Insurance Insider - Behind the Headlines

Behind the Headlines: John Cavanagh of Octave on the MGA Big Bang

MGAs have boomed in recent years, but is the sector still buoyant as the market cycle shifts? According to John Cavanagh of Octave, the sector remains ripe for opportunity, and is becoming ever more sophisticated. He tells Behind the Headlines that the wave of entrepreneurialism that MGAs have unleashed in the insurance sector resembles the Big Bang that shook up the City of London in the eighties. And in this episode’s news discussion, Insurance Insider’s Rebecca Perkins provides her insight from the recent Baden Baden reinsurance meeting.

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Behind the Headlines: Envelop’s Jonathan Spry on the AI arms race in cybersecurity

What does the rapid march of AI mean for the risk landscape faced by the cyber insurance market? According to Envelop CEO Jonathan Spry, there is a ‘predator-prey’ dynamic at work, with AI deployed by cyber bad actors at the same time as it is rapidly adding to cybersecurity capabilities. The risk arises where potential dislocation emerges and cyber criminals exploit the technology more effectively. Speaking to Behind the Headlines, the executive also explains how Envelop is deploying technology to bolster its forward looking analytics capabilities, and lays out the company’s diversification strategy. This episode’s news discussion features Insurance Insider’s Rachel Dalton on the fallout of Hurricane Isaias.

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Behind the Headlines: Africa Specialty Risk’s Mikir Shah on succeeding in emerging markets

What does it take to succeed in emerging markets with low insurance penetration? Africa Specialty Risks CEO Mikir Shah is on a mission to bring the best of specialty insurance to emerging markets across the globe, and help facilitate economic growth in these regions. The business has just inked a new investment deal with Vitruvian and secured key ratings upgrades. He tells Behind the Headlines of the importance of detailed knowledge of local markets, and how constantly searching out new data sources is key to success. Plus, Insurance Insider’s Abbie Day discusses some worrying signs in prior year underwriting performance in cyber.

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Behind the Headlines: Lloyd’s CFO Jim Bichard on the burgeoning ceded re market

The Lloyd’s market has been instrumental in pioneering new ceded reinsurance vehicles, but what are the prospects for continued growth? According to Lloyd’s CFO Jim Bichard, London Bridge II still only accounts for £3bn of capital, compared to the wider $120-$140bn alternative capital market of cat bonds and collateralised reinsurance. Bichard told Behind the Headlines that the opportunity for continued expansion is therefore significant, and now several major insurers have launched ceded reinsurance syndicates the “spell has been broken”, meaning more will follow. Speaking during the Rendez-Vous de Septembre, Bichard also reflected on Lloyd’s recent H1 results, and the Corporation’s attitude to 2027 business planning. And in his week’s news discussion, Insurance Insider editor Fiona Robertson delivers her key takeaways from meetings in Monte Carlo.

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Behind the Headlines: Marsh Re's Vicky Carter on capital innovation in reinsurance

What is the focus of the reinsurance market heading into the annual Rendez-Vous de Septembre in Monte Carlo? According to Marsh Re’s Vicky Carter, the abundant capital in the market is an opportunity for clients to explore innovative capital structures. Speaking on Behind the Headlines, Carter explained how new reinsurance vehicles in Lloyd’s are a win-win for investors and insurers, and is putting pressure on the conventional reinsurance market. Carter also reflected on her work supporting rising professionals in the reinsurance market, and the impact AI is having on early-stage careers. And in this week’s news discussion, Insurance Insider’s editor-in-chief discusses what is unique about the latest incarnation of the soft market.

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Behind the Headlines: Howden CMA’s Beckham and Cooper on the M&A boom

Following a string of major M&A transactions over the past year, are we past the peak of the M&A cycle? According to Howden Capital Markets & Advisory’s Leo Beckham and Bill Cooper, we should expect to see deals keep on coming. The investment bankers told Behind the Headlines that they are still operating in a “double-sided coin” M&A market – with ongoing buyer and seller interest. The discussion also delves into the innovative new capital structures in the Lloyd’s market, which are attracting an ever more sophisticated cadre of investors into London. Plus, Insurance Insider’s editorial team discuss what a summer of extreme heatwaves means for the insurance sector.

