Insight
People Moves: 20 – 24 April 2026
Keep up to date with the latest personnel moves in insurance.
Watkins joins SRG after almost a decade at PIB
Zoe Watkins is set to take on the head of private clients post at Specialist Risk Group at the end of June.
Ageas and Saga add home to partnership
Ageas UK and Saga have launched a home insurance proposition for the over-50s, labelling the move as a “milestone”.
Bspoke seeks more broker growth with quote-and-buy portal roll out
Bspoke Group has rolled out quote-and-buy portal Bspoke Online, stressing it has been developed specifically for brokers to simplify and speed up trading and policy management.
Biba 2026 Countdown: nCino’s Hanré Cillié
Hanré Cillié, RVP of insurance growth and compliance at nCino, reckons Biba really gets going when the coffee kicks in and might be seen singing Wonderwall dressed as an alligator after dinner on Wednesday night.
UK commercial rates dropping even faster
Rate softening in the UK commercial market has hit a new record since the run started just over two years ago, according to the latest figures from Marsh.
MGA launches medical device recall insurance
BluNiche, a specialist product recall managing general agent, has extended its portfolio to provide cover for medical devices.
Allianz adds to broker hubs footprint
Allianz UK has opened a broker hub at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Regulators outline changes to help streamline SM&CR compliance
Brokers should see reduced costs and greater flexibility, following changes made to senior managers and certification regime announced today by the UK's joint financial services regulators.
Allianz partners with top 100 broker on travel insurance
Hood Group has entered a strategic partnership with Allianz Partners to provide underwriting capacity for selected travel insurance products.
Enquiries to Flood Insurance Directory surge 50% in two years
The Flood Insurance Directory has supported 35,000 households in flood-prone areas access suitable insurance since it was launched four years ago.
Biba 2026 Countdown: Zurich’s Morgan Lyons
Zurich head of mid-market at Zurich Morgan Lyons warns Biba first timers not to go too big on night one and believes it is the time for brokers to be laser‑focused on their placement strategies.
Blog: It felt quiet out there in broker M&A, but was it really?
In the wake of Gallagher announcing its takeover of fellow Top 100 UK broker Bridge, Emmanuel Kenning looks at the level of M&A activity in the first quarter of this year.
Bspoke turnover booms in run-up to NFP sale as deals bed in
Bspoke grew turnover by 184% in the year ending 30 March 2025 thanks to deals earning through and substantial organic growth ahead of being snapped up by NFP.
Ageas moves onto First2Protect home panel
Ageas UK has joined the First2Protect panel, expanding access to its home insurance propositions.
Interview: Hiscox UK CEO Jon Dye on plans to create a ‘bigger and better specialist’ insurer
Having joined in 2022 as UK CEO, Jon Dye has certainly made a mark in terms of the Hiscox retail arm’s results and recruitment. Jonathan Swift asks him how he plans to maintain an upward trajectory against the backdrop of a soft market and economic…
Ceta teams with Addept for wholesale rent guarantee products
Digital niche personal lines broker Ceta has launched four rent guarantee products on a wholesale basis underwritten by managing general agent Addept.
Wiser Academy launches AI apprenticeship
Wiser Academy has launched an artificial intelligence Academy programme in what it claimed is an industry first.
Biba 2026 Countdown: Markel UK’s Joanne Sykes
Joanne Skyes, divisional director of UK broker at Markel, recommends brokers choose a specialism, compares Biba CEO Graeme Trudgill to England all-rounder Ben Stokes and bigs up the insurer’s event at Society.
US consolidator DOXA snaps up MGA Eaton Gate in first UK deal
US distribution consolidator DOXA has made its first acquisition in the UK, with a deal for specialist commercial mid-market managing general agent Eaton Gate.
Clear adds to portfolio in Scotland with Spence Insurance
Clear Group has added Spence Insurance, based in Scotland’s Central Belt, to its roster after moving into the country last December.