Mergers & acquisitions (M&A)
Direct Line confirms it rejected ‘opportunistic’ Ageas bid
Direct Line has said it received an approach to buy the group from Ageas on 19 January, which it felt “significantly undervalued” the group and its prospects.
Ageas mulls £3.1bn bid for Direct Line
Ageas has confirmed that it is in the “preliminary stages” of considering a £3.1bn bid for Direct Line.
What M&A activity in 2023 indicates for deals in 2024
Data analysis: The number of UK insurance merger and acquisition deals rose from 98 in 2022 to 112 in 2023, but total deal value fell significantly from £5.1bn to £3.3bn year-on-year.
RSA acquisition of NIG to close at start of May
RSA’s acquisition of Direct Line Group’s brokered commercial lines business is set to be completed on 1 May.
Why 2024 could be the year of insurtech consolidation
Data analysis: Francess Stebbing examines whether insurtech start-ups will struggle to find funding in 2024 and be forced to partner-up with traditional providers to achieve scale.
Close Brothers partners with Hedron; Howden buys Laurie Ross; Admiral rebrands Toolbox
Friday Round-Up: Insurance Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
Who is going to snap up insurance brokers in 2024
Age Lindenbergh, leader of the European Alvarez and Marsal’s Transaction Advisory Group, on why consolidation in the UK insurance brokerage market shows no signs of slowing down and where in the world cash is coming from to buy businesses.
Auxillis owner ‘in talks to buy Kindertons’
According to multiple industry sources, conversations are being held for the potential sale of accident management and mobility company Kindertons to Redde Northgate, the parent company of Auxillis.
R&Q shareholders narrowly approve Accredited sale
R&Q shareholders have approved the proposed $465m (£365.6m) sale of Accredited to Onex by a margin of 55.2% to 44.8%.
RSA and Brit partner; Policy Expert expands top team; Guidewire chair joins Hyperexponential
Friday Round-Up: Insurance Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
Is the Aon–NFP deal a sign of mega broking M&A to come?
Content Director's View: Jonathan Swift reflects on the recent record broking deal between Aon and NFP, and asks whether the $13.4bn (£10.5bn) price tag will be beaten by another acquisition in 2024.
Five biggest challenges facing insurers in 2024 revealed
To get you ready for the next 12 months, Insurance Post uncovers five things you need to know about what 2024 holds in store for the industry, according to insurance analysts.
Headlines that shook insurance in 2023
The news and views that shaped insurance in 2023, plus what can you expect from Insurance Post in 2024, are all revealed in our final video podcast of the year.
R&Q eyes growing legacy market as Onex sale vote approaches
R&Q has said it is in advanced talks for three deals that would boost its reserves under management by $100m.
What next for Primary Group in the UK after Policy Expert sale?
Content Director’s View: Jonathan Swift reflects on what the future might hold for the Primary Group in the UK after the sale of Policy Expert left it with only one significant investment in the local market.
Admiral tipped as preferred bidder for RSA home and pet books
Admiral is the preferred bidder for the RSA household and pet insurance books, Insurance Post can reveal.
Standalone R&Q legacy business to target profitability by 2025
A “refocused” R&Q legacy insurance business will expect to deliver operating profitability by the end of 2025 if the proposed sale of the company’s programme management arm Accredited goes ahead.
Gallagher’s Foley on why post-M&A integration is key to success
View from the top: Ronan Foley, CEO of Gallagher in Ireland, explains why post-acquisition integration can be make or break for brokers.
Allianz and Intact pondering Aviva takeover, reports claim
The Times has reported that "market chatter" has suggested Allianz and RSA owner Intact, are considering lining up a bid to buy Aviva.
Who’ll buy RSA’s home and pet books if sale is green-lit?
Content Director’s View: With RSA and parent Intact floating the idea of a possible sale of its remaining personal lines business, Jonathan Swift looks at who could be in the market for a new pet and/or household book.
A-Plan to be replaced by Howden on high streets
The A-Plan brand is to disappear from 100 branches across the UK, replaced by the Howden brand.
Insurance M&A volume soars but deal value falls
Data analysis: The number of UK insurance merger and acquisition deals rose from 48 in the first half of 2022 to 54 at the start of 2023 but the total publicly disclosed deal value fell from £3.8bn to £16m year-on-year.
Neal predicts consolidation as Lloyd’s delivers £3.9bn H1 pre-tax profit
Lloyd’s CEO John Neal has said the market’s underwriting performance is “as good as we’ve seen in recent decades”, as it reported a £3.9bn profit before tax for the first half of 2023.
Markel launches construction proposition; Pen secures solcitors' PI capacity; Partners& acquires Nex Gen
Friday Round-Up: Insurance Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.