General Insurance newsletter Friday 5th December 2025

Insurance News

Streamline your interviews to win top talent - In today's competitive market, businesses are losing top candidates to competitors due to slow, inefficient, and unnecessarily complex interview processes. Our guide offers practical tips to help you streamline your hiring strategy, secure in-demand talent, and avoid missing out on the best people for the job. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Streamline your interviews to win top talent')
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')
Does your compensation reflect your true value? - Access the IDEX Salary Calculator to access the latest salary data for your role. Our free tool provides precise industry benchmarks for your role, equipping you with accurate data to confidently negotiate a pay increase or evaluate your current earning potential. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Does your compensation reflect your true value?')
Maximising value: tailored M&A solutions for insurance brokers and MGAs - IDEX Consulting provides comprehensive M&A sell-side services for insurance brokers and MGAs, focusing on business preparation, including financial analysis and compliance optimisation, strategic buyer matching through a network of 40,000+ businesses, and post-transaction support like workforce integration and technology alignment. Their long-term, tailored approach aims to maximise value, enhance EBITDA, and ensure smooth transitions for sellers while addressing unique challenges in the insurance market. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Maximising Value: Tailored M&A Solutions for Insurance Brokers and MGAs')
The Lloyd's Market Association (LMA) has set 2026 priorities focusing on technology and data, including the rollout of ACORD-compliant Core Data Record (CDR), adoption of peer-to-peer tech solutions, operational resilience testing, and modular modernisation through initiatives like Blueprint Two.(Josh Recamara, 5/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'LMA sets technology and data priorities for the Lloyd's market in 2026')
The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has partnered with EDII to enhance its New Generation Programme, which develops emerging talent in insurance and financial planning. The collaboration introduces advanced innovation and leadership training, equipping participants to address industry challenges and deliver impactful projects, while expanding the program to include professionals from broader financial services. (Josh Recamara, 4/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Chartered Insurance Institute partners up to strengthen leadership in insurance sector')
According to Allianz's latest report, directors and officers (D&Os) are encountering heightened liability risks driven by geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, and AI-related challenges, with claims increasingly tied to regulatory oversight, cyber events, insolvencies, and shifting fiduciary responsibilities. (Kenneth Araullo, 4/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'D&O claims rebound as boards face converging geopolitical, cyber and AI risks – Allianz')
The Lloyd's Market Association (LMA) has launched the Emerging Litigation Forum (ELF) to monitor litigation trends impacting insurers, expanding its focus beyond climate cases to include broader liability exposures. The forum aims to help insurers anticipate risks, refine policy structures, and manage long-tail liabilities, with insights shared to support market preparedness in an evolving legal landscape. (Josh Recamara, 4/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Lloyd's Market Association launches new litigation forum to help insurers anticipate new risks')
The marine insurance sector is undergoing a transformation as decarbonisation mandates, cyber vulnerabilities, and offshore renewables reshape risk profiles. Chris Boyd, Managing Director at Van Ameyde Marine highlights the need for brokers to adopt advanced tools, like smart glasses for real-time incident support, and develop deeper expertise to address evolving challenges and regulatory demands. (Bryony Garlick, 4/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Marine insurance enters a new era of risk')
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched the AI Live Testing initiative, a first-of-its-kind program in UK financial services, to explore the benefits and risks of AI in a controlled environment. Partnering with major firms like NatWest and Monzo, the initiative focuses on AI applications in customer engagement, financial advice, and claims handling, aiming to support safe AI adoption and guide future regulatory frameworks. (Josh Recamara, 4/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'FCA opens controlled environment for live AI testing')
Momentum Broker Solutions, in partnership with AUB, has launched Momentum Equity Partners to provide independent brokers with tailored funding for acquisitions, recruitment, and succession planning, enabling growth without ceding ownership. (Josh Recamara, 3/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Broker funding drive sets up new growth path for independents')

Lloyd’s of London warns of rapid rate softening across key lines like casualty and cyber, with underwriters urged to manage declining premiums and prepare for challenging market conditions in 2026. (Jonalyn Cueto, 2/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Lloyd's warns on rapid rate softening')
Pen Underwriting has rebranded Wrightway Underwriting as Pen Underwriting Ireland, completing its integration after acquiring the Irish firm in June 2024. Known for its niche focus on motor and liability risks, Wrightway’s team and services remain unchanged, while the rebrand aligns it with Pen’s broader resources and growth strategy, including plans to establish Ireland as a standalone division in 2026. (Josh Recamara, 2/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Pen Underwriting rebrands decades-old Irish underwriter')
The FCA has proposed new rules to enhance transparency, reliability, and comparability of ESG ratings, addressing industry concerns and supporting insurers’ risk management and investment strategies. The consultation runs until March 2026, with final rules expected by Q4 2026 and implementation in June 2028. (Josh Recamara, 2/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'FCA proposes new ESG rating rules to strengthen risk management')
AXA and the Insurance Development Forum (IDF) have launched the Infrastructure Resilience Development Fund (IRDF), raising $340 million in its first close. Managed by Global Infrastructure Partners, the fund targets emerging markets in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, financing resilient infrastructure projects like clean water, energy, and transport, while offering insurers risk-adjusted returns and ESG benefits. (Josh Recamara, 2/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'AXA and IDF launch infrastructure resilience fund')
Insurers are set to face emerging risks in 2026, including social media addiction, space activities, next-gen nuclear energy, sanctions, head office liability, and litigation funding. Clyde & Co highlights these risks as reshaping underwriting, claims, and regulatory exposure, with growing complexity driven by technological, social, and geopolitical factors. (Jonalyn Cueto, 1/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurers face new risk frontiers in 2026')
AUB Group's share price dropped 16.4% after EQT AB and CVC Asia Pacific terminated their AU$5.25 billion takeover bid. Despite the collapse, AUB reaffirmed its growth outlook, citing strong financial performance and plans for organic growth and acquisitions, positioning itself for future strategic interest. (Daniel Wood, 1/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'AUB share price plunges after ASX announcement')

