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General Insurance newsletter Friday 12th June 2026

Insurance NewsPrivate Equity is changing: What it means for insurance and wealth businesses - Private equity's role in insurance and wealth is shifting. With tougher market conditions, focus has moved from financial engineering to operational growth. Strong leadership, governance, and scalability are now key, as consolidation accelerates and talent becomes critical for success. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Private Equity is changing: What it means for insurance and wealth businesses')Looking to hire top General Insurance talent? - With over 325 years of combined market expertise, IDEX specialises in connecting businesses with outstanding General Insurance professionals. Covering 18+ verticals, including Property & Casualty and Marine, our consultants leverage an extensive network and deep industry knowledge to quickly source skilled candidates, ensuring lasting success and retention. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Looking to hire top General Insurance talent?')Benchmark your earnings with confidence - The IDEX Salary Calculator delivers reliable compensation data tailored specifically to General Insurance and Financial Services professionals. Instantly check your current pay against the latest market trends to ensure your compensation package truly reflects your expertise. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Benchmark your earnings with confidence')Discover the true value of your firm - Built specifically for brokers, insurers, and MGAs, our complimentary valuation tool delivers a clear estimate in seconds. Simply enter your company profile, revenue, and profit details to receive the actionable data you need to drive your strategy forward with confidence. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Discover the true value of your firm')Lockton reported fiscal 2026 global revenue of about US$4.5 billion, up 12% with 11% organic growth, marking its sixth straight year of double-digit organic growth as People Solutions surpassed US$1 billion in revenue and the broker continued investing in international expansion and AI-enabled capabilities. (Paul Lucas, 11/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Lockton hits US$4.5 billion in revenue in sixth straight year of double-digit growth')EDII and Markel are bringing the Digital Minds Embed programme to Leeds for the first time this October, hosted at Markel's City Square House office, where the insurer plans to grow its Leeds headcount by 25% over two years to more than 200 staff; the nine-month, CII-accredited programme is designed to help address the insurance sector’s innovation and skills gap beyond London. (Josh Recamara, 12/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'EDII and Markel bring flagship innovation programme to the North of England')BMS has launched a specialist Lloyd’s consortia unit, led by Richard Wynn, to broker and service consortia business, reflecting rising demand for delegated authority solutions as this segment now accounts for around 45% of Lloyd’s total business volume. (Mark Rosanes, 11/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Lloyd's consortia growth drives new BMS specialist unit')Pinpoint UK has secured FCA authorisation, completing its transition to a fully independent, directly authorised London MGA following its 2025 Lloyd’s coverholder approval and strengthening its platform for further UK market growth. (Mark Rosanes, 11/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Pinpoint UK completes regulatory build-out with FCA approval')Jensten Underwriting has secured a five-year deal with Zurich UK worth more than £300 million in cross-class property, casualty and motor capacity, strengthening its position as a virtual insurer and providing long-term stability for brokers and clients. (Josh Recamara, 11/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Jensten Underwriting secures £300 million-plus Zurich capacity in five-year deal')AXA XL has partnered with Deloitte to offer global cybersecurity and operational technology services through its digital platform, expanding its cyber proposition beyond insurance cover to include prevention, monitoring and resilience support. (Josh Recamara, 11/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'AXA XL and Deloitte forge global cybersecurity partnership')Allianz has warned that the UK commercial insurance soft market, now in its ninth consecutive month of rate decline, is increasing pressure not just on pricing but on policy terms, conditions and customer outcomes, raising the risk that clients may end up with cheaper cover that offers less protection than expected. (Bryony Garlick, 10/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'What the soft market is really costing the industry')Willis has expanded its international property facility to provide up to $60 million in follow capacity per placement, widening its Lloyd’s panel and extending automatic follow capacity across global markets as it responds to softer property rates and stronger buyer demand for faster, more competitive facultative placements. (Mark Rosanes, 8/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Willis expands property facility as international rates keep falling')Aviva detected a record £233 million in fraudulent claims in 2025 across more than 18,400 suspect cases, while also identifying over 105,000 fraudulent insurance applications, as the insurer warned that AI-generated evidence and rising ghost broking are making fraud more sophisticated and more costly across the UK market. (Josh Recamara, 8/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Aviva detects record £233 million in fraud as AI tools and ghost broking accelerate')Mergers and AcquisitionsJMG Group has acquired Langton London Insurance Brokers and its underwriting arm, Portsoken Ltd, adding a £7 million GWP specialist commercial broker with 14 staff and expanding its presence in Surrey and South London while strengthening its capabilities in cyber, professional indemnity, recruitment and specialist SME risks. (Mark Rosanes, 8/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'JMG Group targets cyber and SME growth with Langton London buy')MovesConsilium has appointed Olivia Bellingham as Partner in its international casualty risk solutions team, effective June 11, with the BMS and former CFC broker bringing 12 years of market experience as the firm continues its purposeful 2026 build-out of international casualty capability. (Josh Recamara, 12/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Consilium, South Wales Insurance, Mercer Marsh and Aon')South Wales Insurance Brokers (SWIB) has appointed Martin Rees as Senior Account Executive, with the move coinciding with the firm's first acquisition and the opening of a new Treorchy office; Rees brings extensive senior leadership and director-level experience from major national brokers as SWIB continues its strategic expansion and investment in local talent across South Wales. (Josh Recamara, 12/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Consilium, South Wales Insurance, Mercer Marsh and Aon')Mercer Marsh Benefits has appointed Lorraine Roberts-Rance as Workplace Healthcare Consulting Leader, effective immediately; with more than 25 years of healthcare experience across Australia and the UK, she will lead MMB's UK Workplace Health Consulting team as it broadens its offering to health and social care clients. (Josh Recamara, 12/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Consilium, South Wales Insurance, Mercer Marsh and Aon')Aon has appointed Steve Dando as Chief Broking Officer for its London-based Global Broking Centre (GBC), effective July 1; previously CEO of Aon's Strategy and Technology Group and Inpoint across the UK and EMEA, where he led around 350 colleagues, and formerly Global Head of Broking at The Ardonagh Group, he will now set GBC broking strategy, strengthen market connectivity, and lead the integration of analytics, capital, and global expertise to deliver risk transfer solutions for clients. (Josh Recamara, 12/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Consilium, South Wales Insurance, Mercer Marsh and Aon')Westfield Specialty has expanded its casualty offering with a new UK and Europe liability portfolio, hiring former Everest underwriters Keith Knight and Andy Skinner to lead the push as it grows beyond Lloyd’s and builds its European company market presence. (Mark Rosanes, 10/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Westfield Specialty adds UK and Europe liability in casualty expansion')Ripe has appointed Jon Fell as its first Chief Operating Officer, with Fell joining from Verso Wealth Management and bringing more than 25 years of operational leadership experience across Assurant Europe, Bank of America and private equity-backed financial services firms, where he led large-scale digitisation and integration programmes. (Josh Recamara, 10/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Ripe, TMK, Policy Expert, Gallagher and Vitesse')Tokio Marine Kiln has appointed Georgina Rennie as Head of Political Violence and Terrorism, hiring her from Talbot AIG where she served as Deputy Head of Terrorism and Political Violence and managed one of the market’s largest