The highly regarded financial institutions group at Clifford Chance LLP is commended for its ‘excellent London insurance market knowledge, including the complexities of the joint venture‘. Its expertise spans across life, non-life, M&A, reinsurance, regulatory and ILS transactions. Practice head Ashley Prebble oversees the group and specialises in Part VII transfers, complex reinsurance agreements, distribution agreements and regulatory matters. Cheng Li Yow plays an important role in supporting the group and focuses her practice on non-contentious reinsurance matters, including reinsurance regulatory advice. Imogen Ainsworth advises both financial institutions and financial investors on M&A, portfolio transfers and pension de-risking solutions. James Cashier is highlighted for his work in the Lloyd’s market and Hilary Evenett is also a well-known name.

The ‘technically strong, pragmatic and efficient‘ insurance practice at Slaughter and May is well regarded for its work advising clients in the pension de-risking market for insurers and associated reinsurance transactions. Jonathan Marks sits at the helm of the practice, which benefits from his significant knowledge of corporate and life and non-life insurance matters. Nick Bonsall has a keen eye for strategic advisory mandates stemming from the financial services sector. Nick Pacheco is frequently called upon by large insurers to assist with Part VII transfers. Its partner offering was also recently strengthened by the promotion of Thomas Peacock, who specialises in the risk transfer market, in May 2024.

Supported by its US counterparts, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP is a popular choice for life and property-casualty insurers, reinsurers, brokers, private equity investors, insurance sector funds and banks. Its far-reaching expertise spans ILS and Lloyd’s market matters, insurance financing structures, and the pension and longevity risk transfer market. Practice head Joseph Ferraro enjoys a stellar reputation in M&A transactions and corporate finance matters. Supporting the practice is Melanie James, who is skilled across the board of non-contentious insurance matters; Nicholas Bugler, who has considerable knowledge of the Lloyd’s market, as well as the reinsurance and capital markets industries; Jennifer Tait, who focuses her practice on capital markets and ILS offerings; Kirsty Maclean, whose expertise lies in complex life risk transfer transactions; Tim Baumgartner, who shines in corporate insurance transactions; Eilidh Brown, who specialises in risk transfer transactions in the life sector; and Andrew Tromans.

A&O Shearman enjoys a strong reputation in the longevity risk transfer and pension scheme de-risking transactions space. Outside of this, the group handles a range of M&A and structured reinsurance mandates, including those of an insurtech or private equity nature. On the regulatory front, the group regularly advises on Solvency II matters. Philip Jarvis sits at the head of the practice and boasts wide-ranging experience in the insurance space. Kate McInerney ably supports the practice and is regularly involved in its most significant de-risking and M&A transactions in the insurance sector.

CMS is highly regarded for its work in the life, annuity and pension risk transfer transactions space, as well as its specialisation in techfin and insurtech for emerging innovators and start-ups. The group is jointly overseen by both Owen Ross and Pippa Tasker, with Ross bringing significant corporate finance expertise to the group and Tasker being a specialist in techfin businesses within the insurance market. Other notable names within the practice include James Parker, who excels in the pensions de-risking market; Angela Greenough, who is an expert in regulated insurance and financial services outsourcing and complex commercial arrangements; Rizwan Rahman, who is a key name for corporate transactions for insurance clients; and Jenny Nanalal, who shines in capital-driven transactions and associated regulatory matters. Paul Edmondson adds senior expertise.

The Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP insurance group is highlighted for its strength in the life insurance space, particularly its pension longevity and de-risking work. The group can also be seen advising insurance brokers on a range of M&A mandates. Hugo Laing, who specialises in transactional insurance work and is most commonly active in M&A, portfolio transfers and reinsurance matters, co-heads the practice alongside Martin Mankabady, who is a key contact for non-life insurance businesses. Rosamund Wood, who was promoted to partner in May 2024, specialises in risk transfer transactions. Paula Gaddum leads on the non-contentious and regulatory work for the group.

Well regarded for its extensive regulatory expertise, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s insurance group advises clients on both prudential and conduct of business matters. Other areas of focus include reinsurance and portfolio transfer transactions, as well as insurance intermediation. Geoffrey Maddock oversees the practice and has experience of transactional work within the insurance sector, as well as providing prudential and other regulatory advice to insurers and reinsurers. Key members of the practice include Barnaby Hinnigan, who is a key contact for clients in the financial services sector; Alison Matthews, who has extensive experience advising on prudential and conduct of business regulation; Grant Murtagh, whose expertise lies in Part VII transfers and reinsurance transactions; and Shaun Lee, who is a key port of call for financial investors and private equity-backed companies in the insurance intermediary, asset and wealth management, and private real estate sectors.