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Behind the headlines: Nick Hankin on QBE Re’s $6bn reinsurance ambitions

QBE Re has doubled in size since 2020, and plans to double its scale again by 2030 to underwrite $6bnn of business. But how can this continued expansion be achieved in a market undergoing significant softening? According to QBE Re managing director Nick Hankin, the business is not relying on one or two big bets, but is targeting broad-based expansion across product and geography. He told Insurance Insider that QBE Re benefits from harnessing the data and broker partnerships of the wider QBE group, as well as its capital strength and balance sheet. And in this week’s news discussion, Insurance Insider editor Fiona Robertson explains what is influencing the rapid growth in the London smart follow market.

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Behind the Headlines: Pool Re’s Tom Clementi on the ever-evolving terrorism threat

Government-backed terrorism reinsurer Pool Re was established in 1993 to respond to commercial market failure caused by the IRA’s bombing campaign. Since then, the terror threat landscape has changed hugely, and Pool Re has evolved with it. Approaching its next strategic review with the Treasury, what are the top priorities for the organisation? CEO Tom Clementi tells Behind the Headlines that Pool Re will continue to push for more business to return to the private market, reducing exposure for the taxpayer. And with insurance penetration still low for smaller firms, Pool Re is aiming to incentivise insurers to improve terrorism coverage for SMEs. Meanwhile, in an editorial discussion Insurance Insider’s Fiona Robertson explains Allianz’s growth aspirations in Lloyd’s.

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Behind the Headlines: Oak Global’s Cathal Carr on reinsurance recency bias

Following a period of dwindling market share for London in reinsurance, reinsurer start-up activity has returned to the Square Mile. One such business is Cathal Carr-led Oak Global, which launched in 2024 and now boasts two syndicates. But why choose to launch in Lloyd’s? Carr told Behind the Headlines how Lloyd’s provided a unique access to capital which was transformational in its launch phase. Discussing market conditions, he said that the soft reinsurance market was operating with “recency bias” following several years of benign claims activity. In addition, Insurance Insider’s Rachel Dalton and Sam Casey discuss a spike in claims activity in the energy market.

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Behind the Headlines: InsurX’s Gilbert Harrap on the evolving world of smart follow

The enhanced underwriting premium in London, including the smart follow market, has swelled to over $5bn of premium. But what is next for the rapidly evolving smart follow sector in the next phase of the market cycle? In the latest episode of Behind the Headlines, InsurX CEO Gilbert Harrap explains how the company is now rolling out its smart follow technology with lead markets. The company is also continuing to expand into new sectors such as construction. Plus, Insurance Insider’s Samuel Casey explains the marine insurance implications of the peace deal in the Middle East.

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Behind the Headlines: Arch’s Hugh Sturgess on the ‘win, win, win’ of facilities

With cross class facilities having proliferated in London in recent years, how will these structures fare in the next phase of the cycle? Arch has been a major participant in this corner of the market, and Arch Insurance International CEO Hugh Sturgess is optimistic about the long-term performance of the structures. He told Behind the Headlines that facilities are a major net benefit for London, achieving vital efficiency gains and brining new business into the market. In a wide-ranging discussion, he also charts how the company has grown across Europe, and how Arch put the groundwork in early to establish a strategy for the softening market conditions. And for this week’s news discussion, Insurance Insider’s Abbie Day tackles the complex emerging issue of silent AI.

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Behind the Headlines: Paul Brand on Convex’s next phase of growth

What’s next for Convex following its rapid expansion and $7bn deal with Onex and AIG last year? In his first major interview since the transaction, CEO Paul Brand tells Behind the Headlines how Convex’s lean operating model is built to withstand the pressures of the soft market. Brand also details the rationale for the carrier’s play in the MGA market, and reflects on his longtime executive partnership with Stephen Catlin. And in this episode’s news discussion, Fiona Robertson explains the emerging tensions in the fast follow market.

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Behind the Headlines: Ex-Brit CEO Matthew Wilson on the power of insurance philanthropy

Matthew Wilson’s life was upended when he received a shock blood cancer diagnosis whilst working as CEO of Brit. Since then, he has thrown himself into fundraising to support research for multiple myeloma, founding the Matthew Wilson Multiple Myeloma Fund and chairing Blood Cancer UK. Speaking with Behind the Headlines, Wilson charts the journey of his diagnosis and treatment, and explains how the philanthropic support of the insurance industry has helped to hugely boost funding for multiple myeloma research. And during the inaugural hosting of London Risk Week, Lady Mayor Dame Sue Langley explains how the London market must keep on adapting to retain its status as a specialist global hub.

