Client Coverage
Banyan Risk Ltd, a Bermuda-based specialty Managing General Agent (MGA), has announced the launch of a new Digital Assets & Emerging Risks product.
The line will be underwritten through Banyan’s platform in Bermuda, with capacity provided through QBE Lloyd’s Syndicate 1886 and other Lloyd’s participation.
It will provide specialist insurance solutions for digital asset treasury companies, foundations, exchanges, custodians, fintech platforms, and other organizations operating in similar rapidly evolving sectors.
The initial offering will focus upon multi-line products encompassing Directors and Officers Liability, Professional Liability, and Crime, with both primary and excess solutions available on a stand-alone or blended basis.
Xceedance’s Gavin Lillywhite spoke with Insurance Times about the company’s shifting operating model.
Speaking during the MGAA Annual Conference in London, Lillywhite descibed how the company plans to evolve through the implementation of AI agents aimed at improving operation flows and efficiency.
Lillywhite explains: “Transitioning our operating model means that we can help clients grow without a linear or exponential cost increase, in terms of servicing.”
Nick Hankin, Managing Director at QBE Re, said the firm is increasingly focused on building long-term, meaningful relationships with a smaller number of key partners, rather than expanding broadly across the market, which can mean being selective about where it deploys capacity.
In an interview with Reinsurance News, Hankin discussed where he sees the most attractive opportunities for QBE Re to grow, explaining that the firm’s strategy is focused on building relationships that develop over time.
“We have made good progress in becoming relevant to a core group of global and key clients, and over time that creates opportunities to grow alongside them across products and geographies,” he said.
‘We’ve still got growth ambitions, but when you’re setting out in the early days, you’re really doing one thing – now we’ve got the exciting challenge of trying to pat our head and rub our tummy at the same time,’ says director
While there are plenty of opportunities for insurer partnerships with new and burgeoning MGAs, a careful approach to new business combined with a real focus on developing existing relationships is the key to sustainable portfolio growth.
This is according to Alex Hardy, director of delegated and distribution at SiriusPoint, who sat down with Insurance Times at the 2026 Managing General Agents’ Association’s (MGAA) annual conference to discuss the role MGAs play in his firm’s portfolio development.
Eric Joost, President at Artificial, said the firm sees opportunities in the US re/insurance market, particularly across the wholesale market, MGAs, and more structured distribution models, as firms seek to manage increasing volumes of submissions and greater operational complexity.
Established in 2013 and based in London, Artificial builds technology and software tools for commercial insurers and brokers, and provides clients with a cloud-based algorithmic underwriting platform and applications, which are able to be built on top of existing legacy systems.
Joost joined the company earlier this year to lead its US expansion, and in an interview with Reinsurance News, the recently appointed President noted that Artificial’s expansion into the US market is a natural extension of its existing business.
Ariel Re has appointed Tim Shreeve as Chief Commercial Officer. Shreeve, who is based in Bermuda, will focus on identifying and advancing growth opportunities across the business.
Shreeve joined Ariel Re in 2021 as head of platform development. His promotion to CCO follows five years of involvement in the firm’s strategic development.
CEO Ryan Mather said of the appointment: “Tim has made a significant contribution to Ariel Re’s success since joining the business. His promotion reflects his leadership, commercial insight and the value he brings to the organisation.”
ANV Group has agreed to acquire US-based Open Lending in a $372 million all-cash transaction, as it continues to expand its Specialty underwriting platform.
The deal will see ANV add Open Lending’s insurance-backed credit and risk analytics capabilities, strengthening its US footprint and supporting growth in lending solutions for near-prime borrowers.
Commenting on the acquisition, Open Lending CEO Jessica Buss said: “This transaction delivers compelling and immediate value for our stockholders while providing Open Lending with the capital, stability, and strategic support to drive sustainable growth.”
In Captive International, Xceedance’s Darren King highlights how captive owners must rethink risk management, shifting beyond insurance purchasing to focus on protecting assets, resilience and long‑term business value.
He explains that fragmented data, reliance on spreadsheets and limited fit‑for‑purpose systems are constraining decision‑making, while better integration of exposure, claims and operational data could unlock clearer insight and stronger risk outcomes.
“Captive owners must balance protection, cost, operational realities and long‑term business objectives,” King said, noting that success ultimately depends on turning data into actionable insight.