Managing general agent Phoenix Specialty has secured A+ (Standard and Poor’s) rated capacity for its UK contractors’ all risks and contractors’ plant and equipment propositions. The capacity adds to its existing capacity deal with Axa Insurance UK and will enable Phoenix to widen its underwriting appetite.

Defaqto has acquired Pearson Ham’s market pricing business, which it said will strengthen its data and technology capabilities in the UK insurance and retail financial services industries. The £11m deal was completed through Defaqto’s parent company, Fintel plc.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association and the Association of British Insurers have teamed up to launch an industry-wide total signposting commitment, which the government identified as a market intervention it would like to see in its financial inclusion strategy.

In a letter to insurance market chief executives, the Prudential Regulation Authority has said it is going to move all firms to a two-year cycle for periodic summary meetings. The regulator said it had already extended the timeframe from annual to biannual meetings for some firms, which had proved successful. This will now be rolled out across the market.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association believes too many businesses are inadequately protected against the growing cyber risk they face. To combat this, it has confirmed it is working with the Department for Science Innovation and Technology to create an accredited directory of expert cyber insurance brokers.

Pro Global has secured office space in Liverpool’s Royal Liver Building, which will support the expansion of its operations in the city. Pro Global supports insurers with operational, audit, claims and digital transformation services. It also has a managing general agent incubation division and last year launched Pro Legal Solutions to manage insurance litigation cases.

Managing general agent OneBefore, which focuses on accident, absence, health and travel insurance, has agreed a distribution partnership with digital healthcare solutions platform CoverCubed Limited. The deal expands OneBefore’s reach into the SME market and marks CoverCubed’s entry into the UK – it has an established presence in South Africa.

Liberty Mutual Reinsurance has signed a memorandum of intent with the European Space Agency’s Business Applications and Space Solutions operation, which was formed in 2010 and has since supported 750 projects to help companies deliver space-based services and products.

Mobile network provider EE has teamed up with insurer Chubb to launch a gadget insurance product that offers cover for multiple devices. The policy offers damage cover that includes accidental damage, extended warranty, worldwide protection, and manufacturer-approved repair or replacement. Policyholders can also choose to include cover for loss and theft.

Automation platform business Unitary has joined the British Insurance Brokers’ Association as an associate member. Unitary said it had enjoyed success with managing general agent clients and wanted to grow the number of brokers it supported.

Underwriting platform and services provider Asta, which is a Davies company, has launched financial lines managing general agent Verde Risk Management. It will offer cover to UK and international clients for risks including commercial crime and management liability. Verde will operate as an appointed representative of Asta Underwriting Management Ltd.

Private equity form Inflexion has acquired Ascend Broking Group, which is based in Essex and has around 30 employees. Inflexion said the deal also marked the launch of a new insurance broker platform that would support independent brokers in managing everything from regulatory compliance and IT systems to corporate infrastructure and back-office finance.

The Lloyd’s Market Association has outlined its priorities for 2026 and said it would focus on underwriting, technical expertise, simplification of the market through digitalisation and regulatory issues. The LMA said a lot of work would also go into lobbying for its members in relation to the new Lloyd’s strategy, which is due to be announced in the coming months.

Managing general agent Amiga Specialty has secured Lloyd’s capacity to support and expand its financial institutions proposition. Amiga said the capacity would give it greater flexibility to support clients with international operations and cross-border exposures. The proposition is aimed at asset managers, investment firms, funds, banks, and fintech companies.

Nexus Underwriting has acquired Sure Insurance Services, which specialises in providing medical tourism travel cover. Alison Thornbury founded Sure Insurance Services in 2003. The business will become part of Millstream Underwriting, which Nexus has owned since 2015.

Motor insurance specialist AND-E, which is part of the Japanese insurance business MS&AD Group, has announced plans to increase the headcount at its claims centre in Newcastle by 30%. The centre handles claims for brands including Toyota, Lexus, and Kwik Fit.