Axa UK has selected the first 20 participants in its new commercial broker development programme, which aims to enhance their senior leadership capabilities. The programme launches with a three-day residential seminar in Paris. It will focus on succession planning and include scenario simulations to test and build participants’ skills.

Broking and underwriting technology provider Artificial Labs has completed a Series B funding round worth approximately £33m. European fintech investor CommerzVentures led the round with support from Move Capital Fund I and existing investors. Artificial Labs said the investment would enable it to reinforce its position in the London Market and develop its international reach.

Aviva Private Clients, which is the insurer’s high net worth business, has launched its proposition in the Lloyd’s market, offering its cover exclusively through Lloyd’s brokers. The cover can be written in multiple currencies, offering clients protection for their property and assets.

Toyota Insurance Services UK has collaborated with app-based digital insurance provider Cuvva to offer short-term motor cover ranging from one hour to 28 days. Available via the Cuvva app, the cover is comprehensive, UK-wide and available for the EU if required.

Managing general agent Rising Edge Ltd has sold its management liability business, led by Yoel Brightman, to K2 International. The deal completed on 1st February and Rising Edge said the disposal of its D&O operation would enable it to focus on developing new lines of business.

The Association of British Insurers has launched a new guide to help SMEs understand their insurance needs and to identify and remedy gaps in their cover. The guide explains the covers that businesses are legally required to have in place and offers simple steps for business owners to follow when buying insurance.

Zurich UK has launched an AI apprenticeship programme and has enrolled 92 staff on the 17-month programme. The insurer said the training would give them practical skills as well as the necessary ethical framework to support their ability to apply AI technologies in a responsible way.

Managing general agent Kovrilo, which is incubated by Mission, has launched with a focus on providing commercial cover for UK SME’s. The cover is available on a modular basis and includes property, liability, cyber, legal, and terrorism options. Kovrilo said it had a five-year capacity deal in place.

Money app Plum has expanded its Plum Max subscription plan to offer worldwide travel cover backed by Aspire and Lloyd’s. Embedded insurance specialist Qover’s AI technology will handle the claims, insurance services and risk carrier management required to facilitate the enhanced programme.

Managing general agent Elevate Specialty has announced a primary carrier capacity partnership with Hadron UK Insurance. Elevate provides a range of covers including landlord, commercial and personal legal insurance as well as cyber insurance and home emergency.

Howden has acquired retail broker PIBL, which is based in the Channel Islands. Howden said the deal would strengthen its ability to service clients in Jersey and Guernsey. PIBL specialises in offering services to high net worth individuals, family offices and trust companies.

Clear Group has acquired Gauntlet Retail Brokers and Gauntlet Appointed Representative Network, which it will integrate into its Brokerbility network proposition. Roger Gaunt founded Leeds-based Gauntlet Retail Brokers in 1994 with a focus on commercial business. In 2009, the firm launched its appointed representative network.

In 2026, the Managing General Agents’ Association will focus on developing member value, improving its technical training proposition and deepening market engagement. The MGAA detailed its priorities at its annual general meeting and said it would also push to increase the profile of the delegated underwriting sector.

Arch Insurance International has launched an event cancellation cyber product offering cover for cancellation, abandonment, curtailment, interruption, postponement or relocation of an event resulting from an unauthorised, malicious or criminal cyber act, or computer system failure.

Addept Insurance Services has launched a legal protection product for landlords that provides cover for the legal costs resulting from the illegal transfer of a property title or a property being let or sub-let without a landlord’s express permission.

Managing general agent Hive Underwriters will develop a specialty marine insurance proposition under Nick Lewis when he joins the business as marine chief underwriting officer in July. He was previously head of marine, international at Everest Insurance and is currently seeing out his contractual obligations with the firm.