News
Markerstudy to sell MGA business with CUO Humphreys poised to exit
Markerstudy Group is set to sell its managing general agent arm to the parent company of insurer Tradex as it focuses on broking, Insurance Age has learned.
Eleven Network adds Acrisure to name in further rebrand
Appointed representatives network Eleven Network has rebranded to Acrisure Eleven Network.
Zurich crowns King head of the North
Andy King has taken on the role of head of regional market for the North at Zurich as it targets adding 15 underwriters across the country this quarter, Insurance Age can reveal.
Commercial Express claims first to market with 24/7 virtual underwriting assistant ‘Jamie’
Commercial Express has claimed to be the first UK managing general agent to deploy a 24/7 virtual underwriting assistant.
One Call launches new digital insurance brand Zen
Top 100 broker One Call has launched a new brand that is claimed to offer a “no-touch, fully digital customer experience”.
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.
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).
Biba 2026 Countdown: Coalition UK’s Tom Draper
Tom Draper, managing director of Coalition UK, is looking forward to the Biba Conference magical hour where the formal seminar stage brain fatigue gives way to insurance engagement and recommends brokers double down on being pillars of their communities.
Markerstudy rolls out business division with £200m GWP target
Markerstudy Group has created Markerstudy Business, a commercial insurance division within its distribution arm led by newly appointed CEO Ross Barrington.
Four main board switches at Biba
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has made a series of changes to its main board as the incumbents’ tenures come to an end.
People Moves: 5 – 8 May 2026
Follow the latest personnel moves in insurance.
Biba 2026 Countdown: Hedron’s Chris Taylor
Chris Taylor, trading and distribution director at Hedron Network, loves the fact that the Biba Conference bucks the growing trend of remote interactions and looks forward to having a ‘breather’ at its network lunch on Wednesday.
D&O, employee benefits and key man cover top list as brokers optimistic on growth
Brokers have ranked D&O, employee benefits and key man cover as the top areas most likely to grow in the coming 12 months as they expressed near unanimous optimism about their businesses and the sector.
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.
JMG scores hat-trick of deals in first M&A move of 2026
JMG Group has expanded its Midlands presence with Jukes Insurance Brokers, RP Lovatt and Nene Valley Insurance Practice as it struck its first deals of 2026, having been the most prolific buyer over the past two years.
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.
SSP gears up for purchasing drive after restructure
SSP’s Martyn Mathews has been tasked with spending money on M&A, as the software provider has restructured with Mathews leading its UK and Ireland business.
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.