched Dublin-headquartered Orvia Underwriting, a pan-European managing general agent.
Blog: Last year reaffirmed the importance of MGAs as the market turns to 2026
The past year tested global dealmakers with persistent economic, geopolitical and regulatory uncertainty, yet 2025 ultimately proved far more resilient than many expected, writes Jamie Richards, head of M&A at Ripe, a UK digital MGA.