United Kingdom (UK)
Soft market a ‘critical opportunity’ for brokers to tackle underinsurance
Brokers are increasingly seeing their role as pivotal in fixing underinsurance, with 87% agreeing they should proactively address it, up from 80% last year, according to Aviva.
Open GI parent trims losses in year of Ares deal
Open GI’s parent company, OM Bidco, cut operating and post-tax losses in the year Ares Management bought the business, a filing at Companies House has revealed.
H&H promotes Kally Shane to lead insurance business
Kally Shane has been promoted to head of H&H Insurance Brokers having progressed through the business in increasingly senior roles after joining as a trainee 16 years ago.
John Lewis Money becomes regulated insurance broker
John Lewis Money has become a regulated insurance broker and will go live with a panel including Axa, Prestige Underwriting and Covéa for home insurance in April with car to follow in the summer.
ERS launches ultra-HNW motor offering
ERS has launched Private Client Ultimate, a proposition developed for high-net worth individuals with complex motor risks to provide specialist cover for single vehicles valued at £350,000 and vehicle collections valued at £500,000.
People Moves: 2 – 6 March 2026
Follow the latest personnel moves in insurance.
Chris Knight succeeds Brewis as FCA insurance director
The Financial Conduct Authority has recruited Chris Knight to take on the director of insurance role within its supervision, policy and competition division starting July 2026.
Storah promises brokers more to come as Aviva reaches sub 94% ‘North Star’ COR
Aviva grew gross written premium and policy numbers in a “challenging” SME market, Jason Storah, CEO for UK and Ireland general insurance at Aviva, confirmed to Insurance Age, as he promised further broker focus after its 2025 results.
MGA Lumara adds Draper to lead Midlands offering
Managing general agent Lumara Insurance has appointed Matt Draper as lead underwriter for the Midlands, responsible for the managing general agent’s broker panel in the region.
Aviva posts UK commercial growth as Direct Line boosts GWP to over £9bn
Aviva grew UK commercial premiums by 7% to £3.85bn last year as it improved the combined operating ratio in the line to 93.9% from 95.4%.
Polaris MD Banga on growth with MGAs, AI and initiatives to expand digital trading
“There had been this perception that imarket is only for insurers. It’s great to see four MGAs now actively trading on it,” Polaris managing director Vivek Banga has told Insurance Age.
FCA way off target on insurance new firm authorisation service
New data and goals from the Financial Conduct Authority have revealed the regulator is far behind the target for authorising new insurance firms, with the level of service squarely in the red zone at 81.8%.
imarket premiums tick up in 2025 as Polaris confirms MGA joiners and AI pilot
Digital trading platform imarket handled £454m of premium in 2025 with policies traded rising to just over 547,000, Insurance Age can reveal.
Andrew McGee named Howden Retail chief broking officer
Howden UK and Ireland Retail has appointed Andrew McGee as chief broking officer.
People Moves: 23 – 27 February 2026
Stay in the loop with the latest insurance personnel moves.
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.
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.