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.

Following several years of stellar returns for reinsurers, what does this year's January renewal pricing swing mean for clients?

In this episode, Howden Re’s David Flandro brings his decades of experience monitoring market cycles to bear as he considers where the market could go next.

Whilst capacity is ample and capital flowing into reinsurance markets, high catastrophe exposure and global turmoil could contribute to elevated premiums in the longer term. And as pricing tailwinds reduce, innovation will come to the fore as a means of achieving growth through the next phase of the cycle. 

Also in this episode, Insurance Insider editor Fiona Robertson discusses the themes that could dominate the insurance market during 2025. 

What is the fate of rating conditions in the coming year and how are major players preparing?

Head of Aon’s Global Broking Centre, Tracy-Lee Kus has a unique insight into conditions in the London market. In this episode of Behind the Headlines, she explains how rating conditions will be on the downward slope for 2025. And following the expansion of Aon Client Treaty, Tracy-Lee reveals that underwriters were lining up to participate on the facility.

Plus, Insurance Insider’s Adam McNestrie talks about why he thinks now is a dangerous time for the London market.

The proliferation of broker facilities has been a growing trend – but is it just a symptom of the market cycle?
According to Simon Wilson – president of Markel International – the current move to facilitisation is a “structural shift” driven by tech and algorithmic capabilities. These structures are here to stay.
Tune in to the latest episode of Behind the Headlines to hear how Wilson thinks market conditions will develop in 2025, why Markel is leaning into specialty, and how he thinks the industry can address its talent challenge. 

What should we expect in the world of deal-making in 2025? According to Tony Ursano of Insurance Advisory Partners, the stage is set for a spree of transactions. In Lloyd's, it's a question of when, not if deals will take place. Meanwhile, the MGA market remains "red hot". Plus, Insurance Insider editor Fiona Robertson discusses the key messages from the London Market Conference.