Insight
Hedron to support brokers on ‘talent crunch’
Hedron Network has launched Hedron People, a support framework to help independent brokers attract new talent, develop existing teams, and retain key staff.
Intact to increase access to underwriters with trading proposition roll-out
Intact Insurance has a newly launched broker proposition Intact Trading, designed to increase visibility of underwriters and create a relationships-led approach to UK regional business.
Defaqto spends £11m snapping up pricing business
Defaqto has bought Pearson Ham Group’s market pricing business for £11m.
Zurich trying to ‘bear hug’ Beazley, says investment advisory firm
“Zurich is clearly trying to ‘bear hug’ Beazley. They obviously think they are offering a price that is high enough for target shareholders to put pressure on the company to sell itself.”
Fund raising campaign for Insurance Museum launched
The Insurance Museum has launched a fundraising campaign to open a museum in London, EC3, in three years’ time dedicated to insurance.
Beazley board ‘not yet had the chance to consider’ £7.67bn Zurich takeover proposal
The board of Beazley has responded to Zurich’s bid confirming it has not had time to consider the improved offer having rejected a previous approach.
Zurich ups Beazley bid after offer rejected for ‘significantly undervaluing’ target
Zurich has submitted an improved proposal to the board of Beazley worth 1280 pence a share, valuing the insurer at £7.67bn.
Clear makes vet broker first deal of 2026
Clear Group has kicked off 2026 purchasing specialist veterinary insurance broker Shire Insurance Services, strengthening its UK retail pillar.
Amiga Specialty adds IGI and Lloyd’s capacity to ‘core strategic growth area’
Amiga Specialty has secured capacity for its UK and European Transactional Risks team, supported by IGI and Lloyd’s, in its second expansion of the month.
Uris enters Northern Ireland home insurance market
Midas, part of Uris Group, has expanded its Midas Jewel household product into Northern Ireland.
Ardonagh launches pan-European MGA
Ardonagh Europe has launched Dublin-headquartered Orvia Underwriting, a pan-European managing general agent.
Blog: Last year reaffirmed the importance of MGAs as the market turns to 2026
The past year tested global dealmakers with persistent economic, geopolitical and regulatory uncertainty, yet 2025 ultimately proved far more resilient than many expected, writes Jamie Richards, head of M&A at Ripe, a UK digital MGA.
Lloyd’s recruits Bichard from PwC as CFO
Lloyd’s has named Jim Bichard as chief financial officer to start in the role this April succeeding Alexandra Cliff who will be leaving to pursue other opportunities.
Biba to open AI Academy
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association is working with Markel to offer an AI Academy for the trade body’s members.
People Moves: 12-16 January 2026
Stay in the loop with the latest insurance personnel moves.
Biba to launch cyber insurance broker directory
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association is working on the launch of a directory of accredited cyber insurance brokers, as the trade body highlights growing cyber-attack risk.
Pikl adds to exec with CCO appointment
Pikl has added to its board with the appointment of Jemma Clarke as chief commercial officer.
Biba pitches industry wide fair value assessment templates
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has targeted further regulatory rule simplification in its 2026 Manifesto, as it urged industry wide support of developing a fair value assessment template, and called on the government to deliver a new…
US cyber specialist promotes UK boss to chief commercial officer
Cowbell has promoted Simon Hughes to chief commercial officer stepping up from being senior vice president of global distribution and general manager of the UK.
Aviva brings charity activities in Community Fund and Foundation together
Aviva has unveiled a simplified structure for its charitable activity bringing together the Aviva Community Fund and its previous grant-making programme, the Foundation, into a single offering.
Virtual Agents specialist Unitary becomes Biba associate member
Unitary has joined the British Insurance Brokers’ Association as an associate member, in a move the automation platform claimed strengthened its commitment to supporting the UK broker community.