portfolios, following earlier experience at Chaucer Syndicates building its Latin America terrorism book and underwriting tools. (Josh Recamara, 10/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Ripe, TMK, Policy Expert, Gallagher and Vitesse')Gallagher has made five hires in its European private equity and M&A practice, including launching its first local team in Italy: Giulio Greco becomes Chief Broking Officer for the EMEA practice, leading broking strategy for transactional risk solutions across the UK, Europe and the Middle East; Carlo Ungaro joins as Director of Relationship Management for southern Europe; Federica Marcabruni, a Corporate M&A Lawyer with more than a decade of experience, becomes Head of Transaction Solutions for Italy; and Alberto Corolla and Vincenzo Ferrini join as Director and Associate Director of Transaction Solutions respectively, both bringing corporate law backgrounds as qualified lawyers. (Josh Recamara, 10/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Ripe, TMK, Policy Expert, Gallagher and Vitesse')Arch Insurance International has appointed Kendra Felisky as Chair of Arch Insurance (UK) and Arch Managing Agency, promoting an existing independent Non-Executive Director with more than 20 years of actuarial, risk and governance experience, including senior roles at Deloitte and Travelers, following the retirement of long-serving Chair Patrick Storey. (Mark Rosanes, 9/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Arch Insurance UK gets new chair')Novus Underwriting has appointed Mark Noble to its underwriting team, hiring him from Canopius where he was an Assistant Underwriter in the specialist consumer products team, with five years of experience across consumer protection insurance products and particular expertise in accident, sickness and unemployment cover. (Josh Recamara, 9/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Novus, Konsileo, AbbeyAutoline, Specialty MGA, UIB, Broadstone')Konsileo has appointed Dawn Derbyshire as Head of Commercial Strategy, bringing more than 35 years of broking experience and joining from TEn Insurance Services, now Eleven Network, where as Managing Director she oversaw regulation, operations, network growth and retention, strategic direction and stakeholder management. (Josh Recamara, 9/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Novus, Konsileo, AbbeyAutoline, Specialty MGA, UIB, Broadstone')AbbeyAutoline has appointed Ciaran McGurgan as Corporate Business Director and Kate Moore as Head of Private Clients, with McGurgan bringing more than 22 years of experience and joining through the acquisition of family firm BMG Insurance, while Moore brings 23 years at AbbeyAutoline across personal lines, client management and operations, and will now lead the private clients division as well as the property owners and private medical insurance teams. (Josh Recamara, 9/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Novus, Konsileo, AbbeyAutoline, Specialty MGA, UIB, Broadstone')Specialty MGA, part of MNK Group, has appointed Marcus Smithson as Head of Financial Lines and Cyber, hiring a market veteran with more than 30 years of experience who joins from Marsh and previously spent nearly a decade at Generali building its Latin American financial lines and cyber portfolio, alongside earlier underwriting and portfolio management roles at QBE in London. (Josh Recamara, 9/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Novus, Konsileo, AbbeyAutoline, Specialty MGA, UIB, Broadstone')Broadstone has appointed Simon Grout as Senior Actuarial Director in its insurance advisory and remediation division, bringing in an actuarial and management consultant with nearly 40 years of experience across EMEA who joins from FTI Consulting and has previously held roles at Bacon and Woodrow, William M. Mercer and Oliver Wyman following its acquisition by Marsh McLennan. (Josh Recamara, 9/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Novus, Konsileo, AbbeyAutoline, Specialty MGA, UIB, Broadstone')United Insurance Brokers has appointed Kevin Webb as Divisional Director for binders, bringing in a market specialist with more than 25 years of experience in North American business and commercial transportation risks who joins from Burns and Wilcox Global Solutions and has previously held roles at Bowood Insurance Brokers and Howden Insurance Brokers. (Josh Recamara, 9/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Novus, Konsileo, AbbeyAutoline, Specialty MGA, UIB, Broadstone')Clear Group has appointed Nathan Bavidge as Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Tim Money, with Bavidge joining from Three Rock Group and bringing experience across finance, risk, strategy and M&A roles at Chill Insurance, Quote Devil Insurance, Ivernia MGA, Policy Expert, Compare The Market, BGL Group and Direct Line Group. (Mark Rosanes, 8/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Clear Group names new CFO as Money prepares June exit')Not subscribed yet? Subscribe for the latest news, market trends, and weekly insights - all delivered straight to your inbox.All information provided in this market digest has been gathered from Insurance Business and IDEX Consulting.

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General Insurance newsletter Friday 5th June 2026

Insurance NewsGI market priorities, growth drivers, and BIBA advice: Insights from six insurance leaders at BIBA 2026 - Check out this video to hear Kate Gregory, Mike Latham, Nicholas Hartley, Philip Thorn, Richard Brown, and Robert Corner share their perspectives on the changes brokers and MGAs can't afford to ignore, what separates growing firms from those standing still, the one piece of advice every insurance leader should hear before attending BIBA, and a bonus question worth watching through to the end for. (IDEX Consulting news, 'GI market priorities, growth drivers, and BIBA advice: Insights from six insurance leaders at BIBA 2026')UK vs US general insurance market: Insights from John Tallarida, of Costero Brokers - In this Q&A, John Tallarida, co-founder and CEO of Costero Brokers, shares his perspective on the differences between the UK and US general insurance markets, highlighting Lloyd’s unique value, London’s concentration of talent, and the importance of direct relationships, cultural fit, and long-term strategy for brokers expanding internationally. (IDEX Consulting news, 'UK vs US general insurance market: Insights from John Tallarida of Costero Brokers')Benchmark your earnings with confidence - The IDEX Salary Calculator delivers reliable compensation data tailored specifically to General Insurance and Financial Services professionals. Instantly check your current pay against the latest market trends to ensure your compensation package truly reflects your expertise. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Benchmark your earnings with confidence')Discover the true value of your firm - Built specifically for brokers, insurers, and MGAs, our complimentary valuation tool delivers a clear estimate in seconds. Simply enter your company profile, revenue, and profit details to receive the actionable data you need to drive your strategy forward with confidence. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Discover the true value of your firm')UK brokers are being warned they may be underestimating the rise of AI-enabled fraud, as insurers report sharp increases in manipulated claims, fake documents, and ghost broking activity. The article argues that while fraud losses and regulatory pressure are mounting, broker awareness remains low, creating growing risks for firms, clients, and premiums.(Mark Rosanes, 5/6/2026, Insurance Business, UK brokers are underpreparing for an AI fraud crisis)M&A insurance is entering a more mature phase, with claims frequency and severity rising across North America, Europe and Asia as more policies move into active claim years. Record payouts and larger losses are reinforcing the value of transaction risk cover, while also increasing focus on underwriting quality, analytics and post-deal risk management. (Mark Rosanes, 4/6/2026, Insurance Business, Claims mount worldwide as M&A insurance enters a new phase)Beazley’s former Chief Risk Officer left the business in early 2025 following allegations of non-financial misconduct, although the specific claims have not been disclosed. The case reflects increasing regulatory and market scrutiny of workplace conduct across the insurance sector, particularly as new FCA rules come into effect.(Mark Rosanes, 4/6/2026, Insurance Business, Beazley CRO and Lloyd's DEI chair left after misconduct allegations)The CBI has warned that rising business taxes and employment costs are pushing UK firms towards a tipping point, increasing financial pressure across the wider insurance market. For insurers and brokers, this could mean higher operating costs, greater underinsurance risk among clients and continued pressure on pricing and underwriting decisions. (Mark Rosanes, 4/6/2026, Insurance Business, CBI to warn of business tax 'tipping point' as insurers watch on)Markerstudy has restructured its broking operations by launching Markerstudy Retail as a dedicated personal lines division, separating it from its commercial arm to sharpen strategy, improve customer outcomes and unify brands including Swinton, Autonet and Carole Nash.