The specialty insurance market stands at a crossroads: soft conditions, shifting client risks, and the relentless advance of AI. In this candid conference podcast, leaders from AXA, GEO, and Genesis debate where the real value lies—portfolio agility, meaningful partnerships, or competitive tech? Whether it’s monoline niche or diversified portfolios, everyone’s rethinking scale, distribution, and trust. Plus: why speed (not just size) is rapidly becoming the only advantage, and how the industry’s digital arms race is moving from talk to tangible action. Essential insights for MGAs, brokers, carriers and anyone shaping the next chapter of UK specialty insurance.
FTSE 100 edges lower ahead of the crucial US jobs report as investors fret about higher interest rates for longer. Warsh's inflation warning sparks another bout of profit-taking in technology stocks, with weakness spreading from Wall Street into Asia. Currys shows resilience as profits jump 18%, dividends double and recurring revenues provide a cushion against economic uncertainty. Consumers finally get some relief as diesel prices tumble and a stronger pound stretches holiday budgets further in Europe.
Broadstone finds a reduction to redress levels due to strong investment performance and a fall in future inflation expectationsA clear gain expected in most cases meaning that no redress is payable as the consumer is judged to be better off as a result of transferring
Aon has launched its Reinsurance Market Dynamics Midyear 2026 Renewal Report, which reveals that record levels of reinsurance capital are creating greater flexibility for insurers as they seek tailored solutions to support growth, manage volatility and optimize capital through the market cycle.
Our cover story this month is from Guy Moas from Sapiens who examines the approach of implementing AI in Life insurance. We also have an article from Sarah Vaughan from Angelica Solutions on Pricing and Reserving – two sides of the same coin. Aled Edwards from Quantum Advisory questions the risk of delaying GMP equalisation and Mark Brown from WTW looks at practical applications of quantum computing for the insurance industry. Our regular authors are also in attendance ging their views on an already busy summer.
First Actuarial, a Gallagher Company, has published its first survey of independent professional trustees (IPT) in the UK pensions industry. The survey questioned 65 trustees from 12 IPT firms with responsibility for diverse scheme types. Among the findings, the survey identifies key factors IPTs look at when selecting advisers, and areas where they are likely to need support in future.
New figures from the ABI and Group Risk Development (GRiD) reveal that insurers paid out £7.84 billion in individual and group protection claims across 2025 – equivalent to £21.5 million every day.
Pension Insurance Corporation plc has announced it has concluded a £35 million full buy-in with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”), securing the pensions of all 253 members. The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (“ABRSM”) offers face-to-face and digital exams, sheet music, recordings, apps and courses for students and teachers across the world.
Pension providers have entered the four-month countdown to the pensions dashboards connection deadline, as the MoneyHelper Pensions Dashboard (MHPD) ecosystem surpasses 70 million connected pension records.
FTSE 100 slips before recovering a little as a sell-off in metals drags heavyweight miners lower. Gold falls to its lowest level in almost eight months as higher-for-longer US rate expectations strengthen the dollar. JD Sports drops after Nike signals its recovery will take time, while ABF falls as losses at its sugar business deepen. Housebuilders remain under pressure despite tentative signs of improvement in the housing market. Wall Street looks set to catch its breath ahead of Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's appearance at the ECB Forum in Sintra and Thursday's US jobs report.
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has published its Annual Report and Accounts 2025/2026 highlighting progress in its mission to protect members’ money, enhance the pensions system and support growth and innovation in the interests of members.
Discover how leading P&C insurers are transforming claims from a cost centre into a strategic performance lever through advanced analytics and AI. Claims as a strategic lever. For years, insurers have invested heavily in pricing and underwriting analytics. That made sense — those functions are closest to growth and risk selection. But as those capabilities mature, a new question is coming into sharper focus: where does the next wave of performance improvement come from? Increasingly, the answer is claims.
New report warns current pension savings could be entirely absorbed by rental costs in later life.Unlocking pension pathways to property ownership could increase pensions engagement and deliver 100% higher income at retirement
Daniel Nilsson, Senior Portfolio Manager at Isio, reflects on 250 years of American independence, market concentration and the investment case for US small caps: “At Isio, we believe the investment case for the United States remains fundamentally strong, underpinned by structural innovation, world-leading corporate profitability and exceptionally deep capital markets.
Half (50%) of permanent UK workers would pay more into their workplace pension if their employer paid a larger share, according to Scottish Widows’ latest Retirement Report.
Redirecting just £45 a month - equivalent to everyday spending on things like meals out or takeaways - could make a significant long-term difference. Small mid-year financial tweaks can help build momentum ahead of year-end. Standard Life shares a simple six-point mid-year money MOT checklist
.GDP figures show UK economy is slowly growing, but it’s a lacklustre performance – raising challenges for Andy Burnham ahead. Sainsbury’s results mirror UK economic performance, but stores are getting a boost from the heatwave and the World Cup. Big tech rallies after Amazon is admitted to the Dow Jones. Some caution set to return as monthly jobs report looms.
In the ever-evolving landscape of defined contribution (DC) pension systems, it is crucial to examine and learn from the approaches taken by different countries. In this article, we delve into the Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index 2023, which provides a comprehensive comparison of pension systems worldwide. On an annual basis, Mercer, in conjunction with the CFA Institute, produce the Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index 2023 (1) which provides a useful comparison of pension systems around the world based on a broad range of important criteria.
Terminal illness life expectancy period extended from 6 months to 12 months. Eligible PPF and FAS members can access a terminal ill health payment sooner
32% of people have no idea how upcoming changes to pensions and inheritance tax will affect them. Nearly 40% of cohabitees are still unaware of the impact versus 30% of married people. Only 3% of additional rate taxpayers are unaware. This compares to 23% of higher rate taxpayers and 35% of those paying basic rate tax. Just 9% of people believe the change will push the value of their estate into inheritance tax paying territory.6% of people say they are already likely to be impacted by inheritance tax, but the change has made it worse.
43% sought alternative care via at least one private healthcare service in the last six months. Half (49%) expect NHS waiting times to rise across the rest of the year. Nearly one in five (19%) funded this treatment through a credit card or personal loan
FTSE 100 is on the back foot in early trade following fresh attacks in the Middle East. Brent crude rises to $72 a barrel, as Strait of Hormuz remains tricky to navigate. Central bankers’ forum in Sintra, Portugal, in focus as investors look for clues about interest rates. Wall Street set for a rebound with investors turning opportunistic after recent falls.
Many corporates are reassessing the future of their defined benefit (DB) pension schemes in a rapidly changing market, where the range of options can feel difficult to compare. To help bring clarity, we explore how the DB strategy conversation is evolving, and what this means in practice when it comes to making decisions.
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is launching a multi-year campaign to ensure schemes are ready for the changes from the Pension Schemes Act. The requirements raise expectations on defined contribution (DC) schemes to deliver better outcomes. In this article, Kim Goodall-Brown, Director of DC and Master Trust Supervision, shares TPR’s plans to support schemes to prepare for the changes ahead. The Pension Schemes Act 2026 is now law. A new chapter for DC schemes has begun and trustees cannot afford to stand still.
See-saw moves keep coming as investors stay jittery. FTSE 100 set to trade lower amid rise in geopolitical tensions and a fresh tech sell-off. A vessel was struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, adding to fears about the fragility of the peace deal. Asian markets fall sharply, as investors digest price hikes from Apple and Microsoft. Gold suffers in a sell-off, as interest-rate hike expectations firm up, trading around $4,000 an ounce. Bitcoin remains stuck in a frozen crypto winter, falling further to $59,685. The cryptocurrency is down 44% year on year.