Insurer
Blog: How the regulatory axe could fall in 2026
Isabella Macfarlane, head of London Markets at Insurance Compliance Services, explores how the Financial Conduct Authority may address its priorities in 2026.
Arch adds cyber coverage to event cancellation policies
Arch Insurance International has launched event cancellation cyber coverage.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
Beazley reveals it rejected higher £8.4bn Zurich proposal in 2025 as it dismisses latest approach
Lloyd’s insurer Beazley’s board has rejected Zurich’s recent £7.67bn takeover proposal, revealing it dismissed a higher offer valuing it at £8.4bn in June 2025.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
Lloyd’s recruits Bichard from PwC as CFO
Lloyd’s has named Jim Bichard as chief financial officer to start in the role this April succeeding Alexandra Cliff who will be leaving to pursue other opportunities.
Biba to open AI Academy
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association is working with Markel to offer an AI Academy for the trade body’s members.
US cyber specialist promotes UK boss to chief commercial officer
Cowbell has promoted Simon Hughes to chief commercial officer stepping up from being senior vice president of global distribution and general manager of the UK.
Aviva brings charity activities in Community Fund and Foundation together
Aviva has unveiled a simplified structure for its charitable activity bringing together the Aviva Community Fund and its previous grant-making programme, the Foundation, into a single offering.
Axa UK recruits Dunn from Zurich to replace retiring commercial CUO Ovenden
Axa UK Commercial has recruited Zurich’s Caroline Dunn as chief underwriting officer to replace the retiring incumbent, David Ovenden.
Markel launches life science combined
Markel has launched life science combined created specifically for SMEs operating in the sector.
Video Q&A: Arch’s Mark McGrady on the importance of getting to know customers in the emerging liability space
In this video – the last in a three part series – Mark McGrady, liability underwriting manager, UK regions, Arch discusses the opportunities in the emerging liability space.
QBE gets ready to launch into media PI
QBE is preparing to launch into the media professional indemnity market and has recruited two underwriters ahead of rolling out the product.