Beazley has rejected Zurich Insurance Group’s cash takeover proposal, saying it materially undervalues the specialty insurer and its long-term prospects as an independent listed company. Following Zurich’s public approach, Beazley’s board unanimously dismissed this week’s offer, noting it was lower than the previous bid.

The defence sector faces a widening set of economic, political and supply chain risks, despite strong demand for military capability. Production constraints, limited international coordination and rising fiscal pressure are undermining the sector’s ability to respond to growing geopolitical instability, according to analysis from Oxford Analytica and Willis.

Senior business leaders and corporate governance experts have expressed “profound disappointment” at the Government’s decision to drop the Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill.

Intact Insurance has launched a new broker trading proposition aimed at improving access to underwriters and strengthening trading across the UK’s regional markets. Intact Trading is designed to make it easier for brokers to trade cases, access multiple classes of business and collaborate more closely with decision-makers. Central to the proposition are its new Intact Trading Days.

European ports face a complex and high-risk transition as new rules will soon require ships to draw electricity from shore while alongside, TT Club has warned. EU Regulation 2023/1804 will require seagoing container and passenger ships calling at Trans-European Transport Network core ports to use onshore power supply from 2030.

Underwriters in the Lloyd’s market are increasingly alert to potential losses linked to artificial intelligence as its use grows across business operations. Professional indemnity, cyber, product recall and accident and health lines all show signs of emerging AI-related exposures.