(Josh Recamara, 4/6/2026, Insurance Business, Markerstudy restructures broking arm with launch of dedicated retail division)In SME underwriting, speed is no longer a competitive advantage but a basic expectation, shaped by an on-demand culture and broker time pressures. The real differentiator is being able to deliver fast decisions without compromising underwriting quality, pricing discipline or profitability. (Bryony Garlick, 4/6/2026, Insurance Business, Speed is now the baseline, not the differentiator in underwriting)Convex has launched Kinetic Insurance Services, an FCA-approved, technology-enabled MGA that will begin trading in the UK in Q4 2026 and target niche specialty lines backed by Convex and third-party capacity. (Josh Recamara, 4/6/2026, Insurance Business, Convex launches Kinetic MGA as specialty insurer builds out its London platform)A new Tokio Marine GX report warns that the rise of hybrid and co-located renewable energy projects is creating more complex insurance risks, including technology interdependence, revenue uncertainty and aggregation exposure, requiring insurers to adapt underwriting and product design.(Jonalyn Cueto, 3/6/2026, Insurance Business, Insurers face new risks as hybrid renewables expand)Ongoing broker consolidation is reshaping the UK insurance market, but it is also prompting a wider debate about whether scale genuinely improves client outcomes or simply drives growth for its own sake. While larger groups argue consolidation supports investment in talent and capability, critics warn it can dilute relationships and distract from the core value brokers provide to clients. (Bryony Garlick, 3/6/2026, Insurance Business, Broker consolidation is forcing a debate about value)Liberty Specialty Markets has launched a multi-region marketing campaign across the UK, Europe and MENA to boost brand visibility and broker engagement, as competition for attention in specialty insurance markets intensifies. (Jonalyn Cueto, 3/6/2026, Insurance Business, Liberty steps up brand-building efforts as competition for broker attention intensifies)CFC has expanded its digital trading push into the startup technology insurance market by moving its startup tech scheme onto the Connect platform, enabling brokers to quote and bind cover online for early-stage and pre-revenue businesses. (Camille Joyce Lisay, 3/6/2026, Insurance Business, Digital trading push expands into startup technology insurance market)Brokerslink has expanded its international network by adding three affiliates in Guatemala, El Salvador and the Maldives, strengthening its reach into underinsured and high-growth markets. The additions extend the broking network’s capabilities across retail, specialist and corporate insurance lines while increasing access to emerging geographies for UK and London market insurers. (Josh Recamara, 2/6/2026, Insurance Business, Brokerslink expands network with three affiliates)Aviva has expanded its ChatGPT app to include initial life insurance quotes, building on its OpenAI partnership to make protection products easier for customers to access and apply for online. Aviva said the update pre-populates customer information into its application journey, with users then directed to its website to complete the purchase. (Jonalyn Cueto, 2/6/2026, Insurance Business, Aviva adds life cover to ChatGPT app)The IUA has welcomed the PRA’s decision to drop plans for extra quarterly reporting requirements on large overseas insurance branches, saying the reversal avoids unnecessary compliance costs and helps keep the London market attractive to international insurers.(Jonalyn Cueto, 2/6/2026, Insurance Business, IUA welcomes PRA reporting reversal for insurance branches)Sutcliffe & Co is now one of just 17 UK brokers to earn BIBA’s new Accredited Cyber Insurance Broker status, recognising its specialist cyber expertise and commitment to helping businesses manage growing cyber risk.(Josh Recamara, 2/6/2026, Insurance Business, Sutcliffe & Co joins group of 17 brokers awarded BIBA's new cyber insurance accreditation)Mergers and AcquisitionsAon and Wren Sterling have launched a reciprocal referral partnership to connect insurance, risk management, and financial planning services for private clients and SMEs. The deal highlights the growing overlap between insurance broking and wealth management, particularly as demand rises for more integrated advice around pensions, estate planning, employee benefits, and specialist cover. (Josh Recamara, 5/6/2026, Insurance Business, Aon signs referral partnership with Wren Sterling to bridge insurance planning)WTW has expanded its crypto insurance capabilities through the acquisition of Redefind, reflecting growing industry interest in digital asset risk as adoption becomes more mainstream. The move highlights increasing demand for specialist protection and recovery solutions covering theft, fraud, cyberattacks and other emerging risks in the digital economy. (Jonalyn Cueto, 3/6/2026, Insurance Business, WTW expands crypto insurance capabilities as digital asset risks attract growing industry focus)JMG Group has added three businesses to its UK network, Jaggi Insurance Brokers, Canfield Payne Insurance Consultants and Safetynet Scotland, in its latest round of consolidation across England and Scotland. (Roxanne Libatique, 2/6/2026, Insurance Business, JMG Group adds three businesses to its UK network)Admiral has completed its £80 million acquisition of Flock, bringing the digital commercial fleet insurer into its business to strengthen its push beyond personal lines and expand its fleet insurance offering. Flock’s AI-powered platform and team will now support Admiral’s telematics-based fleet proposition, helping the insurer scale further in the UK commercial motor market.(Jonalyn Cueto, 1/6/2026, Insurance Business, Admiral completes Flock acquisition for £80 million)MovesGenerali named Luca Cetrano as Group Chief Investment Officer, Fortegra promoted Mark Rattner to President, Aon appointed José María Navas as Chief Claims Officer for EMEA, and the Insurance Fraud Bureau added Colin Bushell and Stephen Long to its board. The moves reflect a broader focus on investment strategy, claims modernization, and stronger fraud governance across the industry.(Josh Recamara, 5/6/2026, Insurance Business, Insurance moves: Generali, Fortegra, Aon and IFB)Texel has appointed long-serving Deputy CEO William Shaw as Chief Executive, completing a three-year succession plan and signalling leadership continuity at the specialist broker. The move also reinforces Texel’s commitment to long-term independence, following its transition to employee ownership in 2025.(Mark Rosanes, 4/6/2026, Insurance Business, William Shaw to take helm at Texel as succession plan completes)HDI Global has appointed Simon Hunt as permanent CEO for the UK and Ireland, following several months in the interim role, to lead the business’s next phase of growth under its Xcelerate29 strategy. He officially took up the role on June 1, with the insurer highlighting his focus on disciplined growth, technology and data investment, and strong broker and client service. (Camille Joyce Lisay, 3/6/2026, Insurance Business, HDI Global appoints Simon Hunt as UK, Ireland CEO)Hamilton, Markel and Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance have all made senior leadership moves, including Hamilton hiring former Chubb executive Jamie Keaney to lead a new high-net-worth business line, Markel appointing Dan McCarthy to head its restructured marine, energy and construction division, and BHSI expanding Ben Wyatt’s marine leadership role across North America and the UK. (Jonalyn Cueto, 3/6/2026, Insurance Business, Insurance moves: Hamilton, Markel, BHSI)Marco Capital has secured High Court approval for a Part VII transfer of Inceptum Insurance liabilities to British Reserve Insurance Company Ltd, a move the company said will improve operational and capital efficiency within its UK legacy platform. (Jonalyn Cueto, 3/6/2026, Insurance Business, Marco Capital completes Part VII transfer of Inceptum Insurance liabilities)Gallagher, Beazley and Sompo have announced senior hires and expansion plans, with Gallagher adding Laura Repko to its London capital solutions team, Beazley naming Stefan Wunderlich to lead alternative risk transfer in Bermuda, and Sompo appointing Bart Van Gysegem as it opens new offices in Brussels and Rotterdam. (Josh Recamara, 2/6/2026, Insurance Business, Insurance moves: Gallagher, Beazley and Sompo)Santam Syndicate 1918 has appointed Sam Geddes as CEO as it continues building out its Lloyd’s platform and underwriting presence. Geddes joins from MS Amlin with more than 25 years of Lloyd’s and international market experience and is expected to lead the syndicate’s next phase of growth in line with Santam Group’s FutureFit 2030 ambitions. His appointment follows a period of rapid expansion for the business, which received final approval to underwrite from January 2026 and is targeting more than £300 million in gross written premium for 2026.(Jonalyn Cueto, 1/6/2026, Insurance Business, Santam Syndicate 1918 names Geddes as CEO)Not subscribed yet? Subscribe for the latest news, market trends, and weekly insights - all delivered straight to your inbox.All information provided in this market digest has been gathered from Insurance Business and IDEX Consulting.

