General Insurance newsletter Friday 12th December 2025

Insurance News

Insurance business valuation calculator - Are you planning your 2026 business strategy, but are perhaps lacking credible data and insights on your business performance? Our free business calculator for brokers, insurers and MGAs provides an instant valuation, based on your company's profile, revenue and profit, offering you the essential data you need to make key business decisions. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Insurance business valuation calculator')
Sustainable ways to grow your business: learn how IDEX can help - IDEX Consulting facilitated the acquisition of Morton Insurance Brokers by Specialist Risk Group, ensuring a seamless transition for clients and employees. As well as enabling Morton’s founder, Adrian Morton, to plan for retirement IDEX enabled the firm's expansion, supporting long term sustainable growth. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Sustainable ways to grow your business: learn how IDEX can help')
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')
Insurance career opportunities – Are you considering your next move in the insurance industry, but unsure where to start? Our dedicated job portal offers a wide range of roles tailored to your expertise and ambitions. Explore opportunities across underwriting, claims, broking, and more, and take the next step in your career with confidence. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Insurance career opportunities')
Fidelis Partnership has relocated its EU hub from Brussels to Dublin, reflecting confidence in Ireland's insurance sector, with plans to write $800M in premiums in 2025, expand local talent initiatives, and position Dublin as a key European hub for specialty insurance and innovation. (Kenneth Araullo, 11/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Fidelis shifts EU hub to Dublin in vote of confidence for Ireland')
Westfield Specialty plans to launch a Luxembourg-based carrier in April 2025, complementing its Lloyd’s Syndicate 1200, to expand its EU presence, offer alternative company market paper, and support long-term growth in European specialty insurance. (Kenneth Araullo, 11/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Westfield Specialty to launch Luxembourg carrier in next phase of EU build-out')
An IUA survey of London market underwriters highlights profitability pressures, talent shortages, and technology integration challenges as top concerns for 2026, with geopolitical instability and social inflation identified as key emerging risks, guiding the agenda of the newly formed Chief Underwriting Officers Council. (Josh Recamara, 11/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'IUA survey highlights top underwriting pressures as new council is formed')
AXA UK's research highlights opportunities for tailored SME insurance products, addressing challenges like rising costs, cyber risks, and business interruption, while emphasising sector-specific solutions and risk management to support local businesses and community resilience. (Josh Recamara, 11/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'AXA UK research signals opportunities for SME insurance products')
Aegon will relocate its headquarters to the US, rebrand as Transamerica Inc. by January 1, 2028, and focus on life insurance and retirement growth, aligning its corporate structure with its primary US market, while maintaining listings in Amsterdam and New York. (Kenneth Araullo, 10/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Aegon to shift headquarters to US, rebrand as Transamerica')

Marsh reports that 66% of organisations plan to increase cybersecurity spending in 2026, driving growth in the cyber insurance market, projected to reach $16.4 billion in global premiums, with insurers focusing on disciplined underwriting, expanded reinsurance capacity, and risk-based segmentation. (Josh Recamara, 10/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Cyber risk investments to shape 2026 insurance market - Marsh')
The UK insurance industry cautiously welcomed the FCA's Policy Statement 25/21, which simplifies regulations by reducing compliance costs, offering flexible CPD requirements, and clarifying customer definitions, while urging faster reforms to enhance regulatory clarity and competitiveness. (Josh Recamara, 10/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'UK insurance industry responds to FCA policy statement on simplifying rules')
BIBA have announced their theme for the 2026 Conference, "Time:To," which will focus on immediate industry priorities like regulatory pressures, client protection, and market challenges, aiming to drive actionable progress across broking, underwriting, and risk advisory roles, with over 9,900 professionals expected to attend. (Josh Recamara, 10/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'BIBA reveals theme for 2026 conference')
Intact Insurance has announced the launch of its enhanced commercial lines portfolio in the UK, featuring upgraded property owners', shops, and commercial combined products designed to offer brokers more flexible cover options and broader protection for business customers, with a focus on digital accessibility and simplified policies. (Josh Recamara, 10/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Intact Insurance launches enhanced commercial lines portfolio in UK')
Aviva has revealed that cyber is now the top insurable risk for UK SMEs, with 36% identifying it as their biggest threat, yet many smaller firms remain underinsured and lack confidence in addressing the issue, as cyber claims and associated costs continue to rise. (Kenneth Araullo, 9/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Aviva reveals the top risk for UK SMEs')
Zurich UK has expanded its multinational insurance offering for mid-market mass risks, enabling businesses in several European countries to be covered under a single UK-issued 'all risks' policy. This simplifies coverage, reduces administrative burdens, and supports cross-border growth, aligning with Zurich's focus on tailored advice and consistent underwriting standards.(Josh Recamara, 9/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Zurich UK expands multinational insurance offering for mid-market mass risks')
Mission has announced its backing for the launch of Kovrilo, a UK-based MGA focused on SME commercial cover, set to go live in early 2026. Led by Tim Smith and Sonia Habib, Kovrilo will leverage a technology-enabled underwriting platform to offer tailored solutions via brokers, aligning with Mission's strategy of supporting innovative MGAs. (Kenneth Araullo, 8/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Mission backs Kovrilo launch as next UK SME-focused MGA')
Crawford & Company's Sustainability Report highlights how sustainability is shaping claims and underwriting decisions, with 70% of claims leaders noting its impact on adjudication and 80% on product development. The report emphasises the growing role of sustainability in corporate strategies, driven by climate risks, regulatory demands, and customer expectations. (Josh Recamara, 8/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'What's shaping claims and underwriting decisions?')

