Digital risk processing platform Cytora has formed a partnership with Ideal Postcodes, which offers address validation and postcode lookup services. Cytora will incorporate Ideal Postcodes’ datasets into its platform, enabling commercial insurers to capture, verify, and clean address data at the point of underwriting.

The winners of the 2026 National Insurance Awards were announced last night at a gala dinner and awards ceremony at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square. Hosted by the one and only Ivo Graham, the awards highlight the very best in general insurance provision and management.

Personal lines broker Ceta has added a new notional product for standard homes to its panel. It is called ClearSure. The product complements its existing non-standard household notional product, Adept. ClearSure offers buildings cover up to a maximum of £1m and contents cover up to a maximum of £100,000.

Axa UK and Ireland has created a new general insurance business – Axa Insurance UK – which combines its UK commercial and retail units into a single entity under a single leadership structure. Jon Walker becomes CEO of Axa Insurance UK. Previously, he was CEO of Axa Commercial and had been acting as CEO of Axa Retail since the end of last year.

Managing general agent Amiga Specialty has agreed a capacity deal with Axa XL to support its financial institutions proposition and help it grow its international portfolio across directors’ and officers’ liability, professional liability, and crime.

EY has forecast the UK home insurance market will return a net combined ratio of 103% this year, following the 98% it achieved in 2025. It said competitive pressures would push premiums down by 3%, making an average policy £10 cheaper at £320. This compares to £330 in 2025 and £329 in 2024.

Manchester-based Principal Insurance has acquired Bristol-based Europa Group, which includes the MotorCycle Direct brand and Europa Underwriting, which trades under the Ridersure wholesale brand. Principal said it had financed the deal through shareholder funds.

Specialty insurer HDI Global UK and Ireland has launched a motor fleet portal which it says will provide a one-stop-shop for fleet operators and brokers. The portal provides fleet operators with data on drivers at both a depot and individual level enabling them to spot high-risk behaviours and target further training. The insurer said brokers can also access real-time data on fleet performance enabling them to support clients better.

Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc has reported a profit before tax of £84.6m for the year ended 31st December 2025. This was up by 2.5% on the previous year. Gross written premium increased by 2.1% to £653.7m. The carrier said its Solvency II coverage ratio was 252%.

The Financial Conduct Authority has warned of a fraudulent firm operating as a clone of JL Insurance Solutions Ltd, which is an appointed representative of the Gauntlet network. The genuine business does not have a website, but fraudsters have created an online presence that claims to be the real firm’s site. The FCA warned that the website for Limitless Cover was also fake, despite it claiming to be a trading name of JL Insurance Solutions Ltd.

Premium Credit says it has enhanced its application process for regulated firms seeking to secure a financing option for their Financial Conduct Authority fees. Premium Credit said firms whose fees were more than £50,000 would receive two invoices and that half of the total was normally due in April. It offers a monthly payment option, typically spread over 10 months.

Lloyd’s achieved a combined ratio of 87.6% in 2025, a deterioration of 0.7 percentage points on the previous year. The market said its gross written premium was up by 4.2% on the previous year at £57.9bn and that profits before tax were up by 10.1% at £10.6bn.

Granite Underwriting has launched a new product for taxi fleets with more than 25 vehicles. The product covers both private and public hire vehicles and caters for non-standard and complex risks, including drivers with multiple motoring convictions and high-risk postcodes.

Intermediary platform ANV Group Holdings has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Iris Insurance Brokers Ltd, which comprises distribution division Blink Intermediary Solutions and managing general agent incubator Vivid Underwriters. London-based Iris was established in 2000 and is a Lloyd’s registered broker that specialises in providing binders, facilities and reinsurance solutions to brokers, insurers, managing general agents and Lloyd’s coverholders.

Sodalis Capital has acquired managing general agent Amiga Specialty Holdings Ltd, which will become its MGA platform for specialty lines. Colin Thompson launched Sodalis last year with backing from Alliant and BP Marsh. BP Marsh has also backed Amiga, but will withdraw as a shareholder following the deal, although it remains involved through its continued support for Sodalis.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has confirmed that the Financial Conduct Authority will join it later this year when it takes to the road to meet members and discuss regulatory matters with firms. This will be the third year that the regulator has joined BIBA’s regional tour, which is scheduled to visit 11 locations.