The International Underwriting Association has unveiled its 2026 Business Plan, highlighting new initiatives for underwriting, claims and emerging risks in the London company market.

The trade body will launch two councils this year to provide members with senior-level forums on industry developments. One council will bring together chief underwriting officers, while the second will adopt a multi-discipline approach to emerging risk challenges. This group will combine risk, underwriting and claims professionals to develop risk mapping frameworks, coordinate thought leadership and carry out data collection exercises.

The IUA’s public policy team will focus on promoting proportionate regulation, advocating clear distinctions between retail and wholesale risk treatment, and prioritising growth and competitiveness as core regulatory principles. The association will also push for common data standards to underpin digital transformation across the London Market.

Chris Jones, IUA chief executive, said: “We are aiming to establish a more strategic approach to emerging and systemic risks, including cyber risks, artificial intelligence, climate risk, regulatory risk and parametrics.

“It is our job as a market association to represent our members, and provide technical services and an interactive framework that leave members better positioned to meet such challenges.

“We will also be seeing to be more visible in our relationships with regulators and governments, supporting members through a challenging timetable this year of regulatory consultations and implementations.”

---