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The rise of chartered status: What it means for hiring and performance in financial planning

The UK financial planning market is shifting. While chartered professionals still make up a minority of the overall adviser market, their numbers are steadily climbing. More firms now encourage their advisers to push past the standard diploma level. This shift in expectations changes how we hire, develop, and evaluate senior talent.As firms look to build highly capable teams, they must understand why chartered status matters, how it impacts performance, and what they can do to support their advisers on this challenging path.The growing benchmark for senior rolesFirms increasingly view chartered status as a clear benchmark of technical competence, professionalism, and a firm commitment to ongoing development. Many businesses now list it as a core requirement when recruiting for senior financial planner roles. Chartered firms, in particular, prefer to employ chartered advisers. As a result, lacking this qualification can sometimes limit an adviser's career options and earning potential.Does chartered status guarantee better performance?You might assume that holding chartered status automatically makes someone a top performer. However, we know this is not always the case. While chartered status proves technical skill, strong performance in financial planning relies heavily on interpersonal skills, client relationship management, communication, and business development.In fact, many diploma-qualified advisers consistently outperform their chartered peers. These exceptional performers succeed because they build deep client relationships, leverage strong referral networks, and draw on years of practical experience. Qualifications give you a solid foundation, but they do not determine your ability to build trust or grow a successful client bank. The very best advisers combine high-level technical expertise with outstanding commercial and relationship-building skills.The challenges of becoming charteredIf this qualification holds so much value, why don't more planners have it? Time remains the biggest hurdle. Advisers must balance rigorous studying with managing busy client banks and driving business growth. Finding the hours to prepare for complex exams is incredibly difficult.Beyond time, the financial cost of courses and the intense pressure of professional exams act as significant deterrents. Planners need strong motivation and excellent time management to see the process through.How firms can support professional growthTo help advisers overcome these barriers, firms need to step up. Companies can support their planners by providing structured development pathways, dedicated study leave, and financial backing for exams and materials. When businesses invest in their planners' education, they build a more technically capable team and boost long-term retention.The future of adviser standardsLooking ahead, chartered status will likely cement its place as the standard benchmark for senior and high-performing advisers. If you want a long-term career in financial planning, pursuing this path is well worth the effort. It builds technical knowledge, opens career doors, and boosts your professional credibility.However, qualifications alone will never fully define adviser quality. Building deep trust with clients and gaining hands-on experience remain just as crucial for long-term success.Build a high-performing teamFinding the right balance between technical qualifications and practical experience is key to building a top-tier advisory firm. Take time to assess your current talent strategy to ensure you support professional growth while highly valuing essential relationship skills.Contact our recruitment team today to find out how we can help you attract, develop, and retain the best financial planning talent in the market.

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General Insurance newsletter Friday 29th May 2026

Insurance NewsGI market priorities, growth drivers, and BIBA advice: Insights from six insurance leaders at BIBA 2026 - Check out this video to hear Kate Gregory, Mike Latham, Nicholas Hartley, Philip Thorn, Richard Brown, and Robert Corner share their perspectives on the changes brokers and MGAs can't afford to ignore, what separates growing firms from those standing still, the one piece of advice every insurance leader should hear before attending BIBA, and a bonus question worth watching through to the end for. (IDEX Consulting news, 'GI market priorities, growth drivers, and BIBA advice: Insights from six insurance leaders at BIBA 2026')UK vs US general insurance market: Insights from John Tallarida of Costero Brokers - In this Q&A, John Tallarida co-founder and CEO of Costero Brokers, shares his perspective on the differences between the UK and US general insurance markets, highlighting Lloyd’s unique value, London’s concentration of talent, and the importance of direct relationships, cultural fit, and long-term strategy for brokers expanding internationally. (IDEX Consulting news, 'UK vs US general insurance market: Insights from John Tallarida of Costero Brokers')Benchmark your earnings with confidence - The IDEX Salary Calculator delivers reliable compensation data tailored specifically to General Insurance and Financial Services professionals. Instantly check your current pay against the latest market trends to ensure your compensation package truly reflects your expertise. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Benchmark your earnings with confidence')Discover the true value of your firm - Built specifically for brokers, insurers, and MGAs, our complimentary valuation tool delivers a clear estimate in seconds. Simply enter your company profile, revenue, and profit details to receive the actionable data you need to drive your strategy forward with confidence. