Insurer
Aviva survey ranks broker priorities ahead of Biba conference
Strengthening partnerships with insurers is the top priority for brokers ahead of this year’s British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s conference, according to Aviva’s latest Broker Barometer.
Biba 2026 Countdown: Dual’s Moira Spencer
Moira Spencer, regional manager for the North West at Dual Underwriting, looks forward to beating everybody at shuffleboard, and recommends the Northern Quarter to switch off and trainers over heels to survive the two day event.
Analysis: Does Intact’s investment in UKGI signal a new era of insurer broker buys?
In 2025 the parent company of Top 100 UK broker Adler Fairways secured financial backing from Intact Financial Corporation. Insurer investments in brokers are nothing new, but the trend over the last decade has been divestments which raise the big…
Howden lifts the lid on MGA sale valuations
The UK remains the largest European market for MGAs, with gross written premium estimated at approximately £7.2bn in 2025, up around 20% year-on-year (2024: £6.3bn).
Wakam shares MGA partnership growth plans
Wakam UK has detailed its plans for being a “strategic partner” with managing general agents as it seeks further growth in the sector.
Biba 2026 Countdown: Bspoke’s Kieran Molloy
Kieran Molloy, underwriting manager at Bspoke, believes the spontaneous Biba meetings are often the most valuable and describes the perfect insurance all-rounder as someone with a never-say-die attitude who can win when everything is stacked against them.
Aviva reveals 15 new hires in regional specialty push
Aviva has hired 15 people in its regional specialty segment as it commits to increasing market visibility through deeper, face-to-face engagement with brokers across the regions.
Hiscox maintains UK expansion pace in Q1
Hiscox UK grew written premiums by 8.9% to £181.2m in the first quarter compared to the same period the year before, underpinned by “strong double-digit” growth in its art and private client arm.
Biba 2026 Countdown: Drive Further’s Jon Daniels
Jon Daniels, managing director of Drive Further, recommends that a bit of preparation goes a long way before the conference and looks forward to the quality conversations when things get calmer on Thursday morning.
Axa makes triple May moves
Axa Insurance UK’s partnership with Commercial Express has gone live, as the insurer also enhanced its risk management proposition for fleets and rolled out a 24/7 commercial motor claims reporting service.
Allianz passes cyber to Coalition
Allianz has signed a global deal to move its commercial cyber insurance business to Coalition.
Covéa promotes Long to COO
Covéa Insurance has promoted Stephen Long to chief operating officer in the latest of a series of personnel changes at the insurer.
Home insurance premiums tick down in Q1 – ABI
Household property premiums fell in the first quarter of the year, the fourth drop in a row according to the Association of British Insurers.
UGL unveils Zurich-backed landlords product
Midas, part of Uris Group, has launched a residential landlords proposition Midas Let Property.
Biba 2026 Countdown: Aviva’s Michael Yabantu
Michael Yabantu, managing director of mid-market at Aviva, is keen to talk to brokers to work together to address the protection gap for customers and hints that the insurer’s Wednesday night event might have an element of Madness to it.
Aventum makes first MGA buy as it pushes into Continental Europe
Aventum has bought Rotterdam-headquartered specialist marine and logistics managing general agent Post & Co in its first ever MGA acquisition.
Dual expands social care proposition
Dual UK has enhanced its social care proposition providing cover for the operational and regulatory requirements of children’s homes and special education needs schools.
UK a key focus for US consolidator Doxa over next three to five years
The UK will be a focus area for US distribution consolidator Doxa for the next three to five years following the Eaton Gate deal, with sights set on growing the products range, team builds and strategic tuck-in acquisitions.
Biba 2026 Countdown: Axa’s Matt Field
Matt Field, partnerships director at Axa Insurance UK – retail, invites people to visit its van on the cobbled area next to the conference centre and warns against burn out by over-filling your diary with appointments.
Clear pushes on with MGA rebrands
Clear has rebranded Accelerate Underwriting as Shape Digital and Thomond Underwriting as Shape Underwriting Ireland in further changes to its managing general agents division.
MoneySuperMarket grows ChatGPT app with home and pet insurance
Price comparison service MoneySuperMarket has added home and pet insurance products directly in its ChatGPT app.
Aviva makes third acquisition in three years buying long standing partner
Aviva has acquired DisasterCare Group in a move that it believes will strengthen its disaster recovery and restoration capability, as well as support a quicker end-to-end property claims process for customers, brokers and partners.
Motor premiums remained stable in Q1 – ABI
The average motor premium held steady in the first quarter of 2026 at £560, just 0.2% up on Q4 2025, the Association of British Insurers has calculated.
Optio builds real estate capacity to £100m
Specialty managing general agent Optio Group has struck a capacity deal for its real estate product, increasing its total sum insured binding authority from £60m to £100m.