Global investment and insurance organisation Starr has completed its acquisition of IQUW Group, creating a broader and more diversified specialty re/insurance platform with expanded capabilities in the London market, Bermuda, and UK retail motor.
Through the IQUW acquisition, Starr said, it has strengthened its position in London and established its managing agency as the ninth-largest at Lloyd’s.
The firm also highlighted its “significantly enhanced” reinsurance capabilities, noting that IQUW Re Bermuda and IQUW’s London reinsurance business will now operate as Starr Re.
The newly branded entity will write inward reinsurance, bolstering Starr’s ability to offer a diversified portfolio across multiple geographies and lines of business.
Starr Re will reportedly benefit from the group’s capital strength, enabling thoughtful capital deployment across market cycles and positioning the firm to better serve clients across the re/insurance market.
In 2025, IQUW wrote $1.88 billion of GWP, which is comprised of business written by IQUW (Syndicate 1856), ERS (Syndicate 218), the UK’s largest specialist motor insurer at Lloyd’s, and IQUW Re Bermuda (now Starr Re).
Syndicate 1856 will be rebranded as Starr, while ERS will continue to trade under its existing brand, given its strong and established presence. There will be no brand change to Starr’s Syndicate 1919.
Jeff Greenberg, chairman and co-chief executive officer of Starr, commented, “The completion of this transaction advances Starr’s strategy to build a global, diversified, best-in-class underwriting business. I am delighted to welcome our new colleagues to Starr.
“Together, we are a larger, more resilient platform with the scale and expertise to compete and win across global markets and deliver sustainable, long-term growth.”
Steve Blakey, president and chief executive officer of Starr Insurance Holdings, said, “We are thrilled to be bringing together our talented people and ensuring that our clients and brokers have the same seamless support and access to a broader suite of specialist solutions.
“As a combined organisation, we will remain relentlessly focused on delivering exceptional service for our brokers and clients across all elements of our business.”
Peter Bilsby, who will lead Starr’s international business, added, “The completion of this transaction is a proud moment for everyone who has contributed to building the IQUW Group since its inception.
“From the outset, our ambition was to create a high-performing, specialist platform defined by great talent and market-leading data and technology. Now, as part of Starr, we can take advantage of being part of a stronger and more diversified global organisation.”
