General Insurance newsletter Friday 26th September 2025

Insurance News

Why climate transparency matters more than ever for US insurers - Despite 97% of US insurers disclosing climate strategies, only 29% provide measurable targets, creating a transparency gap that leaves customers vulnerable and unprepared for climate risks. With increasing regulatory pressure and extreme weather events causing billions in damages, insurers must adopt standardised metrics, enhance transparency, and embrace accountability to meet growing demands for climate risk disclosure and ensure customer trust. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Why climate transparency matters more than ever for US insurers')
AI insurance skills Lab: level up your knowledge - Looking to boost your work productivity and efficiency but unsure where to start? Join IDEX Consulting on Oct 9th at 1pm BST, for a virtual exclusive, hands-on AI workshop designed specifically for insurance professionals. Reserve your spot here.
What's changing in captive insurance regulations - The UK government has announced reforms to its captive insurance framework, including faster authorisation processes, lower capital requirements, and reduced reporting obligations, aiming to make the UK a competitive hub for captive insurers. These changes align with global standards and are expected to attract more captives, boosting the UK’s insurance market and economy, though challenges such as the lack of tax incentives remain. (IDEX Consulting news, 'What's Changing in Captive Insurance Regulations')
MGA trends and insights - The global MGA market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by demand for specialised insurance solutions, technological advancements, and M&A activity. However, challenges like capacity constraints and regulatory compliance remain critical, requiring MGAs to diversify capacity sources, embrace technology, and maintain strong broker relationships to sustain growth. (IDEX Consulting news, 'MGA trends and insights')
Davies launched its AI Underwriting Workbench to streamline underwriting processes, offering a centralised dashboard, AI-powered automation, and integration with existing systems, aiming to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance risk decision-making. (Kenneth Araullo, 26/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Davies bolsters tech portfolio with AI Underwriting Workbench launch')
Businesses are increasingly adopting AI technologies like machine learning and natural language processing to combat sophisticated cyber threats, with the global AI in cybersecurity market projected to grow from $25.35 billion in 2024 to $93.75 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research, driven by the need for advanced tools to counter evolving attacks and protect critical infrastructure. (Kenneth Araullo, 25/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'The AI edge: businesses harness new tech to combat cyber threats')
Bridgehaven Specialty UK Limited joined the Association of British Insurers (ABI), marking a significant milestone in its development as a hybrid insurer, with its innovative model fostering long-term partnerships with MGAs and reinsurers while contributing to the evolution of the UK insurance sector. (Josh Recamara, 25/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Bridgehaven Specialty joins ABI')
The global cyber insurance market faces slowing growth and falling rates, with premiums growing just 6% annually between 2022 and 2024, down from 40% during the hard market, according to Howden's report, which highlights the need to tap underserved markets like continental Europe to sustain growth amidst evolving cyber threats. (Matthew Sellers, 24/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Cyber insurance at a crossroads as growth slows and rates fall')
Aon's latest market outlook highlights strong insurer competition in the UK during H1 2025, leading to buyer-friendly conditions with rate reductions of 10-20% across most lines, while encouraging organisations to reassess insurance programmes and explore expanded coverage amidst inflation and evolving risks. (Kenneth Araullo, 24/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Competitive UK insurance market means great news for buyers in H1: Aon')
Insify secured €16.3 million in Series B funding, led by Evli Growth Partners, to expand its AI-powered insurance platform for SMEs and freelancers across the Netherlands, France, and Germany, aiming to address underserved markets with tailored, data-driven coverage solutions. (Josh Recamara, 24/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insify lands capital injection of €16 plus million')

Allianz UK uncovered £92.6 million in insurance fraud during H1 2025, a 34% increase from the previous year, with over 15,800 cases detected across personal, commercial, and specialty lines, leveraging advanced technologies like machine learning and voice analytics to combat evolving fraud schemes. (Josh Recamara, 23/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Allianz UK uncovers £93M in insurance fraud during H1 2025')
A Marsh survey revealed that while 78% of businesses have experienced climate-related impacts, only 38% conduct detailed climate risk assessments, highlighting a significant gap in adaptation investment, with barriers like funding and competing priorities limiting proactive resilience planning. (Josh Recamara, 22/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Marsh survey finds businesses underinvesting in climate adaptation')

Mergers and Acquisitions

South Korea’s DB Insurance is set to acquire U.S. specialty insurer Fortegra in a £1.18 billion deal, marking its boldest overseas expansion into the UK, US, and Europe. The acquisition aligns with DB’s strategy to diversify beyond Korea’s mature market, leveraging Fortegra’s expertise in automotive protection, warranty programs, and niche specialty lines, including its UK operations regulated by the PRA and FCA. (Matthew Sellers, 25/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurer that owns UK’s largest secondary intermediary FCA network bought in massive deal')
B.P. Marsh invested £2 million for a 35% stake in Salus, a new UK insurance intermediary group specialising in professional indemnity (PI) cover, supporting its dual broking and MGA platform aimed at addressing constrained PI capacity and providing tailored solutions for SMEs and professionals. (Josh Recamara, 23/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'B.P. Marsh backs new PI intermediary group Salus with £2M investment')

