Seizing Market & M&A Opportunities

10:40 - 11:15
Panel: Specialty Lines Unplugged – Financial, Construction, Cyber and Beyond
SHORE ZONE
Specialty is where the market gets interesting—and complex. In this scenario‑driven panel, brokers and underwriters walk through real‑world situations, from founder sales to PE and roll‑up plays to complex construction and cyber exposures. Hear where they’re seeing profitable growth, how capacity and pricing are shifting, and the questions to ask clients and markets. Leave with practical niches to target and a checklist for your next high‑stakes placement or transaction.
10:40–11:15
E&S Unfiltered: The Insider’s Guide for 2026
PALM ZONE
E&S is where some of the toughest—and most interesting—business is happening. In this session, top E&S brokers, MGAs, and underwriters break down how they’re accessing capacity, navigating shifting appetites, and solving for risks the standard market won’t touch. Learn practical strategies for building strong carrier and MGA relationships, handling difficult claims conversations, and using tech to streamline submissions. Delegates will leave with insider perspectives and new approaches to winning in the 2026 E&S market.
11:20 -12:00
Panel: Distribution Disrupted – Brokers of Tomorrow Amid M&A
SHORE ZONE
The insurance distribution landscape is evolving rapidly. Shifting market capacity, ongoing M&A activity, and economic headwinds are redefining the broker’s role and reshaping how insurance reaches the market. In this session, industry leaders who have navigated consolidation, capacity crunches, and changing client expectations share their real-world strategies for staying competitive and resilient. Discover how independent and regional brokers can still win, the niches and partnerships that matter most, and practical approaches to position your brokerage for growth over the next 3–5 years of distribution change.
11:20 - 11:55
Panel: Customer Expectations 2026: Meeting the Digital First Broker
PALM ZONE
Market consolidation, shifting capacity, and economic pressures are transforming insurance distribution. This panel brings together brokers who have navigated M&A, capacity crunches, and changing client demands, sharing practical strategies for staying competitive. Learn how independent and regional brokers can leverage partnerships, target profitable niches, and adapt their business models to thrive over the next 3–5 years of disruption.
13:35 - 14:15
Panel: Claims & Courtroom Chaos: Surviving Nuclear Verdicts in the E&S Era
OCEAN ZONE
Litigation, social inflation, and “nuclear” jury awards are reshaping the E&S landscape, and claims missteps are more expensive than ever. Step into the trenches with claims and legal experts as they share how early intervention, advanced analytics, and tight broker‑carrier‑counsel coordination can change outcomes—from reserving and defence strategy to settlement posture. Walk away with a sharper checklist of questions to ask on every large, complex claim and a clearer story to take back to clients about what’s really at stake.
15:05 - 15:45
Navigating Consolidation: The Retail Broker’s Roadmap
OCEAN ZONE
Consolidation is rewriting the rules for retail brokers, from valuations and carrier dynamics to competitive positioning. This panel examines M&A as both existential threat and growth catalyst, unpacking how deals are being priced, what strategic buyers are looking for, and when it makes sense to build, buy, or sell. Hear how independent and regional brokers are extracting value through scale, specialisation, or strategic partnerships, and leave with a clearer view on which path—sell, scale, specialise, or partner—makes the most sense for your firm.