Insurance Insider - Behind the Headlines

What is the focus of the reinsurance market heading into the annual Rendez-Vous de Septembre in Monte Carlo? According to Marsh Re’s Vicky Carter, the abundant capital in the market is an opportunity for clients to explore innovative capital structures. Speaking on Behind the Headlines, Carter explained how new reinsurance vehicles in Lloyd’s are a win-win for investors and insurers, and is putting pressure on the conventional reinsurance market. Carter also reflected on her work supporting r...

Following a string of major M&A transactions over the past year, are we past the peak of the M&A cycle? According to Howden Capital Markets & Advisory’s Leo Beckham and Bill Cooper, we should expect to see deals keep on coming. The investment bankers told Behind the Headlines that they are still operating in a “double-sided coin” M&A market – with ongoing buyer and seller interest. The discussion also delves into the innovative new capital structures in the Lloyd’s market, whi...

QBE Re has doubled in size since 2020, and plans to double its scale again by 2030 to underwrite $6bnn of business. But how can this continued expansion be achieved in a market undergoing significant softening? According to QBE Re managing director Nick Hankin, the business is not relying on one or two big bets, but is targeting broad-based expansion across product and geography. He told Insurance Insider that QBE Re benefits from harnessing the data and broker partnerships of the wider QBE g...

Government-backed terrorism reinsurer Pool Re was established in 1993 to respond to commercial market failure caused by the IRA’s bombing campaign. Since then, the terror threat landscape has changed hugely, and Pool Re has evolved with it. Approaching its next strategic review with the Treasury, what are the top priorities for the organisation? CEO Tom Clementi tells Behind the Headlines that Pool Re will continue to push for more business to return to the private market, reducing e...

Following a period of dwindling market share for London in reinsurance, reinsurer start-up activity has returned to the Square Mile. One such business is Cathal Carr-led Oak Global, which launched in 2024 and now boasts two syndicates. But why choose to launch in Lloyd’s? Carr told Behind the Headlines how Lloyd’s provided a unique access to capital which was transformational in its launch phase. Discussing market conditions, he said that the soft reinsurance market was operating with “recenc...