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Discover the true value of your firm')According to Julia Coakley, COO at the MGAA, technology and fresh capital are expanding the role of MGAs in specialty distribution, strengthening their position through specialist underwriting expertise, faster decision-making, enhanced data and digital capabilities, and more agile access to niche and complex markets. (Bryony Garlick, 28/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Technology and capital expand MGA role in specialty distribution') Aegon has agreed a new governance framework with its largest shareholder, Vereniging Aegon, to support its planned US relocation, including share structure simplification, US-aligned governance changes, and the creation of a new Dutch foundation to carry forward its charitable legacy. (Jonalyn Cueto, 28/5/2026, Insurance Business, Aegon reaches shareholder deal ahead of US move) Amiga Specialty has secured £25 million of A-rated Lloyd’s capacity with global licensing for its yachts division, giving the MGA a stronger platform to expand internationally across the US, Europe and Southeast Asia with a specialist underwriting proposition. (Josh Recamara, 28/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Amiga Specialty secures Lloyd's capacity for global yachts push') Marsh’s Global Transactional Risk Insurance Claims Report 2026 found W&I claims paid to clients reached nearly US$650 million in 2025, with financial statement breaches driving the most severe losses and UK notification volumes surging 150%. (Josh Recamara, 28/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'W&I claims hit US$650 million as financial statement breaches drive severity surge') UK brokers are still hiring at pace, but retention has become the bigger challenge as firms grapple with ageing talent pools, weaker junior pipelines, rising salary pressure and growing demand for digital skills, making professional development increasingly critical to long-term workforce stability. (Josh Recamara, 28/5/2026, Insurance Business, Brokers are still hiring but the real battle is keeping staff: report) Claud Bilbao, VP of underwriting and distribution for UK and Australia at Cowbell, said cyber risk is increasingly being viewed as an operational and financial threat rather than just an IT issue, as business interruption, supply chain vulnerabilities, and ransomware push businesses and insurers to focus more heavily on resilience, recovery, and continuity planning. (Bryony Garlick, 26/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Cyber risk is becoming an operational threat rather than an IT problem')Guidewire’s 2026 European Insurance Consumer Survey suggests insurer AI adoption is outpacing consumer trust, with more than a quarter of customers saying nothing would increase their confidence and many still prioritising human review, transparency and oversight in AI-driven decisions. (Rod Bolivar, 26/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'One in four consumers unconvinced by insurers' use of AI - survey') SiriusPoint’s Nestor Lopez said the reinsurer’s transformation is centred on modernising bordereaux management, building a stronger enterprise data foundation and applying AI with clear governance to improve underwriting, operational efficiency and profitable growth. (Susan Essex, 28/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'How SiriusPoint’s Nestor Lopez is re-wiring reinsurance for the data and AI age') Coversure has opened a new office in Watford, its sixth this year, with industry veteran Nabeela Qureshi leading the team as the network continues to expand on the back of record growth and rising demand for community-based broking support. (Jonalyn Cueto, 27/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Coversure opens Watford office, its sixth this year') Insurance leaders including Pen Underwriting’s Tom Downey said market access alone is no longer enough for MGAs, with long-term success increasingly defined by underwriting expertise, data quality, operational discipline and strong capacity relationships. (Bryony Garlick, 27/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Market access is no longer enough for MGAs')Mergers and AcquisitionsHowden Ireland has agreed to acquire Dublin-based Opes Wealth Trust, its second deal of 2026, as it expands its financial advisory platform and adds retirement and investment planning expertise for self-employed, business owner and private clients, subject to regulatory approval. (Josh Recamara, 29/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Howden Ireland snaps up Dublin wealth firm in second acquisition of 2026')DB Insurance is set to take control of Fortegra in a $1.65 billion cash acquisition, with the deal entering its final stage ahead of an expected close on May 29. (Rob Bolivar, 26/5/2026, Insurance Business, '$1.65 billion Fortegra deal edges closer')Adler Fairways has acquired the insurance broking arm of W B Baxter, with CEO Anthony Adler describing the deal as a strategic and cultural fit that expands the group’s regional presence while preserving the brokerage’s long-standing client relationships. (Jonalyn Cueto, 26/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Adler Fairways acquires W B Baxter broking arm')Insurance-focused legal firm HF has acquired around 40 staff from Rosling King LLP following the firm’s administration, adding dispute resolution, insolvency, and real estate expertise while preserving continuity for clients and employees. (Jonalyn Cueto, 27/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'HF acquires Rosling King team') MovesFurtherAI has appointed Tom Bradley to lead its UK and EU Operations, ORX has named Giulio Mignola as Board Chair, and Britannia P&I Club has promoted Helen Todd to Chief Underwriting Officer while moving Simon Williams into the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer as each business sharpens its leadership for growth, risk management, and AI-driven market change. (Josh Recamara, 29/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: ORX, FurtherAI and Britannia P&I Club')Aon plc has appointed Hoffman as global CEO of Commercial Risk, effective June 1, 2026, where he will lead the global commercial risk business, report to Joe Peiser, and bring more than 25 years of insurance and financial services experience gained across senior leadership roles at Aon and Chubb. (Jonalyn Cueto, 27/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Aon, Previsico, and Rokstone Agriculture')London-based flood forecasting insurtech Previsico has appointed Trumper as CEO to lead its next phase of growth, bringing experience from his five-year tenure as Managing Director at Axco Insurance Information to support operational scale-up in the UK and international expansion, particularly in the US. (Jonalyn Cueto, 27/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Aon, Previsico, and Rokstone Agriculture') Rokstone Agriculture Farm and Ranch has appointed Rusnak as Senior Underwriter, adding more than 15 years of experience across underwriting, operations, product development and compliance as the division builds on record growth in 2026. (Jonalyn Cueto, 27/6/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Aon, Previsico, and Rokstone Agriculture')Not subscribed yet? Subscribe for the latest news, market trends, and weekly insights - all delivered straight to your inbox.All information provided in this market digest has been gathered from Insurance Business and IDEX Consulting.

