General Insurance newsletter Friday 17th October 2025

Insurance News

How will a bespoke regulation impact MGAs? - With 68% of brokers demanding bespoke MGA regulation and the market hitting $109 billion in premiums, change is coming. IDEX examines how new frameworks will reshape operations, partnerships, and compliance, and what MGAs must do now to prepare for transformation. (IDEX Consulting news, ''How will a bespoke regulation impact MGAs?')
Unlocking AI's potential in insurance: Insights from experts - Getting started with AI doesn't have to be overwhelming. IDEX reveals the proven strategies successful insurers are using, from conducting business reviews to bringing teams along the journey. Discover the practical first steps that separate AI leaders from laggards. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Unlocking AI's potential in insurance: Insights from experts')
How insurers and brokers are winning with predictive analytics - As competition intensifies, predictive analytics separates winners from followers in insurance. Our article reveals how brokers and insurers are transitioning from technology experiments to scalable solutions that address complex workflows, compliance demands, and customer expectations. Discover the strategies driving success. (IDEX Consulting news, 'How insurers and brokers are winning with predictive analytics')
Why climate transparency matters more than ever for US insurers - 97% of insurers disclose climate strategies, yet only 29% provide measurable targets, a dangerous accountability gap as billion-dollar disasters multiply. IDEX examines why transparency without metrics leaves customers vulnerable and how leading insurers are bridging the widening protection gap before it's too late. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Why climate transparency matters more than ever for US insurers')
The Insurance Development Forum announced the first close of its Infrastructure Resilience Development Fund at $340 million, managed by Global Infrastructure Partners (BlackRock), to finance resilient infrastructure across emerging markets—spanning water, waste, energy, transport, health, and digital—using blended senior/mezzanine debt with IFC participation and fundraising continuing into 2026. (Jonalyn Cueto, 17/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'IDF launches $340 million resilience fund for emerging markets')
Former Aviva UK & Ireland CEO David Barral, 63, died after his Aston Martin crashed and caught fire in West Yorkshire; police have launched an investigation and appealed for witnesses, while tributes highlight his 2011–2015 leadership at Aviva and broader roles across financial services. (Matthew Sellers, 16/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Former Aviva CEO David Barral dies in West Yorkshire crash')
Marsh McLennan posted Q3 2025 revenue of $6.4B (+11% GAAP, +4% underlying) with adjusted operating income and EPS up 13% and 11% respectively, as it prepares to rebrand to Marsh by 2027 and launches a tech-and-data BCS unit to drive AI-enabled client outcomes. (Kenneth Araullo, 16/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Marsh McLennan reports Q3 revenue growth as major rebrand looms')
NARDAC expanded underwriting to include Construction All Risks cover for BESS projects—protecting against natural perils and hot-testing risks—while extending reach to Europe and Australia, with up to US$50m lead and US$20m for smaller deals backed by eight A-rated Lloyd’s syndicates. (Jonalyn Cueto, 16/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Broker expands insurance capacity for growing BESS markets')
PwC UK launched InsurStart, an accelerator connecting emerging insurers, MGAs, and early-stage carriers with PwC experts for regulatory, business planning, capital access, tech, and recruitment support, with applications open now and pitch sessions starting Dec 11 for the first cohort. (Jonalyn Cueto, 16/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'PwC unveils programme to back emerging underwriters')
AXA Partners and insurtech bolttech formed a long-term partnership to scale embedded insurance across the EU, UK, and Switzerland—combining AXA’s B2B2C assistance lines with bolttech’s tech and device protection to open new cross-sell channels across telecom, finance, utilities, travel, OEM, and retail sectors. (Jonalyn Cueto, 16/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'AXA announces new partnership')

Aviva will automatically extend BI indemnity periods to a minimum of 24 months at no extra cost for eligible SME policies quoted/renewed via FastTrade—uplifting sums insured accordingly—to tackle underinsurance amid evidence that real recovery from major incidents often exceeds 12 months. (Kenneth Araullo, 15/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Aviva extends BI cover for SMEs amid underinsurance concerns')
The NCSC’s Annual Review reports a surge to 204 nationally significant UK cyberattacks (up from 89), with 18 highly significant incidents and 429 total—driven by APTs—prompting government outreach to FTSE350 leaders and industry calls for proactive, rehearsed incident readiness alongside prevention. (Kenneth Araullo, 15/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Record spike in major UK cyberattacks puts businesses on alert – NCSC')
Moody’s Ratings maintains a stable outlook for UK life and P&C insurers into 2025–26, citing resilient revenues supported by pensions (BPAs) and mandatory P&C demand, high rates bolstering investment income, robust capital, and rebuilding reserves—though P&C pricing has peaked, motor remains pressured, nat-cat and reinsurance costs are elevated, and further solvency gains are unlikely. (Kenneth Araullo, 15/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'UK insurance sector outlook stable as Moody’s sees resilient revenues')
Aviva launched Aviva Risk Training Solutions (ARTS), a mobile-first digital platform built with SafetyCulture that gives commercial clients free, expert-led microlearning based on 250+ loss prevention standards, with 25 courses live and 50+ coming, covering risks like flood, cyber, Li-ion batteries, and sustainability; further rollouts are planned globally. (Jonalyn Cueto, 15/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Aviva launches digital training platform')
Marsh McLennan will rebrand to Marsh starting January 2026 and has created a Business and Client Services (BCS) unit to centralise tech, data, AI, analytics, and operations under CIOO Paul Beswick; businesses will transition to the Marsh brand by 2027, with Guy Carpenter becoming Marsh Re and the ticker changing to MRSH. (Kenneth Araullo, 14/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Marsh McLennan to rebrand as Marsh, launches new BCS unit')

