Zurich makes £7.7bn play for Beazley after FTSE 100 firm rejected first offer insurance Zurich Insurance Group has launched its second public pursuit of Lloyd’s of London prominent underwriter Beazley with a revised proposal at 1.280 pence per share, valuing the firm at just under £8bn. At the start of the month, Zurich privately submitted a proposal to the Beazley board to acquire 100 per cent of the company [...]
Insurance giants are no longer afraid to sue competitors over ‘team poaching’ Legal London’s insurance sector is becoming increasingly litigious as the battle for niche talent intensifies, after a wave of High Court cases suggests ‘team poaching’ has become a legal flashpoint. If, like me, you are glued to the court filing system, you’ll have seen a noticeable uptick in lawsuits over restrictive covenants going to London’s High [...]
City businesses warned of disruptions from surge in protests Business City based businesses are being warned to brace for a potential rise in damage or disruption next year, as the UK is predicted to see an increase in protest activity in 2026. A new analysis by Verisk Maplecroft suggests Europe will be among the regions most exposed to protest-related disruption in the coming 12 months, [...]
Vessel insurance in focus after US strikes on Venezuela January 6, 2026 The waters surrounding Venezuela see significant maritime traffic. However, following US air strikes on the country on Friday, an insurance body has advised shipowners to consult with underwriters before sailing. Venezuela is home to the largest proven oil reserves on earth, resulting in busy trade via its waters. Puerto Cabello is the country’s busiest port, [...]
AIG dropped John Neal’s appointment after ‘alleged workplace relationship’ November 19, 2025 The former chief executive of Lloyd’s of London, John Neal, had his offer from AIG pulled after alleged inappropriate workplace relationship came to light. Neal was in a leadership position at Lloyd’s for over six years, having joined from QBE, where he was the group CEO for over five years. He was set to join Aon as [...]
Lloyd’s of London CFO leaves role with Prem Rugby club Saracens November 18, 2025 Lloyd’s of London’s chief financial officer Alexandra Cliff has left her role as director of Prem Rugby club Saracens after less than a year. The former Direct Line Group, StarStone, and AJ Gallagher figure was appointed as a director of Saracens on 25 November last year following the departure of former chief executive Mark Thompson [...]
Fidelis launches new Lloyd’s syndicate with backing from Blackstone October 31, 2025 The Fidelis Partnership (TFP) has announced the launch of Syndicate 2126 with backing from Blackstone, expanding its footprint in the Lloyd’s of London market just 18 months after entering. The new syndicate followed in-principle approval from Lloyd’s and will be managed alongside Fidelis’ existing Syndicate 3123. Blackstone has committed dedicated three-year capacity to back the [...]
The Long Tail: The crucial role of Managing General Agents September 17, 2025 As the fastest-growing segment in property and casualty (P&C) insurance globally, managing general agents (MGAs) are attracting significant investment and playing a crucial role in closing the protection gap. MGAs utilise capital from large insurers to underwrite on their behalf, allowing insurers access to specialised product lines without having to build in-house capabilities. In the [...]
Lloyd’s of London BluePrint Two delayed, again September 4, 2025 The world’s leading insurance and reinsurance market, Lloyd’s of London, has delayed the rollout of its strategy to digitalise the market for the fourth time. Blueprint Two was launched six years ago, labelled an “ambitious strategy” by the market. The programme was pitched as delivering a “profound” change in the market through digitalisation. Lloyd’s, together [...]
Higher interest rates boost Lloyd’s of London September 4, 2025 Lloyd’s of London, the world’s leading insurance and reinsurance market, has reported a profit before tax of £4.2bn for the first half of 2025. Gross written premiums climbed to £32.5bn, up from £30.6bn reported for the same period last year. Its underwriting result fell to £1.5bn, down from £3.1bn the previous year, as the market’s [...]