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. 

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

Have you ever wondered what goes into launching a new syndicate at Lloyd's?

The latest Behind the Headlines guest Paul Andrews helped bring three new syndicates to market at the start of the year, and in this episode explains how to navigate the process. According to Andrews, there is a healthy pipeline of start-up activity in Lloyd's in 2026, but budding syndicates need to bring something new to the table in order to succeed. 

Plus, Insurance Insider's Rachel Dalton comments on a dramatic week in London M&A following Zurich's offer to buy Beazley.

What is the strategic thinking behind The Fidelis Partnership’s unique business model?

According to CEO Richard Brindle the firm is now increasingly perceived by balance sheet reinsurers as a distributor, as opposed to a direct competitor.

He tells Behind the Headlines that the diverse structure – including backing from a listed balance sheet, plus two Lloyd’s syndicates and MGA incubator Pine Walk – is the best thing he has built in his career

The firm is ploughing ahead with its strategy to expand in high growth global markets beyond insurance’s traditional heartlands – an area where he says the wider industry’s track record has been “woeful”.

In a typically forthright interview, the serial entrepreneur also shares his views on the 1.1 reinsurance renewals, opportunities linked to data centres, and the work ethic in the City.

Plus, Fiona Robertson discusses the Insurance Insider editorial team’s predictions for the major themes to shape 2026.

What were the defining moments that shaped the insurance market in 2025? In a bonus episode of Behind the Headlines, Insurance Insider's Editor at Large Adam McNestrie provides his unparallelled insight into what he sees as the key developments influencing the sector. The changing of the guard at Lloyd's, Howden's ambitious launch into the US market, and a breakneck cycle of carrier M&A transactions are all on the agenda. Tune in to hear the perspective of a journalist who has occupied a front row seat breaking news on all of these subjects.