General Insurance newsletter Thursday 17th April 2025

Insurance News

'AI: The drive for growth and productivity in the professional services market' event - Join IDEX Consulting in Manchester on Thursday, May 1st (08:30–09:30am) for 'AI: The Drive for Growth and Productivity in the Professional Services Market', hosted by our General Insurance MD, Paul Davey. Hear from experts Richard Nicholas, Martin Robert Hall, John McClelland and Gregg Williams as they explore how to integrate AI tools, upskill teams, and lead through change—covering real-world challenges, success stories, and practical strategies. Register here. (IDEX Consulting news, 'AI: The drive for growth and productivity in the professional services market event')
2025 Insurance regulatory changes for UK and US insurers and brokers - In 2025, UK and US insurers face tighter rules on data privacy, climate disclosures, and customer outcomes, with the UK expanding Consumer Duty and algorithm transparency, while the US strengthens data security and adopts state-level climate reporting standards. (IDEX Consulting news, '2025 Insurance regulatory changes for UK and US insurers and brokers')
Improve your talent retention - Supporting employees during periods of absence, such as sickness or parental leave, is crucial for retention. Without proper support, businesses face high turnover costs, averaging £30,614 per employee in the UK. Providing clear guidance and assistance before, during, and after leave helps maintain employee engagement and reduces the risk of losing valuable staff. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Improve your talent retention')
The AI insurance tools to be aware of - AI tools are transforming the insurance profession by improving operational efficiency, risk assessment accuracy, underwriting, and customer service, with technologies like large language models, predictive analytics, and telematics reducing processing times, enhancing fraud detection, and offering more personalised rates. (IDEX Consulting news, 'The AI insurance tools to be aware of')
Enhance your employability with these tips - In 2025, the general insurance sector focuses on refining Employer Value Propositions (EVPs) to attract top talent, with flexibility and adaptability being key. Employees are encouraged to embrace AI, Machine Learning, and Data Management to stay relevant in the evolving industry. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Enhance your employability with these tips')
Travelers' Q1 net income fell to $395M (from $1.123B) due to $2.27B in catastrophe losses from the Jan 2025 California wildfires, though improved underwriting and investment gains partially offset the impact. (Rod Bolivar, 17/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'Travelers reports financial strain after wildfires')
AEGIS London has doubled the capacity of its digital terrorism insurance product SHIELD (Terror) to US$500m, raised the active assailant sub-limit to US$1m, and expanded its reach to serve larger US businesses via surplus lines brokers through its OPAL platform. (Kenneth Araullo, 16/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'AEGIS London doubles digital terrorism cover capacity')
Six firms—including Eva Capital Management, Ocaris Wealth Management, One Four Nine Wealth, Parker Kelly Financial Services, Path Financial Ltd and Sentio Insurance Brokers—achieved Chartered status from the CII in early 2025, reflecting commitments to ethics, client focus, and professional development in wealth management, insurance, and ethical investment advice. (Kenneth Araullo, 16/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'Six new firms gained Chartered status from CII in early 2025')
The Green Insurer has partnered with Carbon Neutral Britain to offset customers’ driving emissions by funding seven global carbon offset projects, including renewable energy, reforestation, and solar initiatives, following its own Carbon Neutral certification last year. (Josh Recamara, 16/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'The Green Insurer partners with Carbon Neutral Britain to offset carbon emissions')
UK insurtech Marshmallow has raised US$90m in equity and debt from Portage, BlackRock, and Columbia Lake Partners to expand its product range and enter new markets, following growth to over 1 million drivers insured and a US$2bn valuation. (Kenneth Araullo, 15/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'UK insurtech Marshmallow gets funding boost to go global')
Aon’s Q4 2024 Global Insurance Market Insights report highlights a buyer-favorable environment in the UK, with declines in cyber, D&O, and property pricing, while automobile rates continued to rise at a slowing pace; insurer capacity remains sufficient, though challenges persist in US-exposed sectors like property and casualty. (Rod Bolivar, 14/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'UK insurance pricing eases - Aon')
RSA Insurance plans to rebrand as Intact Insurance by the end of 2025, aligning with its Canadian parent, Intact Financial Corporation, as part of a broader strategy to unify its global operations under a single identity following its acquisition in 2021 and the 2024 consolidation of RSA, NIG, and FarmWeb. (Jonalyn Cueto, 14/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'RSA Insurance to rebrand by end of 2025')

According to recent reports from the Central Bank and the Injuries Resolution Board, insurers in Ireland are maintaining high profit margins, with a 13% profit margin in 2023, double the international benchmark, as personal injury claims fall by one-third since 2019 and award values decline by 20-30% following the 2021 Judicial Guidelines; liability premiums rose 4% in 2023, and litigation continues to dominate claims resolution despite higher legal costs compared to board settlements. (Josh Recamara, 14/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'Insurers in Ireland maintain high profit margins - report')
The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) plans to modernise its structure and expand internationally, focusing on adapting to emerging risks like cyber threats, climate change, and supply chain disruptions. The proposed membership overhaul aims to include a wider range of professionals, including those transitioning from other sectors, and businesses within its governance framework for broader representation. (Josh Recamara, 14/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'CILA unveils plans to modernise structure and expand global reach')

