Insurance Times rounds up the top five stories making headlines across the market from 17 November to 21 November 2025.
Among the biggest stories this week was a new analysis from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, which revealed the UK’s latest hotspot for uninsured driving. Purfleet in Thurrock topped the national list, ahead of several Birmingham postcodes that continued to dominate the rankings.
Peterborough, Sandwell, Havering, Manchester and Belfast also featured heavily across the top 10.
The findings reignited industry debate around enforcement and the MIB’s call for government action to raise penalties for uninsured driving from £300 to £1,200.
Lloyd’s of London launched an investigation this week after becoming aware of “market speculation concerning possible historic breaches of policy”.
A statement sent to Insurance Times confirmed that chair Sir Charles Roxburgh commissioned an independent fact-finding review earlier this year to examine governance processes. The initial work found that internal procedures “had not been fully adhered to” in a previous matter.
This followed a Wall Street Journal report on 19 November 2025, which said AIG withdrew its offer for John Neal to become its president after learning that Lloyd’s had reopened an inquiry into his conduct. Neal was due to join AIG in December 2025.
Howden announced its agreement to acquire the insurance services provided by the Church of Scotland.
The deal will see Howden take over the administration of the Church of Scotland Insurance Services scheme, with all operational employees transferring to the broker’s Edinburgh office.
The acquisition followed the planned retirement of Cosis’ directors. Chief executive Barry Clarkson will remain to oversee the deregulation process before stepping down.
Marsh appointed James Addington-Smith as its new UK chief executive, with long-serving leader Chris Lay set to retire.
Addington-Smith, currently president of Marsh Asia, will take up the role in early 2026. He previously led Marsh’s marine business in Asia and served in several senior specialty and retail positions. He will be responsible for delivering Marsh’s UK commercial strategy across risk management, corporate and commercial clients, specialty broking and consulting services.
Aviva rounded off the week by appointing Rachel Purchase as chief underwriting officer for Direct Line Retail.
Purchase currently serves as director of data and analytics at Admiral and will join Aviva’s personal lines leadership team in February 2026. In her new role, she will oversee pricing and underwriting across Direct Line’s direct and PCW brands, including Direct Line, Churchill and Privilege.
The appointment followed the creation of the combined Aviva and Direct Line personal lines leadership structure in September 2025.
No comments yet