What happens when a global broker network decides to fill a gap in the London market itself?

Assurex Global is a worldwide network of over 100 independent brokers, placing around $50bn of premium. Partners in the network pump about $4bn of premium into the London market, and according to CEO and president Dean Hildebrandt, the ongoing consolidation in the London wholesale space had created a “void”.

This is why Assurex has opted to create its own London wholesaler, AG London, the subject of the latest episode of Behind the Headlines.

AG London president Will Ripley explained that AG London’s model means it won’t be competing with its distribution partners in domestic markets—an advantage in the current climate.

And in our news digest, Insurance Insider reporter Abbie Day explains why trade credit insurers are flooding into Lloyd’s.

What does it take to turn a family-run insurance group into a global powerhouse?

That’s the question HW Kaufman is tackling head-on. The parent company of RB Jones and Burns & Wilcox has global ambitions—and it’s brought in international CEO Paul Greensmith to lead the charge.

In this episode of Behind the Headlines, Greensmith shares how he’s driving strategic growth in key markets like London and Dubai, and why he’s doubling down on lead underwriting rather than playing in the commoditized follow space. He also hints at the potential for a future Lloyd’s platform.

Plus, following a wave of disruption in the broking world, Insurance Insider’s Adam McNestrie unpacks Howden’s bold play for the US retail market.

What’s next for one of Lloyd’s largest syndicates as it sets its sights beyond London?

Chaucer is a long-established force in the London market, with its flagship Syndicate 1084 underwriting more than $2bn in business—making it one of the largest at Lloyd’s. Now under the leadership of CEO Richard Milner, who took the helm last year, the China Re-owned group is shaping a bold new five-year strategy. With two-thirds of Chaucer’s business already written outside London, Milner reveals that further international growth is firmly on the agenda—whether through opening new offices or pursuing M&A opportunities.

Plus, Insurance Insider’s Adam McNestrie breaks down how Gallagher’s rapid rise is shaking up the dominance of the Big Three brokers.

How is The Fidelis Partnership choosing to launch into new insurance classes as it rapidly expands? 

The Pine Walk MGA platform has grown significantly in recent years and now writes over $900mn of business. As The Fidelis Partnership continues to diversify its portfolio, deputy group CUO and CEO of insurance Richard Coulson told Behind the Headlines that the company is "agnostic" about whether it enters new classes via a Pine Walk MGA or through its central MGU. With its flexible capital structure—including Fidelis Insurance Group, third-party capacity deals, and its new Lloyd’s Syndicate—Coulson explains that Fidelis has a range of options to link capital with underwriting talent. 

Plus, Insurance Insider's Rachel Dalton explains the significance of CRC Group’s acquisition of Atrium.

Is the ransomware threat really getting worse – or just more visible?
A spree of cyber attacks targeting major UK retailers has thrown ransomware back into the spotlight. But according to Tom Draper, UK managing director at Coalition, it’s not that threats are rising — it’s that companies are operating in an increasingly complex cyber crime ecosystem.

In Behind the Headlines, Draper unpacks the key challenges facing cyber underwriters today, from softening rates to the lingering effects of last year’s CrowdStrike outage.

Plus, in this week’s news rundown, Insurance Insider’s Fiona Robertson breaks down how the Willis Re talent rebuild is gaining momentum.

Is the huge growth experienced by the MGA sector run out of steam?

Not so, according to Danny Maleary, CEO of MGA incubator Pro MGA Global Solutions.

Malearly told Behind the Headlines that there are major opportunities for MGA expansion in markets where the model is comparatively immature, such as Europe and the Middle East.

With decades of experiencing helping underwriters to found and grow coverholders, Maleary also lays out what it takes to build a successful MGA, and the challenges underwriters face striking out on their own.

Plus, Insurance Insider’s Rachel Dalton explains why a surge of M&A activity at Lloyd’s could be on the horizon. 

What’s next for Conduit Re’s strategy following a leadership shake-up?

New CEO Neil Eckert tells Insurance Insider that his vision is one of “evolution, not revolution” — with plans to build on the carrier’s core reinsurance strengths.

In this episode of Behind the Headlines, the serial entrepreneur shares the origin story of Conduit Re and how his past ventures, including Brit, are shaping his current leadership.

Plus, Insurance Insider's Abbie Day delivers timely analysis from the cyber market amid a sharp rise in cyberattacks on UK retailers.

Are intermediaries facing tougher times as the broking supercycle winds down?

Following several years of rapid growth, the softening market is making expansion more challenging for intermediaries. However, BMS group chief broking officer Richard Dudley remains highly optimistic about BMS’s growth prospects. He shares that rather than focusing on a “finite universe of risk”, providing solutions for emerging threats can aid ongoing growth.

In this episode of Behind the Headlines, Dudley also shares insights on BMS’s evolving M&A strategy and explores how the insurance sector can harness data and analytics for broader societal benefit.

Plus, Insurance Insider US managing editor Thor Schier brings highlights from the RIMS conference in Chicago.

What does it take to stay profitable as the insurance cycle shifts — and why is leadership diversity still lagging in the London market?

Jane Warren, active underwriter at Liberty Specialty Markets, board member of the Lloyd’s Market Association and London Market Group, and a member of the Council of Lloyd’s, brings a wide-angle lens to all facets of the London market.

In this episode of Behind the Headlines, she emphasizes that underwriting discipline—not reliance on investment returns—is key to maintaining profitability as the market cycle evolves. Warren also addresses the slow pace of progress in appointing women to senior roles, stressing that female leadership should not be viewed as a “social experiment.”

Meanwhile, Insurance Insider lead reporter Rachel Dalton unpacks the rising wave of broker M&A activity in Germany.

Why have reinsurance start-ups remained so rare in recent years, even as underwriting conditions have improved?

Mereo Advisors is one of the few carriers to successfully raise capital, although Mereo Insurance CEO and CUO David Croom-Johnson told Behind the Headlines that the process was at times “torturous”.

Croom-Johnson explains how the business has now written its first $100mn of business, and how he aims to build a diversified portfolio to weather market cycles. And although he sees “great attractions” in the Lloyd’s market, to begin with the business will focus on building as a Class 3B Bermudian reinsurer, without the distraction of launching a syndicate.

Plus, Insurance Insider editor Fiona Robertson discusses what Donald Trump’s tariffs might mean for the sector.