United Kingdom (UK)
Gauntlet targets ‘ghosted’ DA brokers following Clear deal
Brokerbility and Gauntlet are eyeing up expansion with brokers in all lifecycle stages after joining forces at the start of this year, with directly authorised firms moving to the AR model a key area of opportunity.
Open GI looks to Barnard from Aviva to succeed Badley as CEO
Open GI has appointed James Barnard from Aviva to succeed Simon Badley as group CEO, with the change scheduled “over the course” of the second half of the year.
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.
Broker growth optimism rises to new heights
Brokers are increasingly optimistic about growth, with regional players leading the way according to a survey by Aviva.
Biba 2026 Countdown: CyberCube’s Nate Brink
Nate Brink, head of broker sales and account management at CyberCube, is flying in from Michigan to attend his first ever Biba Conference and is looking forward to savouring a local curry and gaining valuable insights in the coffee queues.
Covéa bolsters personal lines leadership with McCann and Midgley in new roles
Covéa Insurance has created two new roles, adding Jamie McCann as head of personal lines and promoting Jade Midgley to head of trading for personal lines.
Allianz revamps commercial management as Nick Hobbs exits after 25 years
Nick Hobbs is to leave Allianz UK after 25 years with the insurer, stepping down from his roles as chief distribution officer and chairman of Allianz Engineering Inspection Services.
Analysis: Are employee benefits the new diversification frontier for GI brokers?
This year, Top 100 UK brokers Jensten, Lloyd & Whyte and Clear have all joined amii, a trade body representing intermediaries advising on health insurance, protection and wellbeing services, while others have acquired in this space. Sam Barrett looks at…
Insurance complaints up 10% but stay below recent highs
Complaints about insurance and protection rose 10.1% in the second half of last year, the only product group to post an increase.
Brown & Brown partners with Progeny Underwriting on agriculture products
Brown & Brown has entered a three-year partnership with Progeny Underwriting to provide its brokers access to the agricultural specialist managing general agent’s proposition.
Biba 2026 Countdown: Gambit and Mode Insurance’s Ajay Mistry
Gambit Insurance Solutions and Mode Insurance founder and director, Ajay Mistry, recommends being selective and not trying to be everywhere on Wednesday night and sending a quick message/thank you by way of a follow up after the event.
JMG eyes £1bn GWP as it hits £500m
JMG Group has achieved £500m gross written premium during the financial year, setting it sights on hitting £1bn GWP within five years.
Wholesaler Ceta adds renewal hub to portal
Ceta has launched a renewal hub for property business on its Infinity Portal as it labelled renewals “the single biggest revenue battleground” for any intermediary in a softening market.
Biba 2026 Countdown: QBE’s Janine Bowler
Janine Bowler, Manchester interim head of trading at QBE, recommends Salut wine bar for an external catch up and is looking forward to the buzz when the event opens on Wednesday 13 May.
WF Risks eyes new branches as CEO bemoans lack of M&A opportunities
WF Risk Group has established a new office in Edinburgh under the sub-brand ‘WF Risk Insurance Brokers’ and is looking at other prospective launches across UK and Ireland headed by further senior hires.
Qlaims adds household loss recovery insurance on Acturis
Managing general agent Qlaims has launched household loss recovery insurance on Acturis, in a move it claimed gives brokers easy access to its product.
HNW broker sets out growth plan as MD reaches 25-year anniversary
Family-led broker Lumley Insurance has unveiled a growth plan to enter a new phase of development as it marks 25 years of managing director John Lumley at the helm.
Adrian Flux renews deal with partner of 22 years
Top 100 UK broker Adrian Flux has renewed with its premium finance provider of 22 years.
Jensten recruits Swindle from Ardonagh-owned Geo
Jensten has swooped for Geo Underwriting CEO Jaime Swindle as its new CEO of product and distribution.
PE backed platform looks to regional broker M&A after authorisation
Ascend Insurance Holdings has received FCA authorisation and entered the UK market to provide an “alternative solution” to regional insurance brokers.
Allianz U-turns on dropping LV brand with deal extension
Allianz has reversed its plans to shift away from the LV brand and has struck a new multi-year deal to continue using it for home, car and pet insurance.
People Moves: 20 – 24 April 2026
Keep up to date with the latest personnel moves in insurance.
Biba 2026 Countdown: UGL’s Derek Coles
Derek Coles, CEO of UGL, suggests Biba is often a tale of two breakfasts, compares Brendan McManus to Ben Stokes and recommends a watering hole for some downtime away from the conference centre.