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Financial Services newsletter Friday 29th May 2026

Financial Services NewsDeVere has launched its first licensed Canadian operation in Toronto after FSRA approval, expanding its international footprint to meet rising demand from globally mobile and expat clients for cross-border financial advice spanning insurance, protection, tax, retirement, estate planning, and wealth structuring. (Financial Planning Today, 27/5/2026, 'DeVere expands into Canada')Owen James Events is launching a new Festival of Finance in Birmingham on 29 September, bringing together around 500 financial planners, wealth managers and industry leaders for a one-day event focused on strategy, innovation, CPD and sector insight. (Financial Planning Today, 26/5/2026, 'Owen James launches Festival of Finance event')New Continuum research suggests women are now slightly more likely than men to seek professional financial advice, with 20% of women saying they expect to use an independent financial adviser in future versus 19% of men. (Financial Planning Today, 22/5/2026, 'Women surpass men for first time in seeking financial advice')Fairstone has converted four Dimensional-powered MPS portfolios into new IFSL Fairstone Systematic funds with about £600m in assets, a move it says will lower client charges by around 20% while maintaining the same investment approach and improving efficiency. (Financial Planning Today, 22/5/2026, 'Fairstone converts four MPS portfolios to funds')The FCA has launched a new Scale-up Unit to give fast-growing, solo-regulated financial services firms tailored regulatory support, as part of a wider push to help the sector expand sustainably and contribute more to UK economic growth. (Financial Planning Today, 20/5/2026, 'FCA opens business growth unit to help firms scale up')The FCA has warned financial planning firms to ignore scam text messages falsely claiming to be from the regulator about a data breach, stressing that genuine MyFCA login codes will not include an 0800 number and that it will never ask for bank details, PINs or passwords. (Financial Planning Today, 19/5/2026, 'FCA warns of scam data breach text messages')Aviva reported a strong start to 2026, with wealth net flows rising 49% to £3.3bn in Q1, although protection sales dipped 2% to £88m and retirement sales fell to £1.1bn. (Financial Planning Today, 14/5/2026, 'Aviva reports 49% rise in wealth net flows in Q1')Fidelity International has launched two new global equity funds, a Global Smaller Companies Fund and a Global Founders Fund, giving investors access to more differentiated strategies for global equity exposure. (Financial Planning Today, 12/5/2026, 'Fidelity launches 2 global equity funds') UK IFA consolidation hit a record 133 deals in 2025, up from 50 in 2020, as private equity-backed buyers and larger wealth platforms accelerated acquisitions of smaller firms amid adviser retirements, rising regulation and growing interest from US investors. (Financial Planning Today, 11/5/2026, 'IFA consolidation climbs almost a third in five years')Quilter Financial Planning has added eight new appointed representative firms to its network: Quantus Wealth Management, Marston & Co, Control Point Wealth, Alto Integra Wealth Management, AK Private Wealth, Everstone Wealth, Henley & Co Wealth Management, and Sterling Financial Wealth, with Managing Director Warren Vickers saying more advisers are choosing the model to launch their own businesses while retaining regulatory, operational and investment support. (Financial Planning Today, 7/5/2026, 'Quilter adds 8 new ARs to network') The FCA has launched a review of the claims management market over concerns about aggressive marketing, misleading adverts and unfair fees, after already forcing changes to 800 adverts, helping more than 28,000 consumers exit contracts for free and securing fee reductions from three CMCs that protected over 500,000 consumers. (Financial Planning Today, 6/5/2026, 'FCA launches claims management review') Söderberg & Partners Platform, Seccl and Plannr have launched phase two of their API-first integration, enabling advisers to open and manage platform accounts end-to-end in one system, backed by businesses with significant scale including Söderberg’s £81bn in AUM/AUA, Seccl’s £3bn in portfolios across 300,000+ investors, and nearly 60,000 new investors onboarded since January. (Financial Planning Today, 5/5/2026, Söderberg, 'Seccl and Plannr ramp up integration')Secure top-tier Financial Services talent - Finding the perfect fit for your team does not have to be a slow process. We use our deep industry roots and vast connections to match you with standout professionals quickly. Partner with us to bring in skilled experts who will stay for the long haul and drive real growth for your business. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Secure top-tier Financial Services talent')Check if your salary is in line with market rates - Ensure your salary aligns with industry standards using the IDEX Salary Calculator. Designed specifically for Financial Services professionals, this tool provides precise benchmarks based on your role, helping you compare your current pay to market rates. Gain valuable insights into your earning potential and make informed decisions about your career progression or next opportunity. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Check if your salary is in line with market rates')Biggest challenges facing Financial Advisers - Financial advisers continue to face challenging economic pressures, and growing regulatory changes, as well as rising client expectations. Many are also contending with market uncertainty and the potential risks of AI in financial advising. Despite these challenges, many opportunities exist – we share what financial advisers should know and the action they should take now. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Biggest challenges facing Financial Advisers')Mergers and AcquisitionsFairstone is accelerating its consolidation strategy with plans for more than 20 acquisitions this year, having already completed 8 deals in Q1 that added £2bn in assets under management, with another 13 acquisitions in the pipeline. (Financial Planning Today, 27/5/2026, Fairstone plans 20+ acquisitions in 2026)AAB Wealth has acquired Jane Smith Financial Planning for an undisclosed sum, lifting its assets under advice to more than £2.5bn and adding the Olney-based firm and its nine staff to the group. (Financial Planning Today, 21/5/2026, AAB Wealth acquires Bucks Chartered Planner)French wealth manager Groupe Allen has entered the UK market by acquiring London-based Altyx Financial Planning for an undisclosed sum, giving it a local foothold to serve French nationals and cross-border clients with international wealth planning needs. (Financial Planning Today, 13/5/2026, 'French wealth manager enters UK market with IFA deal')Absolute Financial Group has added £577 million in assets under advice through the acquisitions of Allied Financial Services, Millcroft Wealth, Mackenzie Financial Planning, and RSJ Financial Planning, strengthening its presence in the North West as Chief Executive David Carter continues to scale the business through targeted deals.(Financial Planning Today, 7/5/2026, 'Absolute adds £577m in AUA with 4 acquisitions') Corbel has completed its 18th acquisition since 2023 under its succession model, backed by £10m in funding from Beechbrook Capital and a further £500,000 investment in its Finpath technology platform, as the independent network grows its 189-member base toward a target of 250 advisers by end-2026. (Financial Planning Today, 7/5/2026, 'IFA network Corbel lands 18th acquisition')Aberdeen Investments will take over management of Herald Investment Trust and the £1.6bn Herald Worldwide Technology Fund under a deal with Saba Capital that ends their standoff and could provide a template for resolving activist investor disputes in the investment trust sector. (Financial Planning Today, 7/5/2026, 'Aberdeen strikes deal with Saba to end standoff')Isio has agreed to acquire AI-led fintech and investment firm Collidr, subject to FCA approval, in a deal that would bolster its wealth and MPS capabilities while adding a business that manages more than £3.8bn in assets across technology and regulated investment management. (Financial Planning Today, 6/5/2026, 'Isio acquires AI-driven fintech')London-based advice firm Advies has acquired St Andrews Financial, adding about £200m in assets under advice and 300 clients, with founder James Hickson joining as executive IFA as the business is rebranded and integrated over the next year. (Financial Planning Today, 6/5/2026, 'London-based Planner acquires £200m AUM boutique IFA')Clifton Wealth Partnership has acquired Dukes IFA, adding 170 clients and £43m in AUM in its fourth deal of the year, as the Bristol-based consolidator continues its acquisition drive backed by a business serving 15,000+ clients with £3.7bn in AUM. (Financial Planning Today, 5/5/2026, 'Clifton acquires £43m AUM Herts Financial Planner')WBR Group has acquired Carpenter Rees’ SSAS book as part of its long-term expansion strategy, adding to a recent deal trail that includes Standard Life’s £403m SSAS book and Rowanmoor’s 3,500-SSAS portfolio, while moving Carpenter Rees clients onto WBR’s dedicated account-manager model. (Financial Planning Today, 5/5/2026, 'WBR acquires Carpenter Rees’ SSAS book')Shackleton has acquired Surrey-based Arundel Wealth Management for an