Insurance Times rounds up the top five stories making headlines across the market from 19 to 23 January 2026
M&A speculation dominated readership this week after Zurich made a bold move for UK specialty insurer Beazley.
Zurich confirmed it had approached Beazley with a cash offer valuing the business at 1,280 pence per share, following an earlier bid that was rejected for “significantly undervaluing” the insurer.
The potential deal would establish a global specialty insurance platform with around $15bn of gross written premium.
Meanwhile, Beazley moved quickly to urge calm among investors, telling shareholders to “take no action” while its board considered the proposal.
In a statement issued the day after Zurich’s revised offer, Beazley said its board had “not yet had the chance to consider” the proposal and would update shareholders in due course.
Broker consolidation speculation also attracted readership, following reports that private equity firm Warburg Pincus was weighing a potential sale of London-based specialty broker McGill and Partners.
According to Bloomberg, early discussions have taken place with potential advisers, with any formal sale process likely to begin later in 2026. A transaction could value the broker at more than $1bn.
McGill and Partners declined to comment, while Warburg Pincus also opted not to respond.
Away from dealmaking, insurer-broker relationships were firmly in the spotlight after Intact Insurance launched a new trading proposition aimed at increasing accessibility and visibility across the regions.
The initiative, branded Intact Trading, will introduce regular new business and renewal surgeries, in-office training sessions and weekly trading days where underwriters are directly available to brokers.
The roll out begins in the south of the UK, supported by regional roadshows, with nationwide coverage planned by the end of March 2026.
Rounding off the week, MGA strategy took centre stage after Ardonagh Europe unveiled a new pan-European underwriting platform.
The launch of Orvia Underwriting brings together several Ardonagh-owned MGAs across London and Europe into a single platform with more than €250m of gross written premium.
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.
No comments yet