Mergers and Acquisitions

Davies is set to acquire SCM Insurance Services, Canada’s largest claims processing firm, expanding its North American footprint and boosting its workforce to 9,500; the move aligns with its Vision 2030 strategy, emphasising AI-driven claims automation through its ClaimPilot platform to enhance efficiency and meet rising client expectations. (Gia Snape, 4/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Davies bets big on one country – and even bigger on artificial intelligence')
Ripe, a digital MGA, has entered the holiday homes insurance market by acquiring Schofields Limited, a 40-year-old specialist provider with over 10,000 policies. Schofields will retain its brand while leveraging Ripe's digital platform, pricing tools, and marketing expertise to drive growth and maintain its reputation for exceptional customer service. (Kenneth Araullo, 4/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'MGA Ripe moves into holiday homes with Schofields acquisition')
Asurion has agreed to acquire Domestic & General for a reported £2.1 billion, combining their strengths to create a leading global provider of appliance and device protection, with the deal expected to close in mid-2026 pending regulatory approval. (Josh Recamara, 3/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Asurion to acquire Domestic & General')
Piraeus Bank has finalised its €600 million acquisition of Ethniki Insurance, adding 1.8 million policyholders and €850 million in gross written premiums. Ethniki, Greece’s oldest insurer, strengthens Piraeus’ bancassurance strategy, offering life, health, property, and auto coverage, while expanding its financial services leadership. (Jonalyn Cueto, 2/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Piraeus Bank finalises €600 million Ethniki Insurance acquisition')

Moves

Westfield Specialty International has appointed Ben Watson, with over nine years of experience in cyber and technology underwriting at Zurich and Beazley, as Class Underwriter to lead its new cyber team, effective January 1, 2026, as part of its financial lines portfolio and London underwriting expansion. (Josh Recamara, 5/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Texel, Westfield Specialty, Lumera, Swedish Club and Tryg')
Insurtech company Lumera has appointed Duncan Howorth to its board of directors, effective December 2025; Howorth, with experience as Chair of ITM (acquired by Lumera), Senior Advisor to Lumera UK, and Non-Executive Director at NatWest Cushon, will support Lumera’s international expansion and growth strategy in nationally shaped markets. (Josh Recamara, 5/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Texel, Westfield Specialty, Lumera, Swedish Club and Tryg')
The Swedish Club has appointed Markus Johansson as Chief Financial Officer; Johansson brings over 20 years of international financial leadership experience, including roles at Elseco, EF Education First, and GAC Group. (Josh Recamara, 5/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Texel, Westfield Specialty, Lumera, Swedish Club and Tryg')
Jukka Pertola, Chair of Tryg's supervisory board since 2017, will not seek reelection at the March 2026 AGM; under his leadership, Tryg experienced significant growth, a CEO transition in 2023, and Scandinavian expansion, with Steffen Kragh nominated as chair, Benedicte Bakke Agerup as deputy chair, and Vibeke Krag as a new board member. (Josh Recamara, 5/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Texel, Westfield Specialty, Lumera, Swedish Club and Tryg')
Arrowhead Intermediaries has appointed Steven Beard as international CEO, effective February 2026, bringing extensive experience from roles at Charles Taylor, Ardonagh Group, and others, to lead the global MGA and broking platform's next growth phase. (Paul Lucas, 3/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Arrowhead Intermediaries names new international CEO')
B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc has announced leadership changes for long-term succession planning: Founder Brian Marsh OBE transitions to Non-Executive Chairman; Dan Topping, previously Chief Investment Officer, becomes CEO; Alice Foulk moves from Managing Director to COO; and Francesca Chappell remains CFO. (Rod Bolivar, 2/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: AXIS Capital, Arch Insurance, B.P. Marsh & Partners')
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited has appointed Lewis Edwards as Head of Delegated Strategy, Global Markets. Based in London and reporting to Sara Farrup, Edwards will oversee coverholder and MGA business development. Previously, he led Liberty Specialty Markets' Delegated Authority Practice and held senior roles at Allianz Corporate & Specialty, AIG, and Heath Lambert. (Rod Bolivar, 2/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: AXIS Capital, Arch Insurance, B.P. Marsh & Partners')
Arch Insurance UK has made three senior underwriting appointments in its motor fleet and motor trade teams: Paul Fincham, formerly at AXA, is Senior New Business Fleet Underwriter for the South and Thames Valley; Aaron Hobbs, previously at Aviva, is Senior Existing Business Fleet Underwriter for the same regions; and Helen Williams, formerly at Geo Agriculture, is Senior Motor Trade Underwriter based in Manchester. (Rod Bolivar, 2/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: AXIS Capital, Arch Insurance, B.P. Marsh & Partners')
Miller has appointed Paul Lineham as Head of Data to enhance its data-led services and operational efficiency. Lineham, with over 30 years of experience, previously held roles at Beazley and Howden. His appointment aligns with Miller’s focus on insight-driven solutions and digital innovation, including tools like MillerBoost for faster property placements. (Rod Bolivar, 1/12/2025, Insurance Business, 'Miller appoints Paul Lineham to lead data strategy')