QBE Enhances Its W&I Insurance Offerings in the Nordics
Commercial insurer QBE is strategically broadening its Warranty & Indemnity (W&I) insurance services across the Nordic countries to align with the rising demand for sophisticated transactional risk management solutions.
Sweden’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market, which recently experienced a period of flux, is beginning to show positive recovery signs. According to a report by EY, 387 deals were successfully finalized in the fourth quarter of 2024, marking a notable 9% increase compared to the previous year. Investment banks anticipate this upward trend will persist into 2025, spurred by reduced interest rates, an increase in initial public offerings (IPOs), and robust capital reserves.
Concurrently, the transaction landscape has grown increasingly intricate. The demand for technical proficiency and robust insurance solutions is paramount to effectively navigate uncertainties and offer assurance to transaction stakeholders. This evolving environment has bolstered the need for customized insurance products that enhance deal predictability.
Gunnar Blomqvist, QBE Nordic Underwriting Manager, emphasized, “More companies are reevaluating their strategies—some aim to fortify supply chains, while others seek to harness new technologies. Concurrently, venture capital firms are ramping up their activities. In this sophisticated transaction climate, the necessity for technical expertise and the capacity to analyze and manage risks efficiently is greater than ever.”
In its expansion efforts, QBE has appointed Samuel Pihl to the newly established position of Transactional Liability Underwriter for the Nordic region. Pihl’s extensive background in both the insurance and legal sectors, including experience with corporate transactions at a leading Swedish law firm, positions him ideally to underwrite W&I insurance across the region, leveraging QBE’s global resources.
Toria Lessman, Global Head of Transactional Liability at QBE, remarked, “In a growing M&A market characterized by complex transactions, predictability and security are more crucial than ever. We are thrilled to extend our global expertise and local insights to the Nordics, providing our broker partners and clients with transaction solutions tailored to their business needs.”
