Insurance Times rounds up the top five stories making headlines across the market from 27 to 31 July 2026
The most popular story this week was Lloyd’s International Risk Solutions (IRS) insurance broker Julia Majchrzak winning Love Island 2026 in her couple with Lorenzo Alessi.
The finale of series 13 aired on 27 July 2026, with the public vote crowning the 26-year-old broker and Alessi the overall winners, taking home £50,000 between the two of them.
Also making headlines this week was the FCA writing directly to some insurance firms where it thinks their ”business models may be creating heightened risks of conflicts of interest”.
In a statement on the regulator’s website, its new director of insurance, Chris Knight, said that “one item that has crossed my desk is vertically integrated business models” and the conflicts they can create.
Meanwhile, Partners& acquired Bedford-based insurance broker M&DH as it continues to grow its presence in the SME market.
Founded in 2002, M&DH specialises in the construction and manufacturing sectors and employs more than 70 people. The business will become a regional hub for Partners& across the Northern Home Counties.
Another Partners& story grabbed attention this week, with the firm appointing Susan Young as managing partner for SME and schemes.
Finally, MGA Optio announced that international private equity firm Cinven, and global investment group La Caisse, have agreed to jointly acquire a majority stake from Preservation Capital Partners (PCP).
Optio said the move would support its next chapter as it continues to expand its specialist underwriting capabilities, broaden its product offering and grow its international presence.
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