General Insurance newsletter Friday 18th July 2025

Insurance News

"Our members have achieved double digit growth" - the number one network for brokers - Brokerbility, led by Managing Director John Dunn, positions itself as a boutique network for independent brokers, offering a collaborative community, strategic partnerships, and innovative tools like a bespoke Broker Insights platform. The network supports members with training, peer mentoring, and growth strategies, helping most achieve double-digit growth annually. (IDEX Consulting news, "Our members have achieved double digit growth" - the number one network for brokers')
Nuclear energy: threat or opportunity for insurers? - Nuclear fusion energy, nearing commercial viability, presents insurers with a transformative opportunity. With its inherent safety and minimal environmental risks, fusion demands a shift from outdated fission-era exclusions to tailored coverage. Insurers are urged to embrace affirmative policies, enabling this clean energy revolution while unlocking a vast new market. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Nuclear energy: threat or opportunity for insurers?')
A smarter way to hire to keep employees for longer - In today’s competitive talent market, mastering the interview process is essential for employers to secure top talent. Structured frameworks, diverse panels, and AI-powered tools can significantly enhance hiring outcomes. By adopting evidence-based techniques and addressing biases, businesses can reduce costly hiring mistakes and build stronger, more effective teams. (IDEX Consulting news, 'A smarter way to hire to keep employees for longer')
How IDEX can boost your business growth - IDEX Consulting played a pivotal role in helping Hillier Buchan, a family-owned independent broker, transition smoothly to new ownership while preserving its client-focused ethos. By connecting the firm with the right buyer, IDEX enabled operational scaling, growth opportunities, and a seamless retirement plan for the owner, ensuring long-term success for the business and its clients. (IDEX Consulting news, 'How IDEX can boost your business growth')
Aviva has doubled its offshore renewable energy underwriting capacity to £150 million, aiming to strengthen its position in the global renewables market by supporting larger, complex offshore wind projects and enhancing risk management through specialised teams and leadership. (Josh Recamara, 18/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Aviva doubles offshore renewable energy capacity to £150 million')
Gallagher has launched the Evolve Power facility, a portfolio tracker providing automatic follow-line capacity for conventional power sector risks, leveraging Lloyd’s syndicates and smart follow technology to streamline access to additional capacity and enhance placement efficiency. (Josh Recamara, 18/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Gallagher expands Evolve strategy with new power portfolio tracker')
Clear Group achieved 11% organic growth in Q1 2025, driven by acquisitions, platform integration, and investments in talent and technology, while expanding its footprint across the UK, Ireland, and Europe, supported by its partnership with Goldman Sachs. (Josh Recamara, 18/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Clear Group reports double-digit organic growth')
Howden has been appointed by Gold Standard to assess insurance policies for carbon credits under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), aiming to enhance market confidence, attract institutional capital, and support credible carbon credit issuance for aviation emissions compliance. (Josh Recamara, 18/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Howden to assess insurance cover for carbon credits in aviation offset scheme')
Travelers exceeded Q2 profit expectations with a 4% rise in net written premiums to $11.5 billion, driven by strong underwriting, reduced catastrophe losses, and a 6% increase in investment income, resulting in adjusted earnings of $6.51 per share, far surpassing analyst estimates.(Steven Byerley, 17/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Travelers blows past Q2 profit expectations')
ARAG SE is exiting the Australian market after six years due to unmet business expectations, while continuing to service existing policies, and acknowledges its role in introducing legal expense insurance in Australia. (Daniel Wood, 18/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'ARAG ceases operation in Australia')
Marsh McLennan reported $7 billion in Q2 2025 revenue, a 12% year-over-year increase, driven by strong performance in risk and consulting segments, acquisitions, and double-digit growth in its broking arm. (Gia Snape, 17/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Marsh McLennan secures $7 billion quarter')

