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.

Strong growth opportunities in other areas of a hardening reinsurance market mean that reinsurers can be more selective about the programs and fronting carriers they support, but the appeal of access to diversifying business in the MGA sector remains, according to Conning’s Steve Webersen.

Despite headwinds in some other areas of the P&C insurance sector, the outlook for MGAs remains strong, amid growing demand for niche and specialty products and a continued influx of underwriting talent drawn from traditional carriers.

Clear Blue has been the subject of at least one recent unsolicited approach from a potential buyer while Sutton National backer 777 Partners is among a number of fronting carrier owners evaluating options that could include a sale, amid broader expectations of heightened M&A activity in the crowded sector, Program Manager can reveal.

Executives speaking on a panel at the Target Markets mid-year event in Boston last week highlighted the growing sophistication of actuarial work being done between program administrators (PAs) and capacity providers, as more capital is dedicated to the segment.

AM Best assigned a positive outlook to the MGA sector – or the delegated underwriting authority enterprise (DUAE) sector as the firm characterizes it.

New Paradigm Underwriters and its director of specialty insurance programs Mark Groenheide are in the market securing reinsurance for the launch of a new technical MGU called Conductive Underwriters, which will provide all-risk coverage including embedded parametric insurance, Program Manager can reveal.

Distinguished Programs is executing ambitious growth plans under its new management that include targeting opportunities to partner with carriers and take on underwriting teams from those companies while enabling them to retain risk premium on the business, Program Manager can reveal.