Moves

HSB Engineering Insurance Managing Director Terry Dyson will retire in March 2026 after a 40-year insurance career, including roles at National Vulcan Engineering Group (part of Sun Alliance Group) and senior positions across sales, operations, and strategy; since joining HSB in 2019, Dyson has led business development, partnerships, and operations, becoming Managing Director in 2024, with CEO Andrew Burke now seeking his successor. (Kenneth Araullo, 10/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: HSB, Lloyd’s Banking Group, FUW, Tide Insurance')
Lloyds Banking Group has appointed Peter Fitzgerald as Chief Investment Officer for its life and wealth division, succeeding Kevin Doran; Fitzgerald, formerly CIO at Aviva Investors, brings over 25 years of experience in multi-asset investing and macro strategy, including senior roles at BNP Paribas Wealth Management and Insinger de Beaufort, and will oversee investment strategy across Scottish Widows and Schroders Personal Wealth. (Kenneth Araullo, 10/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: HSB, Lloyd’s Banking Group, FUW, Tide Insurance')
FUW Insurance Services has appointed Dr. Paul Jameson as a Non-Executive Director, succeeding retiring board member Ken Isherwood; Jameson, an experienced actuary and former Chief Risk Officer at Allianz, Munich Re, Legal & General, and Wakam, brings expertise in leading diverse teams across risk management, compliance, and strategy to support the agricultural specialist's oversight. (Kenneth Araullo, 10/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: HSB, Lloyd’s Banking Group, FUW, Tide Insurance')
Tide has appointed Dan McNally as Senior Vice President and CEO of Tide Insurance Services, pending FCA approval; McNally, with over 25 years of experience at Simply Business, RSA Insurance Group, Cytora, and the UK’s largest broker network, will lead Tide’s global insurance expansion, including tailored SME business protection through its app, launching in partnership with Admiral Business. (Kenneth Araullo, 10/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: HSB, Lloyd’s Banking Group, FUW, Tide Insurance')
Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM) has appointed Rob Groenen as Head of Portfolio Solutions, Europe, a newly created role combining affinity, programme business, and digital operations under one model to enhance broker and client access to Liberty’s capabilities, aligning with its "Invest in Europe 2030" strategy. (Kenneth Araullo, 9/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Liberty Specialty Markets, Arch, Direct Commercial Limited, QBE')
Howden has launched a dedicated space insurance unit, appointing sector veteran Clive Strickland to lead; with over 25 years of experience, Strickland will oversee coverage for satellite launches, in-orbit operations, and emerging space risks, as Howden targets growth in the $600M global space insurance market, projected to expand by 9% annually.(Kenneth Araullo, 10/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Howden launches dedicated space insurance unit, hires sector veteran to lead')
Arch Insurance has appointed Ernesto Medina Gomez as Head of Executive Assurance for Europe, a newly created role based in Madrid, focusing on underwriting strategy, product development, and distribution of executive assurance solutions across Continental Europe, with a particular emphasis on Iberia. Previously, he held senior underwriting roles at Arch Insurance International, Probitas, Zurich, and The Hartford, specialising in directors and officers and financial institutions lines for large European accounts. (Kenneth Araullo, 9/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Liberty Specialty Markets, Arch, Direct Commercial Limited, QBE')
QBE has named Sharon Smallridge as Portfolio Manager for its UK casualty team, leading the major client portfolio in London. With over 35 years of experience, including senior roles at AIG, her appointment follows the announcement of Adrian Browne as Director of Underwriting for UK casualty. (Kenneth Araullo, 9/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Liberty Specialty Markets, Arch, Direct Commercial Limited, QBE')
AIG has appointed Dean Cloke as Head of Real Estate, Commercial Property UK. Cloke will lead the development of AIG's real estate portfolio and strategy, joining from Everest Insurance, where he was Head of Property for the UK and Ireland, with prior senior roles at Zurich Insurance. (Josh Recamara, 9/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: AIG, Chubb and Lloyd & Whyte')
Chubb has appointed Aaron Shead as Executive Vice President, Head of Property for Chubb Overseas General Insurance. With over 25 years of international experience, including his prior role as Head of Fire for COG, Shead will oversee growth and profitability across fire, terrorism, power, and energy portfolios, emphasising Chubb's leadership in global property markets. (Josh Recamara, 9/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: AIG, Chubb and Lloyd & Whyte')
Lloyd & Whyte has appointed Richard Spencer as Head of Business Development for its community broking division in Wales and the South West. With 40 years of broking experience, including as a National Sales Director, Spencer will drive growth initiatives and strategic development, aligning with the company's client- and community-focused ethos. (Josh Recamara, 9/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: AIG, Chubb and Lloyd & Whyte')
Ecclesiastical Insurance has appointed David Hockey as Director of Schemes and Partnerships. Joining from Admiral Group, where he was CEO of Admiral Business, Hockey brings extensive experience in SME market development and digital trading. His role will support Ecclesiastical's growth in commercial lines, schemes, MGAs, and partnerships. (Josh Recamara, 7/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Ecclesiastical taps David Hockey as director of schemes and partnerships')