M&A activity to pick up in 2010

The size and scale of insurance companies was becoming increasingly important for rating agencies, investors and clients, according to Tony Ursano, chief executive of Willis Capital Markets & Advisory, a unit within the Willis insurance broking group. Speaking at an industry event in London, Mr. Ursano cited this as one of the key factors likely to drive future M&A activity. He said that, importantly, M&A would satisfy the pent-up demand for liquidity from private equity owners. insurance He described insurance M&A volume in 2009 as light. However, he was adamant that the insurance industry will see a pick up in M&A) activity in 2010 as the soft market fuels the search for growth, diversification and specialisation that can be achieved through M&A.