Insurance Times rounds up the top five stories making headlines across the market from 26 to 30 January 2026
Mergers and acquisitions activity once again dominated Insurance Times’ most read stories this week, with Australian-headquartered AUB Group agreeing to acquire a majority shareholding in Prestige Insurance.
The deal, which is expected to be completed before 30 June 2026, will see Prestige become AUB’s flagship UK retail broking business. Prestige owns a portfolio of broking firms including AbbeyAutoline, Open and Direct, Bond Lovis and Find Insurance NI, alongside MGA operations and an insurtech platform.
In an Insurance Times exclusive, Clear Group-owned Brokerbility acquired the Gauntlet Appointed Representative network and Gauntlet Retail Brokers.
Gauntlet founder Roger Gaunt will remain involved to help grow the expanded appointed representative proposition across the combined membership.
Aviva chief executive Amanda Blanc met chancellor Rachel Reeves at the Treasury after stepping down from her five year role as the government’s Women in Finance Champion.
Reeves said Blanc had led “the charge on strengthening the pipeline for women into financial services”, while Blanc said she was “incredibly proud of the progress made” and backed successor Debbie Crosbie to continue driving change.
Ecclesiastical appointed Andy Levens as northern regional underwriting manager, replacing Andy Pearce ahead of his retirement after 25 years with the insurer.
Levens joined from Allianz, where he most recently served as property and casualty manager following a career progression from graduate roles.
Aegon confirmed it had begun a strategic review of its UK business, including the possibility of a sale, as part of a wider pivot towards the US market.
According to reports in the Financial Times, potential buyers showing early interest included Phoenix Group, Scottish Widows, Royal London and private equity firm CVC, with Goldman Sachs understood to be overseeing the process.
The insurer said “all options will be evaluated, including a potential divestment”, but declined to comment further while the review is ongoing.
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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