Mergers and Acquisitions

Specialist Risk Group acquired Health Partners Europe and SEMPRIS to expand its elite sports offering, adding specialist healthcare schemes, indemnity insurance for sports medics, and the Formis athlete management system, while retaining investment in tech and service to broaden high-performance sector access. (Jonalyn Cueto, 17/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Specialist Risk Group secures latest deal')
In further news...Specialist Risk Group acquired a Lockton Wholesale team led by Shelley Wright, integrating with Miles Smith to enhance SRG’s London Market wholesale proposition across property, casualty, and financial lines, aligning with its strategy to build a leading independent wholesale platform for UK brokers. (Jonalyn Cueto, 15/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'SRG announces acquisition of Lockton Wholesale team')

Movers

Howden appointed Susan Panuccio as Group CFO effective Jan 6, 2026; she will join the Howden Group board. Bringing 30+ years’ global finance experience, including 20+ at News Corp (eight years as CFO), Panuccio has led digital transformation and growth across markets. (Jonalyn Cueto, 15/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Howden, CILA, and Duck Creek')
The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) has appointed Hobbs as Qualifications Manager to drive its education and governance reforms. Formerly Head of Curriculum Strategy at the International Board for IT Governance Qualifications, he oversaw 30+ qualifications and 10,000 exams annually. His hire supports CILA’s push to broaden membership and modernise its qualifications framework. (Jonalyn Cueto, 15/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Howden, CILA, and Duck Creek')
Zurich appointed Terry Powell as Group CTO and Cristina Ghetti as Group Head of Digital Employee Experience (effective Oct 20), reporting to Ericson Chan. Powell previously led IT transformation and cloud at ANZ, drove AI/digital and global IT centralisation at Domino’s, and ran insurance tech at Suncorp. Ghetti led large-scale AI rollout at Nestlé and delivered a digital roadmap and post-merger IT integration at Coca-Cola European Partners. Powell will drive tech strategy and AI-led resilience; Ghetti will lead AI upskilling and productivity. (Kenneth Araullo, 14/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Allianz UK, Zurich Insurance, HDI Global')
Allianz UK appointed Mansoor Reehana as Head of Artificial Intelligence, a new role overseeing AI strategy, architecture, and product delivery across the central data team. He will align AI with business goals, scale enterprise ML platforms, drive cross-functional collaboration, and ensure ethical deployment. Reehana joined Allianz in May 2023 as Data Science Manager, leading AI/ML portfolios, platform design/migration, and generative AI implementation. Previously, he worked at EY’s AI Center of Excellence and Crawford & Company, leading global data transformation. (Kenneth Araullo, 14/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Allianz UK, Zurich Insurance, HDI Global')
HDI Global appointed Georgina Smart as Head of Global Risk Bloodstock & Equine, effective Oct 15. Based in London, she will lead underwriting and distribution strategy across international markets and the US. Smart previously held senior equine underwriting roles at Ashby Underwriting, Tokio Marine Kiln (Head of Equine), and Catlin. HDI’s UK & Ireland bloodstock team continues under Cathy Olive. (Kenneth Araullo, 14/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Allianz UK, Zurich Insurance, HDI Global')
Miller appointed David Robinson as CEO of its MGA division and Neil Ross as Chief Underwriting Officer to drive specialty underwriting growth. Robinson is the former CEO of Optio Group and ex-Chubb/ACE Regional President for UK & Ireland; Ross joins from AXIS Capital, bringing deep experience across liability, cyber, and property, including digital underwriting initiatives. (Kenneth Araullo, 14/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Miller names CEO for MGA division')
Nexus Underwriting expanded its trade credit operations into Italy, establishing a Milan-based team led by Country Manager Roberto Calabretti. As the only Lloyd’s coverholder for trade credit in Italy, Nexus will roll out existing products and new local solutions; Federica Paudice joins mid-October as Broker and Partner Manager. The move supports European growth across financial lines, legal protection, and cyber. (Jonalyn Cueto, 14/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Nexus Underwriting expands trade credit operations into Italy')
