Insurance Times rounds up the top five stories making headlines across the market from 5 to 9 January 2026
Among the most read stories this week was Brown and Brown securing a significant court victory against Howden in the US, after judges imposed sweeping injunctions following mass broker departures and alleged misuse of confidential information.
US courts found there was a “substantial likelihood” that Brown and Brown would prevail on the merits of its claims, after hundreds of employees were alleged to have left to join Howden US Services. The rulings marked the first major legal restraints imposed following Howden’s US market entry earlier in 2025.
Meanwhile, a senior people move in the personal lines market also proved popular with readers, after Axa’s director of retail direct confirmed his departure to re-join Aviva.
David Pearce, who spent four years at Axa, returned to Aviva to take up a newly created commercial director role at Aviva Zero, the insurer’s pay-as-you-drive and carbon offsetting proposition.
Long-serving industry figures were also in focus this week, following the retirement of Axa veteran Dougie Barnett after more than two decades at the insurer.
Barnett, who held several senior commercial risk and sustainability roles, was credited with shaping Axa’s approach to risk management, green building and emerging technologies, as well as representing the insurer across government, regulatory and ABI initiatives.
Regulatory scrutiny continued to dominate headlines after the FCA opened and publicised an enforcement investigation into claims management company The Claims Protection Agency.
The watchdog said the exceptional decision to make the probe public was intended to protect consumers and maintain confidence in the financial system, after growing concern over advertising and sales practices linked to potential motor finance claims.
Rounding off the week, merger and acquisition activity returned to the spotlight after Uris Group acquired Ardonagh-owned protection specialist Lutine Assurance Services.
The deal added a £5.5m GWP book to Uris Group’s MGA portfolio, strengthening its position in the group business protection market as demand for specialist protection products continues to grow.
Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
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