Mergers & acquisitions (M&A)
M&A trends in the UK insurance sector
After 2024 ended with the mega merger of Aviva and Direct Line being lined up, Insurance Post’s latest podcast examines whether more takeovers are on the cards for the UK industry in 2025.
Direct Line expected to return to profit ahead of Aviva vote
Investment bank Peel Hunt has predicted Direct Line Group will return to profit for the full year 2024, weeks before it is due to release its results and vote on the deal with Aviva.
JMG Group to maintain M&A spree in 2025
JMG Group has announced its intention to continue its acquisition strategy into 2025, following more than 20 acquisitions in 2024.
What to expect from the London market in 2025
Trade Voice: From consolidation to the evolution of specialty lines, Paul Finn, technical author at the London Forum of Insurance Lawyers, runs down the trends we’re likely to see in the London market this year.
Q&A: Matt Button, Davies
Matt Button outlines what he has been tasked with as deputy group CEO of Davies plus how he plans to ensure the business achieves annual global revenues of £2.5bn by the end of 2030.
Record claims payouts signal ‘new normal’ in W&I market
Howden has reported that its clients saw a record year of warranty and indemnity claims recoveries in 2024, with the business class seeing significantly elevated notifications for a second year in a row.
Fitch expects mixed fortunes for UK non-life insurers in 2025
Fitch Ratings has predicted that the UK non-life insurance sector will have mixed fortunes in 2025, with some parts of the market facing an uphill battle to turn a profit.
Holloway replaces Lickens as Clear Group’s M&A lead
Clear Group has named Oscar Holloway as its managing director of mergers and acquisitions, replacing Howard Lickens.
Allianz and LV to merge claims operations
Allianz has started the process to merge the claims operations of both Allianz Commercial and Allianz Personal, which includes LV, Insurance Post can reveal.
Aon doubling new business going into 2025 compared to 2024
Aon UK and Ireland CEO Jane Kielty has told Insurance Post that Aon has “twice as much new work” with existing clients and double the number of new clients going into 2025 than it did going into 2024.
Use of M&A insurance policies surges
The use of warranty and indemnity insurance grew to record levels during the first half of 2024 while claims and payments increase, a poll of providers has shown.
Why Aviva and Direct Line mega merger is nothing to fear
Editor’s View: Working her way through centuries of issues of Insurance Post just as Direct Line’s shareholders accepted Aviva’s £3.7bn bid for the business proved a timely reminder for Emma Ann Hughes of the pros and cons of mega mergers.
Premium increases won’t deliver growth in 2025 says Axa's Walker
Axa UK commercial CEO Jon Walker has outlined how the insurer plans to grow in 2025, noting that a softer market means insurers cannot bank on rate to keep their toplines climbing.
Gallagher confirms $13.45bn AssuredPartners purchase
Arthur J Gallagher & Co today (9 December) announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire AssuredPartners for $13.45bn (£10.5bn).
Uptick in M&A activity among large carriers expected
An uptick in M&A activity at the larger end of the UK insurance carrier capitalisation spectrum is expected towards the end of this year, according to a Clyde & Co report.
Aviva attempts ‘opportunistic’ take-over of Direct Line
Direct Line’s board confirmed this evening (27 November) that they have rejected a £3.3bn takeover bid from Aviva - the second suitor they have turned down so far this year.
Probitas opens five lines of business following Aviva sale
Probitas will begin quoting for five new classes of business marking the first development since it was acquired by Aviva earlier this year.
Aon to acquire PI specialist Griffiths & Armour
Aon has signed a definitive agreement to acquire professional indemnity specialist insurance broker Griffiths & Armour.
Clear enters Lloyd's market with £76m acquisition
Goldman Sachs-backed Clear Group has entered the Lloyd’s market by making Lilley Plummer Risks its largest acquisition to date.
Big interview: David Martin, Aviva
Aviva’s managing director of commercial and chief distribution officer, David Martin sits down with Scott McGee to run through the work done since he joined the insurer, increasing productivity with brokers, and what apprentices need to focus on nowadays…
Big interview: Michael Rea, Gallagher UK
Having taken on the Gallagher UK CEO role at the start of the year, Micheal Rea talks to Jonathan Swift about breaking the £1bn revenue barrier, the benefits of scale, putting M&A on hold and why the market is in transition in terms of rates.
Six reasons Ageas could be the perfect insurance ‘partner’ for Saga
Content Director’s View: As Saga admits it is in talks with Ageas, Jonathan Swift suggests there is a lot to like about a potential ‘partnership’ between the two, not least as a spring board for further deals.
Saga in talks with Ageas over insurance arm
Saga is reported to have entered into exclusive talks with Ageas in relation to its insurance arm.
Big Interview: Warren Dickson, Howden
Warren Dickson, corporate and commercial CEO at Howden, sits down with Harry Curtis to discuss what has changed since the broker acquired Aston Lark and how its breadth of capabilities is paying dividends.