managing general agents (MGAs) News

Real Estate MGA Ventis Launches in UK

Ventis, the commercial and residential real estate managing general agent that provides tailored solutions for a range of property profiles, has opened for business. Founded by Gareth Roberts, previously head of Covéa’s Mid-Market Specialist and Network division, Ventis offers an …

Ryan Specialty Signs Agreement to Buy Castel Underwriting Agencies From Arch

Ryan Specialty, the Chicago-based specialty insurance firm, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Castel Underwriting Agencies Ltd. from Arch Financial Holdings (UK) Ltd. and minority shareholders. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 2014, Castel …

Markets/Coverages: MGA Optio and Insurer Partner AmFirst to Offer Political Violence & Terrorism Cover

Optio Group, the London-based specialty managing general agent (MGA), announced it has entered into an agreement with a new insurer partner to provide underwriting capacity for political violence and terrorism (PVT) risks. The partner company – AmFirst Insurance Co. (AmFirst) …

Markets/Coverages: MGA Rokstone Launches Contingency Portfolio

Rokstone, the international speciality re/insurance MGA that is part of the Aventum Group, announced the launch of a new contingency portfolio with backing from “A”-rated carriers. Rokstone is launching the contingency account initially in the UK and Europe with plans …

Product Recall Specialist MGA BluNiche Launches UK Unit for SME Businesses

BluNiche, a London-based managing general agent (MGA) that specializes in product recall insurance, announced the launch of BluNiche UK to target small and medium sized businesses across the UK. BluNiche UK is led by Ed Mitchell, head of UK, who …

Aviva to Acquire Canadian Vehicle Replacement MGA Optiom for Circa £100m

Aviva plc announced the acquisition of Optiom O2 Holdings Inc. from Novacap and other minority shareholders for a consideration of approximately £100 million (US$126 million). Calgary, Canada-based Optiom, which operates as a managing general agent (MGA), is a provider of …

Applied Underwriters Unveils Specialist MGA Unit, Led by Ex-SiriusPoint CEO Malloy

Applied Underwriters has launched a new holding company called “United Risk,” which brings together the company’s MGA and MGU businesses under a single brand. Former SiriusPoint executive Dan Malloy has been named CEO of the new unit. “Under Dan Malloy’s …

Markets/Coverages: Coalition Offers Active Cyber Insurance in Australia

Coalition, the San Francisco-based cyber managing general agent and cyber-security firm, launched its suite of Active Cyber Insurance products in Australia. Active Cyber Insurance works with organizations to help them understand their cyber risk profiles, improve their defenses, and, ultimately, …

Re/insurer SiriusPoint and MGA Banyan Risk Extend Capacity Relationship

SiriusPoint Ltd., the specialty insurer and reinsurer, and managing general agent Banyan Risk Ltd. announced an extension of their capacity partnership. The deal extends for three years the Bermuda-based companies’ existing commercial relationship. At the same time, it concludes the …

Markel Takes Minority Stake in UK-Based Tax MGA

Markel, the insurance operation within Markel Group Inc., announced a 49% strategic investment in Certa Insurance Partners, the London-based specialist tax MGA. This move will accelerate the UK-based tax specialist’s product development and geographical expansion plans, while giving Markel further …