Five established broking firms have joined together in a new venture led by Phil Barton focused on insurance, risk management and employee benefits. Partners& is formed from the acquisitions of MRIB and Independents, La Playa, CGI and Versatile and has a team of 140 people in 9 offices across the South East, Midlands and South West handling gross written premium of £65m.

Broker Gallagher has promoted Simon Collings to managing director of the national broking and placement team within its UK retail division. He replaces Mark Armitage who retired at the end of March.

Allianz Insurance has secured a new three-year vehicle fleet deal with Toyota and Lexus which will see the insurer’s own fleet move from diesel to hybrid power. Under the deal, Allianz will receive a delivery of up to 200 vehicles a year as it transitions its vehicle fleet away from diesel power to Toyota’s self-charging hybrid technology.

Insurer NFU Mutual has increased its investment in Guidewire technology in a move designed to accelerate its digital distribution strategy and product design.

Smart technology provider, Hero Labs has launched an insurtech business, which plans to offer discounts on home insurance where smart devices, such as Hero Labs smart home leak detector, are fitted. It also plans to offer an automated claims service.

Aon and Willis Towers Watson have partnered with the Chartered Insurance Institute in an initiative designed to help companies open up the workplace for people at the higher end of the Autism Spectrum.