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.

What does the bustling insurance industry of today have in common with the coffee shops of the seventeenth century?

While underwriters and brokers now operate from towering skyscrapers, some of the City's oldest traditions endure. The City of London Corporation continues to oversee the governance of the square mile, with Gallagher's executive chair, Dame Sue Langley, playing a key role as alderwoman. Later this year, she will take on the prestigious role of Lady Mayor. Tune in to the latest episode of Behind the Headlines to discover how the City helps elevate the sector's international reputation and how regulators' competitiveness agenda is shaping the industry.

Also in this episode, Insurance Insider's Rachel Dalton dives deep into the long-term ambitions of insurers participating in broker facilities.

What are the potential consequences for businesses amid escalating loss costs in the US casualty market? 

According to Acrisure Re CEO Simon Hedley, the class of business may begin to deliver some healthy results for businesses who have got a handle on the situation, and developed a well-priced, diversified portfolio. He also told the Behind the Headlines podcast that artificial intelligence is set to significantly transform the industry, with the only question being the pace of change. According to the CEO, those companies not investing in AI risk being left behind.

Plus, Insurance Insider’s Rebecca Perkins looks back on her trip to the Bermuda Risk Summit. 

Is the MGA start-up boom here to stay?

According to BP Marsh's chief investment officer Dan Topping, the answer is a resounding 'yes'. The seasoned investor tells Behind the Headlines that he is still seeing significant inbound interest from entrepreneurial underwriters looking to strike out on their own. He also explains how the trend towards broker consolidation may yet spawn an era of new start-ups. Plus, if you are looking to launch your own business, Topping lays out what BP Marsh looks for when it considers its next investment opportunity. 

 Also in this episode, Insurance Insider's lead reporter Rachel Dalton shares insights on how the California wildfires may influence Japanese treaty renewals.

How does a young insurance company surpass growth expectations and successfully reposition itself in the market as a fully independent player?

In this episode of Insurance Insider’s Behind the Headlines, CEO Mark Allan opens up about Ki Insurance's journey from launch in 2021 to a premium powerhouse. Now fully independent from Brit, Ki is at a pivotal moment—so how will its model fare as the market shifts?

Allan dives into the company’s strategy, detailing how Ki is evolving into a marketplace, creating new partnership opportunities, and driving growth through algorithmic underwriting. He also shares how Ki continues to outperform the market in terms of expenses while heavily investing in tech development. 

Plus, senior reporter Sam Casey sheds light on how the downstream energy market might feel the impact of over $1bn in claims just since the start of the year.

The renewable energy sector is a major growth opportunity for the insurance industry but the loss experience has been challenging.

This was underlined last month by another major battery fire at the Moss Landing complex in California, which will cost insurers hundreds of millions of dollars. According to Nardac CEO Jatin Sharma, the event has shaken the confidence of the underwriting community.

Underwriters have already moved to sub-limit certain perils, and this is making the investment landscape for renewable energy projects problematic. However, addressing this capacity shortfall represents an opportunity, and the renewables industry is still booming in the heartlands of the US .

Plus, Insurance Insider's Rebecca Perkins explains the insurance implications of several tragic plane crashes. 

What is fueling the intense mergers and acquisitions activity in the MGA space, and how is it shaping the competitive landscape?

In this episode of Behind the Headlines, Specialty MGA Optio Group CEO Deepak Soni discusses the opportunities in the European market and how the European MGA space is growing but not yet fully mature. He also shares his insights into how distribution via coverholders remains a relatively new concept, making it fertile ground to add value through acquisition and integration. 

Plus, Insurance Insider’s Fiona Robertson explains how the property cat sector is set to be impacted by the devastating California wildfires.