The Ardonagh Group said on October 27, 2026, that it will bring its managing general agent businesses under the Orvia Underwriting brand, creating a platform with more than $3 billion in gross written premium.

Key Takeaways

  • Former Acrisure executive Mark McIlquham has been appointed CEO of Orvia.
  • Geo Underwriting is due to become Orvia UK after a transition period in 2027.
  • Envest Agencies and Dubai-based Antarah will also adopt regional Orvia brands.

Orvia Underwriting’s global structure

The rebrand marks a shift from a regional structure to a global, product-led operating model for Ardonagh’s managing general agent, or MGA, operations. McIlquham will lead the initial consolidation of its pan-European, UK and specialty MGAs under the Orvia name.

The rollout builds on Orvia’s European launch in January 2026. Conor Geraghty is CEO of Orvia Europe and Specialty. McIlquham will also work alongside Ardonagh Operating Partner Chris Lay, who joined the group in April.

Regional brands and leadership

In the UK, Geo Underwriting will transition to Orvia UK following a structured transition period in 2027. Specialist brands AGRi, Hoxton, Lorega, Navigators and General, and Renovation Underwriting will keep their identities on the platform. Ardonagh said an Orvia UK CEO will be appointed in due course.

Envest Agencies, the parent of 14 specialist intermediated and direct MGAs, will become Orvia Australia and New Zealand. Belinda Steedman has been named CEO effective November 2, reporting to a local agency board and working within the Envest Group senior team.

Antarah, a Dubai-based Lloyd’s coverholder, MGA and reinsurance intermediary focused on the Middle East and Africa, will transition to Orvia Middle East and Africa. Antonio El Hokayem is its CEO.

McIlquham’s background

At Acrisure, McIlquham led the company’s entry into UK retail, building a platform spanning retail broking, MGAs and intermediary networks. Before that, he spent 22 years at Deloitte, where he was a senior partner heading its financial services advisory practice.

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