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Surviving and thriving as an MGA in a softening market and how to avoid the “cliff edge”

Market Trends Operational

Online

10th February 2026 • 13.00 - 14.00

About this session

This briefing session will examine the fundamentals of the MGA model and the key drivers of value, including how MGAs differ from insurer and broker schemes and how value is created for customers, brokers and insurers. It will provide an overview of the UK and European MGA market, highlighting sustained growth in the US and UK, Europe as an emerging growth market, and developing opportunities across APAC, MENA and India. The session will also consider the challenges MGAs face as market conditions soften, with a particular focus on the importance of maintaining underwriting discipline. Practical tools and approaches to support sustainable underwriting profitability will be explored, including clear pricing models, exposure profile evolution, claims leakage and regular insurer liaison.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, delegates will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the MGA business model
Describe the structure and key characteristics of the UK and European MGA market
Evaluate the risks associated with softening market conditions and apply practical underwriting tools and controls

Gary Head

Chief Underwriting Officer • Optio

Gary Head was appointed Chief Underwriting Officer at Optio in March 2025. He joined the business from AXA, where he held a number of senior leadership roles over a distinguished career. Most recently, he led AXA’s Financial Lines & Specialty teams, having previously served as Director of Schemes & Delegated Authority. During his tenure, Gary played a key role in strengthening underwriting performance and broker relationships, with the business recognised as Schemes Insurer of the Year at the Insurance Age Broker Awards in both 2023 and 2024. Gary brings extensive underwriting expertise and leadership experience to Optio, supporting the continued growth and development of its specialty lines offering.