Specialty MGA Nirvana Acquires Arena From Ryan Specialty
Specialty managing general agent (MGA) Nirvana announced the acquisition of Arena NV from Ryan Specialty.
Financial terms of the deal, which was announced today, were not disclosed.
Arena is a leader in the Belgian sports insurance market, providing cover to federations and clubs across both the Flemish and French-speaking regions. More than 100 federations and 2,300 sports clubs partner with Arena, covering over 1.3 million non-professional athletes.
The transaction marks another milestone in Nirvana’s expansion, following its recent merger with UK-based Pulse Insurance, the company said.
Arena deepens Nirvana’s existing sports & leisure product set, and complements Nirvana’s broader suite of specialty lines, which includes media/tech E&O, cyber, accident & health, and non-standard life products.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Arena and adding this fantastic company to our portfolio,” said Kabir Chanrai, chief executive officer of Nirvana. “The Arena team have built an enviable business over the past 30 years, with highly specialized underwriting and claims expertise, and a client-centred approach.”
“We are excited about the addition of Arena to our group,” said Torquil McLusky, managing director of Pulse. “We plan to be long term owners and partners, and provide Arena the support and capital it needs to continue its first class client service, as well as provide new products to its client base. Arena and Pulse are strategically very good fits.”
Rob Jones, Executive Chair of Nirvana, said: “The Arena acquisition provides us with a wholly owned continental European trading platform and brings a talented team of insurance professionals into the group.”
Neither business plans any changes to their teams as a result of the transaction, and brokers and clients will therefore continue to interact with their usual underwriter contacts without disruption to service.
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Ryan Specialty Completes Purchase of MGU Stewart Specialty Risk Underwriting
Ryan Specialty, the Chicago-based international specialty insurance firm, announced on December 3 it has completed the acquisition of Stewart Specialty Risk Underwriting Ltd. (SSRU).
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
SSRU is a managing general underwriter (MGU) based in Toronto, Canada specializing in underwriting large-account, high-hazard property and casualty solutions. SSRU is a part of the Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers (RSUM) division of Ryan Specialty.
The acquisition was previously announced on October 25, 2025.
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Bridgehaven Completes Acquisition of SureStone
Bridgehaven Europe Holdings Ltd., the UK’s leading risk-taking hybrid insurer in commercial and specialty lines, announced on December 3 it has completed the acquisition of SureStone Insurance DAC, following receipt of all required regulatory approvals on December 2.
Financial details were not disclosed. The deal was first announced in July.
The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Bridgehaven’s European expansion, which the hybrid insurer expects will play an integral part in supporting its growing network of MGA partners across the EU.
Dublin-based SureStone will write commercial and specialty lines by leveraging its existing P&C licenses and developing additional specialty risk classes. The existing SureStone management team will be bolstered with added resource and expertise, ensuring a smooth transition to become Bridgehaven’s European arm, delivering the firm’s business model to local markets in Ireland and across Continental Europe.
Bridgehaven’s expansion into Europe reinforces its strategy of creating a more cohesive and connected insurance ecosystem, bridging the gap between MGAs and reinsurers to build mutually beneficial long-term partnerships.
“Completing this acquisition is an important step in building a truly pan-European platform for our MGA partners,” commented Paul Jewell, CEO of Bridgehaven.
“SureStone’s transformation allows us to deliver Bridgehaven’s unique hybrid model across much of the EU, linking MGAs to quality reinsurance capacity, whilst ensuring underwriting discipline and long-term value creation,” Jewell added.
“The acquisition will fire a new phase of growth. This is about creating opportunity, confidence and capability for MGAs that need an EU solution that is both entrepreneurial and robust.”
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Gallagher Re to Buy S. African Broker Resilea
Gallagher Re, the global reinsurance broker and advisory business, has agreed to acquire Resilea (Pty) Ltd., a re/insurance broking firm based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Terms of the deal, which was announced on Dec. 1, were not disclosed.
As the largest independent reinsurance broker in South Africa, the Resilea team will bring an increased level of scale and strength to Gallagher Re and its clients.
Iain Macindoe, who previously served as CEO of Resilea, will move into the role of chairman, South Africa. Mathew Macindoe, who previously served as managing director at Resilea, will assume the role of regional director and CEO of the South African business.
Hamish Dowlen, CEO for EMEA, commented: “This acquisition represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen our market position, diversify our client offering, and broaden our capabilities across
Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Excess Surplus Insurance Wholesale Canada A.J. Gallagher
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