M&A

Betaville reported that Ageas is working with bankers at NM Rothschild on a “defence” mandate ahead of potential takeover interest.

Talks are focused on sourcing new investment to come in alongside that from current backers Preservation Capital Partners and British Columbia Investment.

The business is predicted to write $1.4bn this year.

The broker specialises in a broad range of marine coverage in the Pacific region.

News that the private equity house was preparing to bring the broker to market was revealed by Insurance Insider in June.

The carrier is reportedly looking to sell its operations in Spain, Portugal and Ireland.

The Envest transaction includes the acquisition of Aviso Group, a network of broking offices across five states and 10 MGAs.

Prior to approval, the commercial carrier owned 47.3% of the Chinese insurance group.

The transaction would have involved a partnership with Mosaic and a managing agent sale.

Following the deal, Insight Re founder and CEO Guillermo Eslava will become Ocean Re CEO in Q2 2023, succeeding Carlos Chamorro.

Even without the uncertainty of an imminent takeover, the path ahead will not be easy for Ascot.

Plus the latest executive moves and all the top stories of the week.

Intact financed the acquisition of the US builders risk portfolio through a $188mn term loan that was repaid before quarter-end, according to its Q3 statements.

The transaction marks another step in the broker’s acquisition spree this year, including the $1.85bn GRP deal – closed on July 1 – and the $487mn takeover of MGA Orchid.

The two sides have been in bilateral discussions since June, with a view to CPPIB achieving liquidity on its investment.

The company, valued at $23bn in May, intends to use the facility to fund future acquisitions and related fees and expenses.

The Canadian holding company increased its ownership in the Bermudian carrier to 82.9% from 70.9%.

New owner AUB expects the acquisition to deliver A$25mn in synergies.

Spectrum Risk Management will rebrand as Nexus as part of the transaction.

The process has been narrowed, with parties including Catalina and Premia not going forward.

The Chinese conglomerate was downgraded by Moody’s this week and faces liquidity pressure.

The investors have also purchased MGA service company Precision Partnership, and the firms’ leaderships will be combined.

The legacy specialist has made its second foray into medical professional liability.

Often regarded as the destination for tech start-ups, IPOs no longer have the same attraction for UK InsurTechs, due to market volatility and the performance of their listed US counterparts.