Mergers and Acquisitions

Optio Group has acquired Norwegian marine hull MGA S Insurance AS, with Directors Gary Sangedal and Marianne Engelsen Hals continuing to lead the team, as part of Optio’s strategy to build a diversified specialist MGA platform across Europe. (Rod Bolivar, 17/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'MGA joins Optio in expansion move')
Markel has agreed to acquire marine-focused MGA The MECO Group, which operates in London, Dubai, and Shanghai and reported US$63m in GWP for 2024; the deal, pending regulatory approval, will expand Markel’s product range and client reach in key maritime markets. (Roxanne Libatique, 16/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'Markel acquires specialist MGA to expand marine insurance reach')
Belgian insurer Ageas has agreed to acquire esure from Bain Capital for £1.295bn, enhancing its UK personal lines presence and distribution capabilities as part of its Elevate27 plan, with the deal expected to close in H2 2025, forming the third-largest personal lines insurer in the UK. (Roxanne Libatique, 14/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'Ageas snaps up esure in near £1.3 billion UK deal')
UK-based digital insurance provider Ripe has acquired GJW Direct from Munich Re Specialty, integrating one of the country’s oldest marine insurance brands into its tech platform to expand its presence in specialist markets and consolidate a significant share of the UK leisure boat insurance market. (Rod Bolivar, 14/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'Ripe advances digital strategy with GJW acquisition')

Movers

H&H Insurance Brokers and H&H Land & Estates have appointed Paul Graham as Managing Director of both businesses; he previously served as MD of H&H Insurance Brokers (2018–2024), Operations Director (2014–2018), and most recently MD of H&H Land & Estates since April 2025 following a brief stint as Senior MD. (Rod Bolivar, 17/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'H&H and TMK appoint new leaders')
Tokio Marine Kiln (TMK) has appointed Oliver Delaney as Head of Liability; a 14-year TMK veteran, he previously served as Divisional Head and played a key role in growing the firm’s international liability portfolio. (Rod Bolivar, 17/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'H&H and TMK appoint new leaders')
Loadsure has strengthened its executive team with several key hires to drive innovation in freight insurance. Carl Pearse joins as Chief Technology Officer from Super Payments, while Tara Farrer becomes Chief of Staff after serving as SVP of Operations at APEXX Global. Prathap Chandran, formerly of Meta and Liquidnet, steps in as EVP of Data, and Jeremy Davis, ex-COO at Umbra Capital Partners, takes on the role of EVP of Strategy. Daisy Dong, who held senior product roles at bolttech, is appointed EVP of Product, and David Goldberg, who previously led marketing at Cover Whale, joins as EVP of Marketing. Kristy Neal, formerly with Cover Whale, Overhaul, and Marsh, becomes Head of Growth. Rounding out the team are Matthew Dybus, former Liberty Mutual cargo underwriter, as VP of Ocean Marine; Brian Hanuschak, previously with AIG and Risk Placement Services, as VP of Inland Marine; and Michael Kennedy, Founder of RFP Lab and Freighttech.net, as VP of Partnerships. (Kenneth Araullo, 15/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'Loadsure bolsters executive team to support freight innovation')
DUAL Europe has opened a marine underwriting hub in Hamburg—its third in two years—led by Klaus Weber, joining from the GDV and IVR; Underwriters Steffen Thormann and Tereza Alisch also join. In a separate move, Samia Baliad, formerly of AIG, AXA, Chubb, and AXA Partners, has been appointed to lead a new Accident & Health division as part of the firm’s broader specialist market expansion. (Josh Recamara, 15/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'DUAL Europe opens new marine underwriting hub in Hamburg')
Atec Group has appointed Max Bullen-Smith as Head of M&A to lead its acquisition-driven growth strategy; he joins from Ardonagh Specialty, where he held the same role, and has also served as Investment Director and Head of Special Projects at Ardonagh, as well as holding roles at Cavendish and starting his career as an Investment Analyst. This appointment follows a private equity investment from Perwyn earlier this year. (Josh Recamara, 15/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'Atec Group appoints new head of M&A from Ardonagh Specialty')
UK-based insurance broker Partners& has restructured its general insurance division, introducing nine new roles overseen by Ewan MacDonald and Lee Davey; eight of the positions were filled by internal promotions, including five graduates of the Partners& Leadership Academy, which has been CII-accredited for two years. (Josh Recamara, 14/4/2025, Insurance Business, 'Partners& restructures general insurance division')