Pen Underwriting expanded its partnership with SiriusPoint, securing 100% capacity for its international professional indemnity portfolio, leveraging SiriusPoint's 15+ years of underwriting expertise and building on their existing strategic alliance across social housing, marine, and PI sectors. (Jonalyn Cueto, 17/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Pen Underwriting expands partnership with SiriusPoint into professional indemnity')
Towergate warns that underinsurance remains a significant issue for UK businesses, with 40% citing a lack of insurance knowledge as a key factor, and urges regular policy reviews, updated valuations, and education to address risks, especially as 80% of SMEs are underinsured. (Josh Recamara, 16/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Underinsurance remains a problem for UK businesses - report')
Aon announced plans to establish a UK-based captive management company, aligning with the government’s new regulatory framework to attract captive insurers. The initiative, led by Ciaran Healy, Aon’s global captives leader, aims to provide clients with an additional domicile option and leverage the UK’s insurance infrastructure. The move is expected to appeal to UK-based firms and potentially bring overseas captives back onshore. (Josh Recamara, 16/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Aon plans UK captive management company')
Britannia P&I Club has relocated its London office to 33 King William Street, creating a collaborative workspace with modern facilities to enhance operational efficiency, while reaffirming its commitment to London as a global marine insurance hub amidst ongoing strategic changes. (Josh Recamara, 16/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Britannia P&I Club relocates London office')
Aviva has launched a six-month trial of the AI-powered "Actuarial Agent" in collaboration with insurtech firm hyperexponential (hx) to enhance pricing accuracy, streamline workflows, and support underwriters, building on its success with hx Renew, which reduced pricing model development time from over an hour to under 10 minutes. (Kenneth Araullo, 15/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Aviva launches AI trial as part of GCS digital underwriting strategy')
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced reforms to simplify capital raising for London-listed firms, including reducing the need for full prospectuses, introducing a public offer platform for smaller firms, and raising the share issuance threshold, potentially saving companies £40 million annually and boosting London's competitiveness as a financial hub. (Josh Recamara, 15/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'FCA confirms plans to change capital raising for London-listed firms')
Liberty Specialty Markets has launched a new insurance product targeting financial institutions in the cryptocurrency sector, offering coverage for risks like professional liability, theft, and fraud, with limits up to €3 million, focusing on firms operating under the EU’s MiCA regulation to address growing demand in the digital asset market. (Josh Recamara, 15/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Liberty Specialty Markets launches new insurance product')
UK insurers paid a record £8 billion in protection claims in 2024, according to a report by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and Group Risk Development (GRiD), with individual life, income protection, and critical illness policies accounting for £5.32 billion, driven by rising average payouts and high success rates, as 96.9% of claims were approved, highlighting the sector's critical role in financial stability during crises. (Matthew Sellers, 14/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurers pay record £8 billion in protection claims')
W Denis Group has launched a global insurance division focused on data centers and power assets, offering end-to-end coverage from construction to operations, including property damage, business interruption, cyber risks, and professional liability, supported by global capacity and risk management advisory services. (Kenneth Araullo, 14/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'W Denis launches global insurance division for data centres and power assets')
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has urged the UK Government to simplify the regulatory framework for insurance brokers, highlighting its impact on growth and new entrants. In a letter to the Chancellor, BIBA CEO Graeme Trudgill emphasised the sector's £100 billion contribution to the economy and called for reforms to reduce compliance barriers and support innovation. (Josh Recamara, 14/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'BIBA urges Chancellor to ease regulatory burden on insurance brokers')
Marsh CEO John Doyle and Chubb CEO Evan Greenberg have criticised the growing influence of third-party litigation funders, describing the practice as a speculative industry driving up jury awards and insurance premiums. They called for legislative reforms to address tax parity, transparency, and financial disclosures, highlighting the economic burden of rising litigation costs. (Matthew Sellers, 14/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Marsh, Chubb CEOs speak out about third-party litigation funders')
Zurich, Allianz, Hollard, and others are competing to acquire NIB Holdings' travel insurance unit, valued at up to A$200 million, as the Australian travel insurance market consolidates amidst rising reinsurance costs and claims inflation, with Zurich seen as a frontrunner due to its existing 24% market share. (Matthew Sellers, 14/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Allianz, Zurich, Hollard and others line up for major acquisition down under')

