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.

MoneySuperMarket has done a deal with Blue Light Card, which is a rewards service for the frontline community, to make it easier for its 4 million members to find the cover they need and to secure deals on car and home insurance. Blue Light Card members who purchase a car insurance policy will receive a £45 gift card to redeem with a variety of high street retailers. They will receive a £30 voucher for each home insurance policy purchased.

Seventeen Group has acquired Smith England Insurance Brokers and Citrus Healthcare, which it will integrate into James Hallam, its UK retail division. Cheadle-based Smith England targets corporate clients that put a focus on risk management. Citrus Healthcare is a private medical brokerage based in Kent.

Alan Tate-Smith has launched AMB Rural and Commercial Ltd. The independent broker is based in Honiton, Devon and seeks to support clients across the South West and beyond. It will focus on offering farm and estate insurance, agricultural contracting cover, commercial combined policies, property owners’ insurance and specialist cover for diversified rural enterprises.

The International Underwriting Association has launched an online hub to support its IUA Futures programme and ensure recent entrants into the market have convenient access to all the networking, training and development events scheduled by the association.

The government has published plans to improve the Financial Ombudsman Service’s ability to operate as a swift and impartial complaints body and to align its operations more closely with the Financial Conduct Authority.

SiriusPoint has restructured into business into four units – Global P&C Programmes, Global Reinsurance, Global Accident & Health and a London Market Specialty division, which includes Lloyd’s. The Global P&C Programmes division is the new combined unit for its North America and International Programmes businesses.

Cargo and supply chain risk insurance provider Parsyl has launched a chat-based risk submission facility for brokers called Chauncey for Brokers. The proposition is built on the technology that Parsyl has been using to power its own underwriting operations and which it said had cut submission times by 70%.

FTI Consulting has published a report that questions whether the UK and Ireland will retain its position as the leading geographical market for insurance M&A activity in the face of competition from other European centres. In 2025, the UK and Ireland recorded 219 deals according to FTI Consulting’s report, 2025 European Insurance M&A Barometer: Navigating the Changing Shape of European M&A. This was down by 23% on the number of deals recorded in the previous year.

ARAG has teamed up with The Purpose Coalition to launch a campaign called Insuring Justice. The aim is to educate people and small businesses about the role insurance can play in providing access to legal support and advice on everything from housing and employment issues to consumer rights and family matters.

Allianz UK identified fraudulent claims totalling almost £174m in 2025, up by more than 10% on the £157m it sniffed out the previous year. During 2025, the carrier recorded an 84% increase in staged accidents, in which two vehicles crash into each other on purpose. It also noted a 61% rise in contrived accidents, where a fraudster crashes into an innocent party and then fabricates damage or injury.

Broker TL Dallas has opened a new office in Harrogate, from which Caroline Pullich, group head of private clients at TL Dallas, will lead the firm’s high-net-worth offering. James Bright, corporate account executive at TL Dallas will focus on supporting commercial clients in the surrounding local market.

Insurance centred investment firm Sodalis Capital has launched London-based wholesale broker Brecon Specialty Ltd. The 14-strong team will be led by former Howden Broking managing director David Rees and will focus on cyber and technology E&O business.