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Skuld's Ståle Hansen on managing maritime volatility

How are marine insurers dealing with the geopolitical turmoil impacting global shipping? According to Skuld CEO Ståle Hansen, insurers are adjusting to a new norm of international tensions, and navigating a complex regime of sanctions. The executive joins Behind the Headlines to discuss the unique mutual model of P&I clubs and Skuld’s commercial diversification strategy, as well as reflecting on the company’s involvement in the Lloyd’s market in the 2010s. With the marine class facing its largest claim ever from the Baltimore Bridge disaster, Hansen explained that the incident proves the necessity of the global structure of marine risk sharing with the reinsurance market. Plus, Insurance Insider’s Abbie Day explores how the cyber market is evolving coverage as AI changes the risk landscape.

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Behind the Headlines: Swiss Re’s Jason Richards on reinsurer retention discipline

The reinsurance market made huge strides to structurally transform structures and attachment points in recent years. But as the market softens, is discipline being maintained? According to Jason Richards, CEO of P&C reinsurance UK and Ireland at Swiss Re, the market is holding firm on structure, and it is essential to continue this focus. In a wide-ranging interview for Behind the Headlines he also discusses reinsurer considerations in the Middle East conflict, cyber risk, data centres, and casualty reserving. Plus, Insurance Insider lead reporter Samuel Casey debriefs on what the huge Baltimore Bridge loss will mean for mariners.

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Behind the Headlines: Natasha Jodrell on AdA Underwriters’ specialty diversification

What comes next for AdA Underwriters as it steps onto the Lloyd’s stage? Launched in 2023 with an initial focus on the upstream energy market, AdA has since expanded into adjacent specialty classes. This year, it reached a major milestone by graduating to a full Lloyd’s syndicate. But the bigger question now is how far it can go. CEO Natasha Jodrell has made clear that the ultimate ambition is to build an independent managing agency, while continuing to attract top-tier underwriting talent. Against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in the Middle East and continued volatility in global energy markets, she also pointed to a renewed industry focus on energy security. In this episode’s news discussion, Insurance Insider editor in chief Catrin Shi shares her take on AdA’s trajectory and the broader implications of Lloyd’s evolving strategy.

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Behind the Headlines: IUA’s Chris Jones on marine war market’s Iran response

How has the London insurance market responded to the conflict which has engulfed the Middle East? According to Chris Jones, CEO of the International Underwriting Association, the marine war market has stepped up, and has been offering coverage throughout the crisis, despite the obvious challenges. Chris lifts the lid on how these situations unfold behind the scenes, and highlights that it is safety rather than unavailable insurance which is contributing to the breakdown of trade flows in the Persian Gulf. In addition, Insurance Insider editor at large Adam McNestrie provides unparallelled insight into the latest strategic challenges for Howden as it pursues its quest to conquer the US market.

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Behind the Headlines: Parsyl’s Ben Hubbard on AI-empowered underwriting

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Behind the Headlines: LMG’s Caroline Wagstaff on why London must not stand still

With £187bn of premium written in 2024, £61bn contributed to UK GDP, and a revitalised reinsurance ecosystem, is the London market in danger of getting too comfortable? According to Caroline Wagstaff, CEO of London Market Group, strong performance is no excuse for complacency. In the latest episode of Behind the Headlines, Wagstaff argues that London insurers must continually develop new products to maintain their reputation as innovators, while also addressing demographic challenges by attracting a new generation of talent. In the fortnightly news discussion, Abbie Day, senior reporter at Insurance Insider, takes a deep dive into what the data centre boom really means for insurers.

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Behind the Headlines: Aon’s Joe Peiser on the sheer magnitude of data centre growth

Are data centres really the biggest growth opportunity the insurance industry has ever seen? They’ve burst into the spotlight in recent months, but just how material is this new source of business? According to Joe Peiser, Aon’s CEO of Commercial Risk Solutions, data centres represent the single largest opportunity the industry has ever faced. Speaking on Behind the Headlines, Peiser explains why the sheer scale of these projects — and the insurance limits they demand — is unlike anything the market has seen before. He also makes the case that alternative capital will be essential to sustaining this growth, as traditional insurance capacity alone won’t be enough. Plus, Insurance Insider editor Fiona Robertson breaks down the latest twists in Zurich’s bid to acquire Beazley.

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