Movers

Jensten Underwriting appointed Kathleen Durling as Director of Underwriting, leveraging her 15+ years of experience at Victor Insurance, MS Amlin, Chaucer, CGI, and Simply Business to expand specialised insurance offerings and develop broker-focused products in the UK market. (Jonalyn Cueto, 17/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Jensten Underwriting names Durling as director of underwriting')
RSA appointed Emily Coupland as General Counsel for UK and European operations, leveraging her 30+ years of experience, including her role as General Counsel at AXA, to oversee legal and compliance functions during RSA's rebranding to Intact Insurance and its strategic integration into Intact's global framework.(Josh Recamara, 17/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'RSA names general counsel for UK and European operations')
AIG appointed former Lloyd’s CEO John Neal as President, effective Dec. 1, leveraging his extensive industry experience, including leadership roles at Lloyd’s and QBE, to oversee global general insurance operations and drive underwriting excellence. (Roxanne Libatique, 16/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'AIG snaps up former Lloyd's chief as new president')
Arch Insurance International promoted Chris Fairs to Head of Agency Management at Arch Managing Agency Limited, where he will oversee Lloyd’s-related operations, including Syndicates 2012 and 1955, leveraging his extensive experience in Lloyd’s compliance from roles at Argenta Private Capital and Lloyd’s itself. (Kenneth Araullo, 16/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Arch, AXA XL, Clyde & Co, Consilium, Kennedys')
AXA XL has appointed Shaun Wilkinson as Head of International Casualty, Retail, UK & Lloyd’s, tasking him with developing underwriting strategy and leading the casualty underwriting unit, leveraging his 20 years of experience across broking and underwriting roles, including positions at leading firms in the insurance industry. (Kenneth Araullo, 16/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Arch, AXA XL, Clyde & Co, Consilium, Kennedys')
Clyde & Co has appointed Ian Roberts as Chair of its UK insurance practice, a newly created role to align the firm’s insurance strategy with evolving client needs. Roberts, who joined the firm in 2013 and previously led the Southeast Asia insurance practice, brings extensive expertise in financial lines, general liability, reinsurance disputes, and political and credit risk claims. (Kenneth Araullo, 16/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Arch, AXA XL, Clyde & Co, Consilium, Kennedys')
Specialty broker Consilium launched its first UK casualty binder, appointing Luke Browne as Senior Underwriter to lead the initiative. Browne, who joins from Dual Group, brings over 10 years of expertise in liability and Contractors All Risks underwriting. The facility, backed by A-rated delegated authority capacity, targets low and medium-risk contractors with enhanced policy wordings and plans to expand coverage later in the year. (Kenneth Araullo, 16/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Arch, AXA XL, Clyde & Co, Consilium, Kennedys')
Allianz Commercial appointed Elke Vagenende as Chief Client Officer and Tom Leonard as Global Head of Broker Management, effective August 1. Vagenende, with experience at BP and Siemens, will lead global client management, while Leonard, with Allianz since 2007, will oversee broker relationships. Martin Zschech remains Global Head of Industry Solutions, focusing on private equity. (Kenneth Araullo, 16/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Allianz Commercial names Elke Vagenende chief client officer in leadership revamp')
In further news...Allianz Commercial established the Nordics as a standalone region, appointing Margaretha Mo as Regional Managing Director, effective August 1. Mo, a Swedish national with 30 years of insurance experience, has led the Nordics as Country Managing Director since 2024. Meanwhile, Jonathan Poole will take over Benelux operations, joining from Chubb with over 30 years of expertise in European corporate insurance markets. (Kenneth Araullo, 16/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Allianz Commercial names Elke Vagenende chief client officer in leadership revamp')
Globe Underwriting has entered the UK professional indemnity (PI) market, appointing Paul Nolan, formerly Head of Financial Lines at Probitas Syndicate 1492, and Kiran Wignall, previously leading the PI line at Probitas, to spearhead its first PI proposition and expand its financial lines division amidst a £3.3 billion annual premium market. (Kenneth Araullo, 15/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Globe Underwriting appoints financial lines leaders as it enters PI market')
Willis, part of WTW, has appointed Adrian Cousins as Head of London Market Claims, where he will lead the firm's claims strategy and manage key relationships with insurers, reinsurers, adjusters, and legal firms, while continuing his role as Head of Claims for FINEX in Great Britain, Western Europe, and international markets. (Kenneth Araullo, 14/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Willis, Consilium, Barnett Waddingham')
Consilium has appointed George Besant as Partner in its delegated risk solutions division, bringing 13 years of experience from roles at Superscript, Capsicum Re, Arthur J Gallagher, and Pen Underwriting, to support MGA portfolio development, capacity placement, and product strategies, including for Rokstone Underwriting. (Kenneth Araullo, 14/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Willis, Consilium, Barnett Waddingham')
Barnett Waddingham (BW) has appointed Rob Byett as Chief Risk Officer following its acquisition by Howden. With over 20 years of experience in financial services risk and compliance, including roles at Jelf Group and Deloitte, Byett will lead governance and risk functions within BW and Howden's global employee benefits practice. His appointment follows the retirement of Zoe Smith, former Partner and Head of Governance at Barnett Waddingham. (Kenneth Araullo, 14/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Willis, Consilium, Barnett Waddingham')
Flood Re has announced key executive appointments under CEO Perry Thomas to advance its mission of transitioning to risk-reflective flood insurance pricing by 2039. Latinka Pilipovic will join as Chief Financial Officer and board member on August 1, pending regulatory approval, succeeding interim CFO Dave Dunning. Dan Byrne, currently Chief Risk Officer, has been promoted to Chief Commercial Officer while retaining his CRO duties until an interim replacement is named. Max Bero, Director of Operations, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, also subject to regulatory approval. (Josh Recamara, 14/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Flood Re and Consilium')
Consilium, the global specialty re/insurance arm of the Aventum Group, has appointed Peter Coleman to its senior leadership team to support its expansion strategy. Coleman, formerly Managing Director and Global Head of Placement at Guy Carpenter Facultative, brings extensive experience in specialty insurance, including senior roles at Agora Syndicate and Ironshore, and will focus on driving growth in emerging lines. (Josh Recamara, 14/7/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Flood Re and Consilium')