Markel named Tom Hillier as Chief Underwriting Officer and will move to five international businesses (APAC, Canada, Europe, London Market, UK) by end-2025. The London Market unit will consolidate marine & energy, PFR & cyber, and specialty. Hillier previously served as MD – Specialty at Brit Insurance and, after joining Markel in Dec 2023, launched and led Markel’s Specialty practice within International Wholesale in 2023. He brings 20+ years’ experience across P&C lines, focused on underwriting performance and governance. (Jonalyn Cueto, 13/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Markel names Hillier as CUO, unveils new five-business international structure')
Westfield Specialty International appointed Sarah McNally as Head of Distribution, reporting to CUO Jeremy Shallow. London-based, she’ll lead product distribution strategy and broker engagement to drive growth and strengthen cross-class relationships. McNally joins from Zurich Insurance, where she spent 10+ years managing client and broker relationships. (Rod Bolivar, 13/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Westfield Specialty, MNK International, Diesta, Optio, Aon, and QBE')
MNK International appointed James Gorsuch as Associate Director of UK and international real estate. He will lead reinsurance and wholesale service delivery for clients, including fund and asset managers. Gorsuch previously held roles at Marsh, Lockton, and Inicio Risk Solutions; MNK says the hire strengthens its global real estate capabilities. (Rod Bolivar, 13/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Westfield Specialty, MNK International, Diesta, Optio, Aon, and QBE')
Optio Group named Harald Teige Head of Coastal Marine at S Insurance AS (Oslo), reporting to CUO Morten F. Basthus. With 30+ years in marine insurance, Teige will help expand the marine portfolio across Nordic and European markets. (Rod Bolivar, 13/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Westfield Specialty, MNK International, Diesta, Optio, Aon, and QBE')
Aon plc appointed Michelle Beverely as Chief Broking Officer for commercial risk and Lucy Gleeson as Head of Products and Facilities, both reporting to Rob Kemp, CEO of commercial risk UK. Beverely will lead broking strategy and insurer relationships; Gleeson (formerly Head of Structured Portfolio Solutions) will oversee product development and market facilities. Aon says the moves align broking with client needs and bolster leadership. (Rod Bolivar, 13/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Westfield Specialty, MNK International, Diesta, Optio, Aon, and QBE')
QBE appointed Insaf Idelhaj as Senior Manager for cyber services and risk engineering in Paris. Idelhaj will support underwriters with cyber risk engineering and develop client-facing cyber services; QBE says her technical expertise strengthens its global cyber offerings. (Rod Bolivar, 13/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Westfield Specialty, MNK International, Diesta, Optio, Aon, and QBE')
FERMA appointed Laurent Nihoul as CEO effective Dec 1, the first senior leader from the insurance/risk sector to hold the role. A former ArcelorMittal Group Head of Insurance with nearly 30 years’ experience, he’ll strengthen advocacy, deepen member engagement, and elevate the risk profession across Europe and globally. (Kenneth Araullo, 13/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'FERMA appoints Laurent Nihoul as CEO, marking insurance industry first')
Brokerslink appointed four new regional managers: Enitan Solarin (Africa), Rodney Farah (Americas), Tushar Thakker (Asia-Pacific), and Lívia Bisoni (Europe), joining Tatiana Akl (Middle East). Each will lead steering teams to drive cross-border growth and knowledge sharing across the network, which spans 133 countries. CEO José Manuel Fonseca said their experience will fuel innovation and regional expansion. (Josh Recamara, 13/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Brokerslink, Fenchurch Law, Allianz Commercial, iFarm')
Allianz Commercial appointed Christophe Zaniewski as Managing Director for France effective April 2026, succeeding Patrick Thiels, who becomes EMEA Chief Client Officer. Paris-based, Zaniewski will oversee mid-market, large corporate, and specialty lines, reinforcing Allianz’s commercial and specialty presence in France. He brings 25+ years’ experience, including executive roles at AIG in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. (Josh Recamara, 13/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Brokerslink, Fenchurch Law, Allianz Commercial, iFarm')
iFarm Underwriting (Rokstone) appointed James King to its underwriting team. Formerly at Geo Agriculture, he brings 13 years in farm and motor insurance and will support brokers across farm combined, farm focus, property owners, and farm motor. Head Lee Ellis said King’s expertise will bolster service and expand cross-class capacity. (Josh Recamara, 13/10/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Brokerslink, Fenchurch Law, Allianz Commercial, iFarm')