Mergers & acquisitions (M&A)
Towergate completes triple acquisition
Towergate has inked deals to acquire Canworth Commercial, Irvine Insurance Services and John Fairley Insurance.
Ace acquires majority stake of bank's insurance arm in Thailand
Ace has taken a 60.9% stake in the general-insurance division of Siam Commercial Bank for $185m (4.5bn baht).
Gallagher tipped to enhance global stature with Oval acquisition
A take-over of broker Oval would see Arthur J Gallagher cement its position within the top echelons of the broking world, according to Bluefin executive chairman Stuart Reid.
Sale of Equity Direct Broking to NMG completed
Equity Insurance Group has announced the completion of the sale of Equity Direct Broking to NMG Holdings.
Hastings staff to pocket windfall as Goldman Sachs deal is completed
Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division has signed off on a deal to acquire 50% of the voting share capital in Hastings Insurance Group.
Aviva and Sampo floated as potential suitors for RSA
Investment bank UBS has lifted its price target on RSA from 100p to 113p and issued a buy rating for the insurer, based on the prospect of a consortium bid for the firm led by Scandinavian rival Sampo.
Brokerbility wraps up Fehnert acquisition
Brokerbility has confirmed a deal to acquire East Midlands broker Fehnert, as well as recruiting a new member to its broker group in the South West.
Swinton acquires Harrogate insurer's GI book
Swinton has acquired the general insurance book of Harrogate-based insurer Harrington Bates while announcing it expects another acquisition deal to be completed this month.
Central deal was two years in the making, claims Marsh boss
Marsh’s first ever managing director for Scotland is targeting regional dominance after revealing an array of interested parties were turned down ahead of the deal that saw his former Central Insurance Services business acquired by Marsh.
Marsh cements Scottish position with Central Insurance deal
Marsh has reached an agreement to acquire Aberdeen-based Central Insurance Services in a deal that is expected to propel the combined entity to being the leading broker in Scotland.
Lark to generate £25m annually following HMT re-brand
HMT has been re-branded as Lark Special Risks & Post Conflict five months after Lark acquired the Esher-based broker.
Cullum set to launch equity release venture
A new broker equity release venture backed by Towergate's non-executive deputy chairman Peter Cullum is set to launch in the coming weeks.
Hampden Underwriting acquisitions increase underwriting capacity to £20.2m
Hampden Underwriting has acquired two further Lloyd’s limited liability members taking its total underwriting capacity to £20.2m.
GC Securities selected as sole financial advisor for Canopius sale
Guy Carpenter’s GC Securities is acting as the sole financial advisor to the shareholders of Canopius in the sale to NKSJ Holdings, through its insurance subsidiary Sompo Japan Insurance.
Helvetia increases its share in Nationale Suisse
Helvetia Group has cemented itself as a core shareholder in Nationale Suisse after one of its businesses increased its stake to 12.7%.
Bluefin acquires Scottish PI broker
Bluefin has acquired independent Edinburgh-based broker P I Brokers for an undisclosed sum.
Watson to remain as Canopius CEO ahead of Sompo-backed M&A activity
Canopius chairman Michael Watson will not look to replace outgoing chief executive Inga Beale and will instead occupy the role himself on a permanent basis as he eyes acquisition opportunities under the ownership of NKSJ Holdings’ Sompo Japan.
Hiscox merges UK & Ireland and Europe businesses
Hiscox is to merge its UK and Ireland business and its European operation into one unit entitled Hiscox UK and Europe.
External candidate expected to replace Lee at RSA as sale speculation mounts
Analysts say firm could seek to raise capital by selling international operations
Sompo agrees deal for Canopius
Japan’s NKSJ Holdings has agreed a deal to acquire 100% of the shares of Canopius Group via its insurance subsidiary Sompo Japan Insurance.
Gallagher acquires Bergvall Marine
Arthur J. Gallagher has acquired Norway-based marine broker Bergvall Marine for an undisclosed fee.
Novae plays down speculation of imminent Antares deal
Novae has attempted to pour cold water on speculation linking the firm with a bid for fellow Lloyd’s player Antares by stating that “there is no certainty” of a deal taking place.
Truell bolsters GI presence with stake in 'game changing' tech business
City financier Edmund Truell has acquired a significant minority stake in technology business Regulatory Efficiency Gains, which he believes will “completely change” the way the insurance market operates.
IAG buys Wesfarmers' underwriting arms
Insurance Australia Group has bought conglomerate Wesfarmers' underwriting operations for A$1.85bn (£1bn) subject to regulatory approval.