undisclosed sum, adding more than £200m in assets and strengthening its presence in the South East as it expands its specialist financial planning offering for sports professionals. (Financial Planning Today, 1/5/2026, 'Shackleton acquires £200m AUA sports specialist Planner')The Private Office has secured FCA change of control approval for a minority investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives, giving the Chartered financial planning firm additional backing for its next phase of growth while keeping its focus on independent, planning-led advice. (Financial Planning Today, 1/5/2026, 'Goldman Sach's stake in The Private Office approved by FCA')MoversTavistock has appointed former Lifetime CEO Ian Dickinson to its board as a Non-Executive Director following its £6m acquisition of a controlling stake in Lifetime, strengthening its push to scale AI-powered hybrid advice and support its broader Vertex rebrand and industry disruption strategy. (Financial Planning Today, 29/5/2026, 'Ex-Lifetime CEO joins Tavistock board in AI boost')Former Pensions Minister Guy Opperman has joined pension tracing fintech Raindrop as a Non-Executive Director, as the business looks to accelerate growth across the UK pensions and wealth market after helping recover more than £1.6bn from over 172,000 lost pension pots. (Financial Planning Today, 22/5/2026, Former pensions minister joins fintech board)Cooper Parry Wealth has appointed Chris Davies as Client Relationship Director and Paul Holbrook as Business Development Director to strengthen its presence in Birmingham and across the Midlands, with Davies set to support business owners and senior executives through major life and wealth events, while Holbrook brings more than 20 years of financial services experience, including 14 years at HSBC, where he most recently served as Regional Director for the East Midlands. (Financial Planning Today, 15/5/2026, 'Cooper Parry sets sights on Midlands growth with senior hires') The Investment Association has appointed former Treasury Financial Services Director John Owen as its new Chief Executive, succeeding Chris Cummings and bringing extensive experience in regulation, public policy and financial services strategy. (Financial Planning Today, 15/5/2026, 'IA selects ex-senior civil servant as new CEO') TISA Chief Executive Carol Knight will step down in August after four years in the top role and 22 years with the organisation, with the trade body now beginning the search for her successor. (Financial Planning Today, 15/5/2026, Hunt for new TISA CEO begins as incumbent steps down)The FCA has appointed Johan Sekora as Chief Operating Officer from the start of June and confirmed Simon Walls as Executive Director of Markets, strengthening its leadership team with Sekora bringing 25 years of financial services experience from SEB and HSBC, and Walls offering deep institutional knowledge built over two decades at the regulator and earlier experience at the Bank of England. (Financial Planning Today, 14/5/2026, 'FCA adds new Nordic AI specialist as COO')Foster Denovo has promoted Chief Operating Officer Helen Lovett to the newly created role of Group Managing Director, where she will work alongside CEO Roger Brosch to drive strategy, financial performance and operational delivery across the business. (Financial Planning Today, 12/5/2026, 'Foster Denovo appoints group managing director')Financial Planner Grant Lymer has joined Plymouth-based national advice firm Continuum as an Independent Financial Adviser, bringing nine years’ experience and a focus on retirement, investments, protection and estate planning. (Financial Planning Today, 8/5/2026, 'Financial Planner joins Continuum from One Four Nine')The Chartered Insurance Institute has appointed Ben Turner as Executive Director of Member Engagement with immediate effect and Will Holt as Executive Director of Learning from 3 August, strengthening its leadership team with two senior hires: Turner was promoted from his role as Director of Engagement Strategy and brings 15 years’ experience in membership leadership across professional bodies, while Holt joins from ICAEW, where he was Managing Director of Education and training, having also held senior roles at Pearson College London. (Financial Planning Today, 1/5/2026, 'CII appoints two new executive directors') Not subscribed yet? Subscribe for the latest news, market trends, and weekly insights - all delivered straight to your inbox.All information in this market digest has been sourced from Financial Planning Today and IDEX Consulting.

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General Insurance newsletter Friday 22nd May 2026

Insurance NewsUK vs US general insurance market: Insights from John Tallarida of Costero Brokers - In this Q&A, John Tallarida co-founder and CEO of Costero Brokers, shares his perspective on the differences between the UK and US general insurance markets, highlighting Lloyd’s unique value, London’s concentration of talent, and the importance of direct relationships, cultural fit, and long-term strategy for brokers expanding internationally. (IDEX Consulting news, 'UK vs US general insurance market: Insights from John Tallarida of Costero Brokers')Private Equity is changing. What it means for insurance and wealth businesses - With tougher market conditions, the focus has moved from financial engineering to operational growth. Strong leadership, governance, and scalability are now key, as consolidation accelerates and talent becomes critical for success. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Private Equity is changing. What it means for insurance and wealth businesses')Benchmark your earnings with confidence - The IDEX Salary Calculator delivers reliable compensation data tailored specifically to General Insurance and Financial Services professionals. Instantly check your current pay against the latest market trends to ensure your compensation package truly reflects your expertise. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Benchmark your earnings with confidence')Discover the true value of your firm - Built specifically for brokers, insurers, and MGAs, our complimentary valuation tool delivers a clear estimate in seconds. Simply enter your company profile, revenue, and profit details to receive the actionable data you need to drive your strategy forward with confidence. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Discover the true value of your firm')Helios Underwriting reported a 12.3% NAV total return for 2025, with NAV per share rising to £2.63 and profit before tax reaching £20.5 million, as the Lloyd’s-focused investor increased shareholder distributions, launched a new share buyback programme and continued simplifying its business ahead of softer market rating conditions. (Jonalyn Cueto, 22/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Helios posts 12.3% NAV return for 2025')ARAG Group reported €3.16 billion in gross written premiums for 2025, up 13.2% year on year and ahead of its €3 billion target five years early, with growth supported by double-digit gains in both German and international business, an improved underwriting result, a lower combined ratio and continued momentum into the first quarter of 2026. (Jonalyn Cueto, 22/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'ARAG Group posts €3.16b in premiums for 2025')Hiscox has expanded its “The Most Disastrous Campaign Ever” into its first TV advertising push in nearly a decade, using deliberately malfunctioning ads to highlight the real-world risks small businesses face and build on a broader campaign that has already lifted brand awareness, online search activity and sales. (Jonalyn Cueto, 22/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Hiscox takes disruptive campaign to TV')Howden has launched a dedicated US Aviation Practice, led by Julio Jimenez, to expand its specialty capabilities in the US by offering risk advisory and insurance placement for aviation and aerospace clients amid increasingly complex exposures, geopolitical volatility and strong demand for specialist expertise in a consolidating market. (Josh Recamara, 22/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Howden targets US aviation growth with new specialty practice')Westfield Specialty reported strong Q1 2026 results, with gross written premium up 31% to US$559 million and a profitable 95.7% combined ratio, as it continued expanding its US and international specialty platforms through diversified underwriting, technology investment and recent build-out across Lloyd’s, Europe and other global markets. (Josh Recamara, 22/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Westfield Specialty eyes scale in specialty push with strong Q1 result')Tokio Marine posted record fiscal 2025 underlying profit of ¥711.6 billion and adjusted net income of ¥1.2 trillion, driven by strong overseas underwriting performance - particularly in the US and Brazil - even as domestic non-life profit fell, underscoring the group’s growing reliance on international earnings and broader capital management moves including its Berkshire Hathaway tie-up, higher dividend forecast and planned share buybacks. (Kenneth Araullo, 21/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Overseas earnings power Tokio Marine to record fiscal 2025')At BIBA 2026, insurance leaders said AI is already improving underwriting speed, pricing, and broker service, but warned that adoption is outpacing governance, exposing firms to accountability and explainability