As BIBA Approaches, Brokers Are Feeling Optimistic Says Ascend

The feedback from Ascend is very timely with BIBA 2026 just around the corner;

Insurance brokers are confident about growth at their own businesses and the sector as a whole, new research* from Ascend Insurance Holdings (AIH) shows.

Its study with insurance brokers across the UK found all expect the softening market to plateau by Q4 of 2026 and revenue at their firms to increase in the year ahead and over the next three years.

More than half (54%) expect revenue to grow by between 5% and 10% over the next 12 months with a further two out of five (42%) predicting growth of between 10% and 15%. Over three years the number predicting growth of between 10% and 15% rises to nearly two out of three (63%). Nearly a third (30%) expect growth of more than 15% in the next three years.

The research from AIH, which is building a group of between four and six regional broking powerhouses to support regional brokers across the UK with backing of up to £200 million, shows growth areas differ slightly over one and three years.

Over the next 12 months D&O, employee benefits and key man cover were selected among the top three by most brokers with property and cyber cover ranked the next most likely to grow.

Over the next three years vehicle insurance, D&O and cyber, risk managed were selected among the top three by most brokers with property and liability cover ranked the next most likely to grow.

Matthew Collins, Chief Executive at Ascend Insurance Holdings, said: “Insurance brokers are optimistic about growth in their sector and ambitious to expand their own businesses too. “The challenge for many however is that they may struggle to achieve the growth they expect without investment and support on issues such as regulation and technology.

“By accessing outside expertise and central capabilities, brokers can broaden their proposition and expand without losing focus on their core business.”

At AIH early partner firms will help shape how the group evolves – from culture and operating standards to growth priorities – while benefiting from enhanced capabilities, access to talent and technology, and the opportunity to share in the long-term value created across the wider platform.

AIH has identified a gap in the market facing entrepreneurial insurance brokers who want to expand their businesses but are wary about joining large firms which can be bureaucratic, give less autonomy and have a greater focus on bigger clients, with the result that service suffers.