Movers

QBE has appointed Hannah Wilkinson as Underwriting Manager – Motor Trade for the UK, effective Oct. 1, 2025; she will oversee the motor trade portfolio, focusing on strategy, customer propositions, and client-broker relationships. Wilkinson, who joined QBE in 2011 from Allianz, brings nearly two decades of industry experience, including her recent role as senior motor trade underwriter. She succeeds Iain Bickers, who is retiring after over 15 years in the position. (Josh Recamara, 26/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Senior leadership changes at QBE and Aon')
Aon has appointed Leon Walker as EMEA Captives Leader, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Walker, who joined Aon in 2022 to lead UK Inpoint, brings nearly 20 years of experience, including senior roles at Willis Towers Watson, Lloyd’s of London, and leadership positions in InsurTech at Instanda and AdvantageGo. In his new role, he will drive strategy, transformation, and growth across Aon’s Captives business in EMEA, reporting to Ciaran Healy, Global Captives Leader, and collaborating with the EMEA Risk Capital team. (Josh Recamara, 26/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Senior leadership changes at QBE and Aon')
Covéa UK has announced a CEO transition, with Georges De Macedo stepping down after nearly two years to return to France and remain on the UK board. Xavier Laurent, joining from Covéa Group, will succeed him, subject to regulatory approval, bringing extensive leadership experience in general insurance to drive the next phase of growth for Covéa UK. (Josh Recamara, 26/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Covéa UK announces CEO transition')
Sompo appointed Cédric Wells, a seasoned insurance professional with over 25 years of experience, as Head of Claims for Continental Europe, where he will oversee claims strategy across eight key markets, leveraging his extensive expertise from roles at Swiss Re and SCOR. (Kenneth Araullo, 25/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Sompo names Cédric Wells head of claims for Continental Europe')
Amiga Specialty appointed James Rasmussen as Managing Director for management liability in the UK and Europe, tasking him with establishing the product line and collaborating with capacity partners, leveraging his extensive experience from roles at Nexus Underwriting, Chubb, and Travelers. (Kenneth Araullo, 24/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Rasmussen joins Amiga Specialty to lead management liability in UK, Europe')
Marsh McLennan appointed Kim Abildgaard as CEO for Denmark, effective October 1, leveraging his nearly 25 years of experience to integrate global capabilities across its businesses and enhance client services, following his role as interim CEO and leadership at Mercer’s European career practice. (Kenneth Araullo, 24/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Marsh McLennan names Kim Abildgaard CEO for Denmark')
Alta Signa appointed Cédric Denysiak as France Country Manager, leveraging his 20+ years of experience in financial lines and specialty insurance to expand the firm's presence in the competitive French market, focusing on opportunities in financial lines, cyber, and marine. (Josh Recamara, 24/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Alta Signa names new France country manager')
DWF expanded its major injury and casualty practice with 27 new hires, including five partners from leading firms, to address growing demand from insurers for expertise in high-value claims, enhancing its capabilities in liability defence, catastrophic injury, and regulatory matters. (Josh Recamara, 24/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'DWF expands injury and casualty practice with 27 new hires')
Davies has appointed Adam Warwick as group CIO, effective October 6, to lead its global technology strategy, including AI and cloud infrastructure, as part of its Vision 2030 goals, leveraging his 25+ years of experience in technology leadership roles at Bravura, Aviva, and Zurich. (Kenneth Araullo, 23/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Davies taps Adam Warwick as new CIO, expands executive team')
Synthetik Insurance Technologies appointed Matt Harris as Global Head of Partnerships and Distribution, leveraging his extensive leadership experience at Argo Group and AIG to drive growth and expand the reach of its next-generation modelling tools in the insurance sector. (Kenneth Araullo, 23/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Synthetik Insurance names Matt Harris global head of partnerships')
The British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) appointed Iain Anderson, Founder of H/Advisors Cicero, as a Non-Executive Director, leveraging his extensive public affairs expertise to strengthen broker representation with policymakers and regulators during a period of economic and regulatory change. (Josh Recamara, 23/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'BIBA brings public affairs veteran Iain Anderson onto board')
Texel Group strengthened its London team by appointing Josh McCann as Director and Axel Swiderski as Associate Director, leveraging their expertise in credit insurance, political risk, and structured finance to enhance Texel's position as a specialist, independent broker in the growing CPRI market. (Josh Recamara, 22/9/2025, Insurance Business, 'Texel Group strengthens London team with new directors')