The Lloyd’s Market Association has stated its priorities for 2025 as promoting a simplified and digitised market, regulatory advocacy, technical expertise, and culture. The professional body said these priorities would support its purpose to maintain Lloyd’s market’s position in the vanguard of the global insurance sector.

Managing general agent ARTes Specialty has agreed a partnership with Australian-based broker Mobius Insurance to provide a combined material damage and associated liability product for the Australian commercial loggers market. The product is supported by capacity from a panel of Lloyd’s syndicates.

QuestGates has announced the acquisition of Manchester-based Brownsword Group, which was established in 1994. The firm specialises in supporting insurers with surveillance, motor fraud and theft investigations. Brownsword will continue to operate under its own brand.

Motor process fell by 5.5% in Q4 2024 and by 16% in the year to December, according to the latest General Insurance Price Index from Pearson Ham Group. Despite these drops, prices remain more than 21% higher than at the start of 2020.

General insurance solutions provider Paymentshield has added Ageas UK and Tradex to its home insurance panel. Tradex’s policies are underwritten through Markerstudy Insurance Services. The two new providers join existing panel members Axa, Allianz, and Integra.

The chief executive officer of Lloyd’s, John Neal, is to leave the insurance marketplace this year to join Aon as global CEO of reinsurance and global chairman of climate solutions. During his six years at Lloyd’s, Neal led a reset in the strategic direction of the world’s largest insurance marketplace. He also set up Lloyd’s strategic agenda to deliver digital, operational and cultural change at the Leadenhall institution.

Insurer Tokio Marine Kiln has published a report highlighting the difficulty that founders of FemHealth businesses – women’s health start-ups – have in securing the cover needed for their enterprises. The carrier said the market was expected to grow from around £22bn to £82bn in the next five years.

Managing general agent Iprism, which focuses on the construction, property and high net worth sectors, has penned a new multi-year capacity agreement with insurer Zurich for its property owners and commercial combined products. The deal extends the existing arrangement in which Zurich provides capacity for Iprism’s trades and professions, and retail package products.

Add-on insurance and claims solutions provider, Alps has added a new landlord pet damage policy to its suite of products. The move is in response to the Renters’ Rights Bill, which will give tenants increased rights to keep pets at rental properties. It is due to receive royal assent in the coming months. The product – Not for Lions – was developed by Addept Insurance with capacity from The Salvation Army General Insurance Corporation.

Intellectus Insurance Brokers Ltd and Consultus Insurance Brokers Ltd have agreed a partnership deal under which Consultus will transition to a trading name of Intellectus Insurance Brokers Ltd. Intellectus directors Pete Phillips and Phil Bass and Consultus managing director Andy Burman (pictured) previously worked together at Axa Insurance.

Aviva has pledged £4m to Citizens Advice, extending its relationship with the consumer support organisation that started in 2022 and taking the total amount of financial support provided to £11m. The funding will help create a new dedicated referral line service for the insurer’s vulnerable customers.

The Association of British Insurers has urged consumers to take precautions in the face of freezing weather that will prevent them needing to call on their personal lines insurance policies. The professional body highlighted the impact of freezing weather on travel, motor and home policies.

Aon has announced the completion of its acquisition of Griffiths and Armour. The acquisition, which officially completed on 1st January, expands Aon’s regional presence in the UK and Ireland. Jane Kielty (pictured), UK CEO of Aon, commented: "We are delighted to welcome our new Griffiths and Armour colleagues to Aon following the completion of this acquisition... "

Aviva Plc has announced that it has reached an agreement with Direct Line Group on the terms of its recommended cash and share offer for the business. The deal values Direct Line at approximately £3.7bn.

Independent re/insurance broker BMS Group has acquired UK broker David Roberts & Partners. John Page, chief executive at DR&P and Simon Bland who serves as managing director, will continue in their roles. BMS said the deal expanded its presence in the UK, particularly in the retail sector and speciality London markets.

Direct Line Group has launched three motor products on Compare the Market. It said they would add these products to other price comparison websites during 2025. The move follows an announcement in July of this year Direct Line said it would expand its distribution channels to include online aggregators.