Ryan Specialty is in final discussions to buy London-based MGU incubator platform Innovisk Capital Partners from investors that include funds managed by private equity firms BHMS Investments and Abry Partners in the latest example of strong demand from strategic buyers for assets in the sector.

Starwind Specialty Insurance Services has brought in Kirk Conrad as CUO, with the recruit making the move after this publication revealed in August he had left BMS amid links to the TIH Underwriting division.

Ryan Specialty has completed its previously announced acquisitions of US Assure and Greenhill Underwriting Insurance Services, deals which will significantly bolster the firm's MGU operations.

There were no signs of a slowdown in the fronting market in 2023 as the sector’s premium volume hit north of $15bn, with the 27 percent growth rate supported by underlying MGA trends, demand for capacity, and continued expansion of the E&S segment, according to Conning.

Novatae Risk Group, the wholesale operations of World Insurance Associates, has acquired the assets of Denali Speacialty Group, a St. Louis, Missouri-based full-service intermediary founded in 2019.

Long-serving Target Markets Program Administrators Association (TMPAA) veteran Ray Scotto is transitioning to a new senior executive position.

Aon has closed its $13.0bn takeover deal for middle-market specialist NFP, sealing one of the biggest insurance broking M&A deals in history.

SiriusPoint has partnered with specialty program manager NIP Group to launch a new E&S program underwriting platform.

Expansive AI and data analytics-focused program administrator Integrated Specialty Coverages has added Brad Nebel from its reinsurance broker BMS Re as chief of staff, with a focus on building out the platform’s wholesale division and managing its growing list of exclusive programs, Program Manager can reveal.

Tiptree Inc-owned The Fortegra Group has appointed Eric Halter as senior vice president of business development and Bianca Hoshina as chief reinsurance buyer, marking two new additions to the global specialty insurer’s leadership team.

Integrated Specialty Coverages (ISC) is lining up capacity for a new US allied health program led by Chantelle Burton, while the AI and data analytics-driven MGA is poised to finish the year at around $600mn of premium, representing a doubling in size since KKR’s 2021 buy-in, Program Manager can reveal.

Bob Petrilli is stepping down as president of Amwins’ underwriting division at the end of the year as part of a planned succession process, with the unit’s current COO Ryan Armijo taking over the role, Program Manager can reveal.

Long-anticipated M&A activity in the fronting space has finally taken off with R&Q’s agreement to sell Accredited to Onex Partners and the news revealed by Program Manager that 777 Partners is in advanced talks to divest Sutton National to Charlesbank Capital Partners.

The rebranding of NFP’s MGA platform as Totalis Program Underwriters is all about spotlighting the $750mn-premium programs business and raising awareness of the value it brings to the retail broker’s overall offering.

One80 Intermediaries has acquired GMI Insurance, the Pennsylvania-based MGA built by the Trudel family from its origins as a monoline commercial auto program to a multi-line firm writing in excess of $110mn of annual premium, The Insurer can reveal.