While possessing ‘strong regulatory capabilities‘, HFW is also well regarded for its expertise in insurtech, Lloyd’s market and M&A matters. The practice counts a range of major insurers and reinsurers among its clients. Jointly leading the group are Ashwani Kochhar, who is commended for his corporate insurance expertise, especially within the Lloyd’s market; Bob Haken, who brings legacy and Lloyd’s market knowledge to the group, as well as transactional expertise; and William Reddie, who has strong mutual and personal indemnity sector expertise, as well as extensive regulatory knowledge.

Equipped with ‘unmatched contacts within the insurance industry‘, Norton Rose Fulbright is leaned on by major insurers, brokers, MGAs, MGUs and private capital investors in the insurance market. Key areas of focus for the practice include capital financing, reinsurance, life and longevity insurance mandates. James Bateson is strong in the cross-border M&A and restructuring space; he jointly heads the practice alongside Nicholas Berry, who leads on the insurtech work with a focus on the corporate and regulatory aspects of emerging technology in the insurance space. Matthew Foster is a notable name with extensive experience in the financial institutions sector, and Maria Ross is highlighted for her significant expertise in Part VII transfers and longevity reinsurance transactions.

Pinsent Masons LLP‘s broad range of expertise spans strategic M&A, reinsurance arrangements, Part VII transfers, longevity de-risking transactions and distribution arrangements. Its financial services focus sees its well placed to advise on schemes of arrangement for life insurers. Jointly sitting at practice head level are Hannah Brader, who is praised for her ‘excellent pragmatic style’ in M&A within the financial services sector; Hammad Akhtar, who excels in M&A, Part VII transfers and reinsurance matters; and Iain Sawers, who is a leading adviser on insurance regulation and distribution matters. Chrissy Findlay is also a key member of the practice, as is Peter McCusker, who joined the firm in April 2024.

RPC‘s ‘company market insurance knowledge and excellent transaction capability‘ sees it regularly instructed on ILS matters, M&A, reinsurance transactions and restructurings. The group has ample experience of handling insurance market M&A and refinancing transactions, particularly cross-border business transfers, portfolio transfers and renewal rights transfers. Matthew Griffith sits at the helm of the practice and is regularly engaged to advise on matters involving insurance regulation and post-Brexit related issues. James Mee is noted for his expertise in M&A, private equity and reinsurance transactions. William Hogarth is a specialist in regulatory and transactional mandates that include insurtech, parametric insurance and bespoke insurance solutions.

Characterised by its strong insurance sector M&A work, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP is considered a transactional powerhouse. It also advises clients on reinsurance matters, regulatory issues, debt and equity market transactions, and regulatory capital and financing arrangements. Practice head Robert Chaplin is highly regarded in the area and has extensive experience in transactions involving financial sponsors and their insurers and portfolio companies. Chaplin is supported by Benjamin Lyon, who joined the practice in February 2024 from Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, and excels in M&A, capital raising and reinsurance transactions, as well as being knowledgeable about the insurtech sector.

Commended for its ‘in-depth knowledge of the insurance industry‘, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is a trusted advisor to clients seeking assistance with a range of insurance-related transactions and restructurings. Specific areas of focus for the group include reinsurance M&A and W&I insurance matters. Practice head Geraldine Quirk enjoys a strong reputation in Part VII transfer schemes, reinsurance arrangements and schemes of arrangement. Adam Bogdanor is a key contact for clients in the hotel and financial services sectors, while Andrew Hart focuses his practice on US clients’ international transactions and ongoing EU operations.

Praised for its ‘understanding of complex insurance structures‘, Clyde & Co has expertise in reinsurance, alternative risk transfer agreements, M&A, distribution and outsourcing arrangements. Sitting at the head of the practice, Ivor Edwards is lauded for his Lloyd’s market expertise, as well as his ability to handle complex and highly regulated insurance matters. Mark Williamson is highly regarded for his specialisation in commercial transactions, technology, data privacy, e-commerce and outsourcing in the insurance industry.

By engaging its ‘great sector knowledge‘, DAC Beachcroft LLP assists clients with a range of transactional insurance work, including M&A, group reorganisations and Part VII transfers. Charlotte Halford, who is knowledgeable about commercial insurance distribution, technology and digital insurance matters, jointly heads the group alongside financial services regulation expert Mathew Rutter. Further key names to note include Mark Neville, who handles UK and overseas insurance arrangements; Jade Kowalski, who focuses her practice on data protection issues within the insurance sector; Julian Miller, who has a keen eye for drafting cyber policies and war endorsements; Angela Hayes, who has niche expertise in regulatory investigations; Jonathan Deverill, who is active in the sale and purchase of insurance intermediaries; and David Sims, who brings employment experience to the group.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is appreciated by clients for being ‘strong on financial services regulation and outsourcing regulatory requirements’. On the transactional front, the practice has expertise in M&A and reinsurance matters. Co-head Clare Swirski advises a range of clients of M&A, share and business sales, reinsurance and Solvency II regulation. Fellow co-head Drew Dutton is relied upon by financial institutions, private equity sponsors and pension funds on a range of transactional mandates.