gaps, consumer duty and professional indemnity risks, operational resilience issues if systems fail, and unmanaged “shadow AI” use by employees - making strong board oversight and human-in-the-loop controls essential. (Bryony Garlick, 20/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'AI opportunity is real, but so is the legal and operational exposure')HDI Global reported a strong Q1, with operating profit up 6% to €207 million and net income up 8% to €152 million, supported by disciplined underwriting, lower large-loss claims, improved investment income, and a 91.0% combined ratio that keeps the insurer on track for its full-year profitability target. (Kenneth Araullo, 20/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'HDI Global lifts Q1 operating profit 6% on disciplined underwriting')MS Amlin delivered a standout 2025, with profit after tax up nearly 80% to £268 million, driven by disciplined underwriting, strong premium growth, improved insurance service and financial results, and a combined operating ratio of 83.0%, despite catastrophe losses and softening rates in parts of the market. (Kenneth Araullo, 20/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'MS Amlin profit jumps 80% to £268m in standout 2025')DUAL UK has secured new AXA-backed capacity for its Natural Resources product, giving it up to £50 million in cover for mid- to large-scale renewable energy projects such as solar, wind and hydro, as it expands its role in the energy transition; the facility was developed by Steve Kelly, who joined in 2025 and brings more than 35 years of insurance experience across construction and natural resources. (Josh Recamara, 20/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'DUAL secures AXA capacity to power £50 million renewables play')QBE has warned that AI-related supply chain risk is putting pressure on UK cyber portfolios, with its latest research showing 75% of businesses are concerned about suppliers’ use of AI but fewer than a third are auditing those systems, highlighting growing aggregation and systemic loss exposure for insurers. (Josh Recamara, 20/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'AI supply chain risk puts UK cyber portfolios under pressure – QBE')In further news...UK businesses are adopting AI faster than they can govern it, with QBE research showing 97% are already using or exploring the technology but only 35% of AI-using firms have a formal governance policy, leaving many more exposed to rising cyber and supply chain risks. (Kenneth Araullo, 19/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'UK firms race to adopt AI faster than they can govern it')Aon is launching its Digital Placement Exchange for the London Market in the second half of 2026, using structured data and algorithmic trading to modernise Follow Line placements, reduce manual friction and give brokers and insurers faster, more predictable access to capital, with more than a dozen insurers expected to join at launch. (Kenneth Araullo, 18/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Aon launches digital placement exchange for London Market')Mergers and AcquisitionsSouth Wales Insurance Brokers has completed a strategic buy-in to Fisher Insure to expand its regional reach while preserving client continuity, with both firms continuing under their existing names during a gradual transition and founders Carl Fisher and Chris Harvey working together to maintain a relationship-led, local service model. (Jonalyn Cueto, 22/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'South Wales Insurance Brokers buys into Fisher Insure')Hiscox shares hit record highs after reports that Canada’s Intact Financial is considering a potential takeover of the FTSE 100 specialty insurer, a move that would fit Intact’s commercial and specialty expansion strategy while highlighting continued overseas interest in UK-listed insurance platforms with strong Lloyd’s franchises. (Josh Recamara, 18/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Intact–Hiscox deal talk adds to wave of foreign bids for UK names: Report')MarshBerry said M&A in the UK investment sector is accelerating a shift from privately owned local firms to institutionally backed regional and national groups, with deal values above £5 million reaching a record £19.7 billion in 2025 as private equity and overseas buyers drove larger transactions and expanded buy-and-build strategies across the market. (Kenneth Araullo, 18/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Buy-and-build boom transforms UK investment landscape – MarshBerry')MovesMarkel Insurance has appointed Danny O'Donoghue as Head of Fine Art and Specie in London, effective immediately, to expand the portfolio across fine art, specie, jewellers block and cash in transit while leading broker engagement, supporting underwriter development, aligning coverage with claims and actuarial teams, and pursuing cross-border growth opportunities. (Kenneth Araullo, 21/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Markel, Arch, Liberty Specialty Markets')Arch Insurance France has appointed Charlotte Jephos as Claims Manager, effective immediately, to oversee claims across France for cyber, casualty and executive assurance lines; based in Paris and reporting to Ray Graham, she joins from Beazley after earlier claims roles at AIG and previously worked as a Litigation Lawyer, bringing more than 10 years of market experience. (Kenneth Araullo, 21/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Markel, Arch, Liberty Specialty Markets')Liberty Specialty Markets has appointed Monique Kooijman as General Manager for the Netherlands, Belgium and the Nordics, subject to regulatory approval, with the Netherlands-based executive joining from Everest and bringing more than 30 years of international insurance experience, including senior leadership roles at Chubb and CNA Hardy, to drive regional growth and broker relationships while reporting to Liberty Europe president Pierre-Edouard Fraigneau. (Kenneth Araullo, 21/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Markel, Arch, Liberty Specialty Markets')Aon has named Kai-Frank Buechter and Tracy-Lee Kus co-CEOs of EMEA, effective June 1, with Buechter overseeing Continental Europe and North Africa and Kus leading the UK, Ireland, South Africa, and the Middle East; both are seasoned Aon leaders, with Buechter bringing 26+ years at the firm including CEO roles across DACH and Aon Risk Solutions Germany, while Kus brings 30+ years of underwriting and broking experience across South Africa, the UK, and Asia, most recently leading Aon’s Global Broking Center and previously holding senior regional leadership roles in APAC, North Asia, and UK financial and professional services. (Kenneth Araullo, 20/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Aon taps new EMEA co-CEOs in major leadership shakeup')HIVE Underwriting has appointed James Lee as a Non-Executive Director, effective May 19, adding board strength as it expands as a multi-class specialty MGA; Lee brings 40+ years of Lloyd’s market experience, including more than two decades at Atrium Underwriters where he served as agency Managing Director and Group COO and helped build a scalable underwriting platform. (Josh Recamara, 20/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: HIVE Underwriting and Kingfisher')Kingfisher Insurance has promoted Gareth Butler to Managing Director to support its growth strategy and specialist broking ambitions; previously Head of Corporate Risks at the firm, Butler brings 35+ years of market experience, including senior roles at PIB and Aon, where he led affinity, partnership, and broking initiatives across commercial and personal lines. (Josh Recamara, 20/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: HIVE Underwriting and Kingfisher')HDI Global is reshaping its executive board under its Xcelerate29 strategy, appointing Thomas Kropp as COO and CIO from July 1 to replace Dr Thomas Kuhnt; Kropp brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across insurance and technology, with a background overseeing global IT, infrastructure and operations in the US, Asia and Europe. (Kenneth Araullo, 19/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'HDI Global shakes up executive board under Xcelerate29 plan')CFC has appointed industry veteran John Howard as Chair, subject to regulatory approval, as it accelerates its US expansion; Howard brings more than 30 years of insurance experience and previously served as Chairman and CEO of Truist Insurance Holdings, with additional board roles at Everest Group, Compre Group and The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers. (Kenneth Araullo, 18/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'CFC taps John Howard as chair as it eyes accelerated US expansion')Allianz Partners has appointed four senior health leaders - Marco Fattori, Gordon Delaney, Cyril Samson and Paul Hogan - drawing on experience from Allianz, Cigna, AXA, Gerling and Mapfre to strengthen its segment-led model and boost growth, client service and commercial performance across global and regional health insurance markets. (Kenneth Araullo, 18/5/2026, Insurance Business, 'Allianz Partners names four senior leaders in health overhaul')Not subscribed yet? Subscribe for the latest news, market trends, and weekly insights - all delivered straight to your inbox.All information provided in this market digest has been gathered from Insurance Business and IDEX Consulting.

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