Insight
Zurich takeover of Beazley a step closer after boards agree offer terms
The respective boards have agreed the terms of a recommended all-cash offer by Zurich for the entire issued and to-be-issued share capital of Beazley.
Gwilliam seeking to make ‘genuine impact’ after nCino departure
Ashleigh Gwilliam, director of insurance at nCino, announced he has left the business and is looking for a new challenge “to make a genuine impact”.
Bspoke increases HNW line size to £15m after locking down new capacity
Bspoke Private Clients, the mid and high-net-worth offering from Bspoke Group, has secured a new five-year capacity deal via the Accelerant Risk Exchange, increasing the maximum line size to £15m per single location.
Coversure opens eleventh office in past year
The Coversure Network, part of the Jensten Group, has strengthened its footprint in Manchester with the launch of Red Apple Brokers.
Superscript to open new Glasgow office and promotes trio
Superscript has announced plans to open a third office in Scotland and unveiled a series of promotions as part of what it has described as “next phase of growth”.
Bermuda insurer invests in MGA consolidator
The owner of UK MGAs Avid and Landmark, Bishop Street Underwriters, has announced that it has completed a strategic structured capital investment of $125m (£93m) by White Mountains Insurance Group.
Axa’s door “fully open” to new DA and schemes business – Markham
Joel Markham, Axa Commercial’s director of schemes, delegated authorities, financial lines and speciality, has outlined its pipeline in DA business remains strong; whilst noting its investment in technology means it is more “nimble” and less frictional…
Aviva grows broking Rising Stars programme with largest cohort
Aviva has extended its Rising Stars programme with its 19 cohorts, aiming to help brokers retain the best talent from across their business.
People Moves: 23 – 27 February 2026
Stay in the loop with the latest insurance personnel moves.
Allianz CEO Holmes: ‘Head-scratching’ rivals holding up commercial market hardening
Allianz UK CEO Colm Holmes has lambasted a couple of rivals for pushing “head-scratching” commercial rates into the market and discounting to a point that is “excessive in extreme”.
Aviva restructures GCS team as Probitas CEO Washington leaves
Matt Washington, managing director of Global Corporate & Specialty at Aviva and CEO of Probitas, is set to leave the insurer as it restores his responsibilities into two roles.
Axa reports UK and Ireland softest markets in Europe in FY results
Axa UK and Ireland saw the softest markets across commercial and personal lines within the group’s European business, it reported today.
Bspoke secures £250m capacity deal with Accelerant
Bspoke Underwriting, the UK personal lines MGA, has secured a five-year capacity deal via the Accelerant Risk Exchange providing £50m of capacity annually.
Allianz UK profits jump 29.5% to £476.2m on the back of COR improvement
Allianz UK has reported a 29.5% increase in profit in 2025 to £476.2m (2024: £386.8m) on the back of an improved combined operating ratio of 93% (2024: 93%) as its total business volume shrunk by 0.3% to £4.66bn (2024: £4.64bn).
News analysis: Why are more brokers competing for brand and affinity partnerships?
A number of brokers have recently announced tie-ups with household brands to distribute insurance. Ida Axling explores the benefits these affinity deals bring for intermediaries and their partners, and the prospects for future growth in the brand…
Hiscox recruits Jadav from Axa XL as UK CUO
Anish Jadav has been appointed UK chief underwriting officer at Hiscox, succeeding Ben Horton.
Ageas posts higher UK premium amid deal effects starting to kick in
Ageas grew UK premium by 6% to €1.93bn (£1.68bn) last year with the insurer noting a “solid UK result despite [the] softer market”.
Hiscox grows UK book even faster in 2025
Hiscox’s growth momentum has accelerated again in the UK, with the insurer excited about its results and even “more excited about the future” with brokers, according to group chief underwriting officer Joanne Musselle.
Wiser Academy launches bite-size training platform
Wiser Academy has launched a free digital platform supporting more consistent learning by making content easier to access and complete, and giving employers better visibility of skills development and progression.
Ex-senior Dual duo launch new specialist manufacturing MGA
Accelerant-backed managing general agent incubator Mission has hit double figures for UK/EU start-ups with the launch of Elitium today.
Sompo swaps Stanford for Thaker as UK CEO after completing Aspen deal
Sompo has replaced its UK CEO Bob Thaker with his equivalent at Aspen, Sarah Stanford.
Prestige to become AUB’s primary UK retail brand
AUB Group has outlined its UK broking plans and signalled further M&A is on the cards, having signed up to buy 95.9% of Prestige Insurance Holdings for A$432m (£219m) last month.
Caravan Guard pays tribute to founder Peter Wilby who has passed away aged 78
With deep sadness the Wilby family has announced the passing of Caravan Guard founder and chairman, Peter Wilby, aged 78.
Revenue and adjusted Ebitda tick down at Open GI
Open GI has posted £60m of revenue for the year ended 31 May 2025, down from £61.7m as adjusted Ebitda also fell but investment rose.