DLA Piper stands out for its ‘in-depth subject knowledge and global reach for cross-border transactions’, especially in the W&I space. Jointly heading the practice are Amrit Mclean, who boasts extensive experience in pensions de-risking mandates, and George Mortimer, who leads on the group's regulatory insurance work. International head of insurtech Anthony Day assists clients in the insurance sector with strategic AI. In addition, Carl Hotton was welcomed to the firm in March 2024 from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.

Specialising in the non-contentious insurance sector, Latham & Watkins is a key port of call for insurers, reinsurers, brokers, banks and private capital investors. Its corporate insurance expertise sees it handling pensions de-risking and longevity risk matters. Victoria Sander heads up the practice and is regularly seen on M&A transactions, portfolio transfers, reinsurance arrangements and distribution arrangements. Other key members of the practice include Beatrice Lo, Kem Ihenacho, Neil Campbell, Mike Turner and Shing Lo, all of whom are heavily involved in the firm’s cross-border M&A transactions.

‘Deep knowledge of the UK and European regulatory capital markets‘, Linklaters LLP is regularly tasked with handling pensions de-risking, M&A and reinsurance mandates. Duncan Barber heads up the practice, which benefits from his extensive experience of handling transfer schemes, and reinsurance and longevity insurance matters.

Strengthened by its international reach, Mayer Brown International LLP‘s global insurance industry group is a popular choice for its ‘deep industry knowledge and trans-Atlantic coverage‘. Its main areas of focus are the insurance and reinsurance sectors, as well as ILS mandates. Overseeing the practice, Colin Scagell is a name to note for large cross-border insurance mandates. Rebecca Bothamley leads the firm’s UK transactional liability work and assists buyers of insurance products and insurers. The group also leans on the expertise of Devi Shah.

Leading insurers, reinsurers, brokers and investors in the insurance sector turn to Sidley Austin LLP‘s insurance and financial services group for its ‘outstanding partners in insurance transactional and regulatory practice’. The practice is particularly strong in the private equity space and assists clients with their entry into the insurance sector. Led by the highly regarded Martin Membery, the practice also benefits from the support of James Phythian-Adams, who specialises in cross-border transactional and regulatory insurance mandates.

Clients appreciate Addleshaw Goddard‘s ‘technical and industry expertise‘ when it comes to facilitating corporate insurance transactions and advising on insured pension products. The practice is jointly overseen by Robert Garwood, who leads on its non-contentious work, specifically product governance, customer documentation and distribution arrangements, Steven Francis and Matthew Brewer.

Known for ‘representing banks with great depth of knowledge‘, Ashurst also advises insurers, reinsurers, brokers and financial services groups. Its work encompasses M&A, captive insurance and reinsurance matters, and alternative risk arrangements. Adam Levitt is skilled in M&A, restructurings and portfolio transfers; he jointly oversees the practice alongside Rehana Box. Supporting the practice, Nick Wong specialises in lender-side financing within the insurance sector and Jacob Gold is active in the insurance and equity derivative spaces. The team was further bolstered by welcoming Gavin Weir from Akin in January 2024.

Stevens & Bolton LLP boasts expertise in M&A transactions, Part VII transfers, bulk annuity matters and reinsurance transactions. The Guildford-based practice is headed up by Gary Parnell and Heidi Sawtell; Parnell specialises in insurance distribution arrangements and affinity partnerships, and Sawtell excels in Part VII transfers, reinsurance and pension de-risking transactions. Other notable names in the practice include David Steinberg, Joe Bedford and Jenny Robertson.

Specialist insurance and reinsurance boutique Carter Perry Bailey LLP covers both life and non-life matters, as well as disputes between insurance entities. Practice head Stephen Carter is adept at advising on contract construction, regulatory matters and the drafting of insurance documents. Bernadette Bailey supports the practice with experience in both contentious and non-contentious insurance matters.

Stephenson Harwood is distinguished by its particular focus on regulated businesses within the insurance sector, specifically insurance brokers and general agencies. Heading up the team is M&A expert Sam Gray, who is knowledgeable about the technology and financial services sectors. Karima Hudson joined the firm in June 2023 from Taylor Wessing LLP.