Insight
Aviva enhances mid-market motor trade and property owners
Aviva has made enhancements to its regionally traded mid-market motor trade and property owners products.
MGA confirms Hadron primary capacity deal
Elevate Specialty has today confirmed its new primary carrier capacity partnership with Hadron UK Insurance, supporting a range of specialty insurance products.
Intact joins Gracechurch’s SQM hall of fame
Gracechurch has awarded regional Service Quality Marques to six insurers, with Intact joining the roster, while Allianz was the only provider to secure recognition for both underwriting and claims.
Survey: Rebuilding trust in commercial combined
Commercial combined etrade was meant to simplify placement. Instead, brokers say rigid systems, slow referrals and automated declines are making one of the market’s most important products harder to trade. Martin Friel reports
MGAA outlines 2026 priorities to strengthen MGAs voices to brokers
The Managing General Agents’ Association plans to focus on expanding member value, enhancing its technical training programme, deepening market engagement and strengthening the voice of delegated underwriting across the UK and Ireland this year.
Howden expands presence in the Channel Islands with broker buy
Howden has purchased retail insurance broker Polygon Insurance Brokers (PIBL), growing its presence in the Channel Islands.
Ex-Clear boss Lickens joins Konsileo as chair
After retiring from Clear Group at the close of 2025, Howard Lickens has taken up the post of chair at Konsileo.
FCA launches AI review with Sheldon Mills at the helm
Sheldon Mills, formerly of the Financial Conduct Authority, is set to lead an FCA review into the implications of advanced AI on consumers, retail financial markets and regulators.
Prestige CEO hails ‘landmark’ AUB deal
“Partnering with AUB Group gives us an exceptional platform to accelerate our growth, invest further in our people and services, and expand our presence across our current markets, while retaining the independence and culture that have been central to…
Addept launches rental fraud defence product
Addept Insurance Services has launched a specialist landlord legal protection solution addressing the impact of property title fraud and illegal sub-letting by tenants.
Tysers and Movo owner AUB to acquire Prestige creating £720m UK business
AUB Group has agreed to buy 95.9% of Prestige Insurance Holdings for A$432m (£219m).
Brit launches integrated cyber and financial institutions cover
Brit has rolled out joined up cover across cyber, professional indemnity, directors’ and officers’ liability, and crime in an integrated package for financial institutions.
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.