Mergers & acquisitions (M&A)
Has broker Bennetts set a record with seven owners since 2000?
Content Director’s View: Private equity, consolidators, insurers seeking diversification ... these have all contributed to a boom in M&A and investment in the UK insurance sector since 2000. Jonathan Swift looks at which businesses have – as a result – changed hands the most since the turn of the century.
UK insurance chiefs’ demand for AI tools driving M&A plans
More than a quarter of insurance company chief executives have said an appetite to boost their artificial intelligence toolkit is driving their acquisition plans, but some are struggling with resistance from staff, according to a new survey.
Hiscox’s share price surges following Intact interest
Hiscox’s share price surged on Friday (15 May) following Insurance Post’s report that Intact was considering a potential acquisition.
BSpoke’s trading capability; Intact's extension; Ascend's M&A head
Friday Round-Up: Insurance Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
TimeTo: Reflect on the 2026 Biba Conference
Content Director’s View: This week a swathe of the UK general insurance sector decamped to Manchester for the annual British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference. Jonathan Swift reflects on some of the themes and talking points of the 2026 iteration.
Michael Rea, Gallagher
Michael Rea’s first full year as CEO of Gallagher’s UK & Ireland broking business has reinforced his reputation as one of the nation’s biggest movers and shakers in insurance.
Insurance industry’s most powerful leaders revealed
Insurance Post’s Power List cuts through the noise to reveal who really moved markets, shifted outcomes and shaped the UK general insurance sector over the last 12 months.
Adrian Cox, Beazley
Since becoming Beazley Group CEO in 2021, Adrian Cox has overseen a continued evolution of the specialist insurer, which is soon set to become part of Zurich Insurance.
Chris Rash, AIG
Chris Rash has had to navigate a turbulent start to his tenure as CEO of AIG UK, with the hiring of John Neal as the insurer’s president called off and speculation mounting about a potential takeover.
Drazen Jaksic, Zurich
Drazen Jaksic climbs higher on this year’s Insurance Post Power List as the takeover of Beazley sees his influence expanding further into the London market.
What it takes to be a Power List player in 2026
This year’s Insurance Post Power List ranking of the general insurance industry’s movers and shakers weights four core factors.
Ripe reveals acquisition and new product plans
Ripe CEO Alan Thomas discusses the MGA’s growth plans and its move to launch a ChatGPT app.
Big Interview: Matt Cox, Allianz UK
After Allianz UK merged the claims operations of commercial and personal lines, Scott McGee speaks to Matt Cox, the man in charge of the integration and the joint claims team moving forward.
DOXA makes UK entry with Eaton Gate acquisition
US-based DOXA has bought Eaton Gate for an undisclosed sum, marking its first move into the UK market and signalling further international expansion plans.
PIB to cool down on M&A as it confirms AI job cuts
PIB Group is taking a more cautious approach to M&A after completing a record 31 deals in 2025, deputy CEO Ryan Brown has told Insurance Post.
Macquarie launches transactional liability insurance business
Macquarie Asset Management has launched Longbrook Insurance, specialising in global mergers and acquisitions.
Howden IAL launches following Hymans Robertson deal
Howden has formed Howden Insurance Actuarial and Longevity after buying Hymans Robertson’s insurance and financial services consulting team.
Insurer CEOs bet big on AI and M&A for growth
Insurance chief executives have artificial intelligence, dealmaking and ESG strategy at the heart of their growth plans for this year, according to KPMG.
Zurich and Beazley agree £8.2bn deal
Zurich Insurance Group has agreed the terms of a firm all-cash offer to buy Beazley for £8.2bn.
Q&A: Ashleigh Gwilliam, nCino
Ashleigh Gwilliam, director of insurance at nCino, talks to Insurance Post about life post-acquisition, soft market dynamics, and what the firm has planned for 2026.
Dunny or delight? Rating Australian forays into UK insurance
Content Director’s View: With Australian firm AUB Group doubling down on its UK growth plans with a deal for Prestige Insurance Holdings, Jonathan Swift reviews other notable Antipodean overseas insurance expansion plans to assess its chances of success.