The medical malpractice syndicate launched at the beginning of 2018 and is managed by Coverys Managing Agency, with backing from medical professional liability specialist Coverys.
As part of the company market realignment, the team in London will remain in place and continue to write the book of business, transferring clients onto company market paper in 2023 on renewal.
It is understood that the decision to close the syndicate reflects the challenges Coverys has faced in achieving its desired speed and scale of growth within the strict Lloyd’s performance framework.
Business will continue to be written on Lloyd’s paper during 2022, and clients have been informed of the impending change.
The move is similar to Sompo International’s decision last year to shutter its Lloyd’s business and focus its strategies in London on a company market platform.
Coverys has various options on how to continue operating following the closure of the syndicate, with choices including writing business through a branch of the group’s Dublin company or a branch of its US company. Establishing a new UK-domiciled company is another possibility, it is understood.
Medmal writer Coverys has an ‘A’ rating from AM Best, the same as the Lloyd’s rating.
Approached for comment, CEO of Coverys Managing Agency Robert Forster said: “Our ambitious growth plans require a flexible approach and the ability to plan for the long term.
“To achieve our goals, we are forming a new company platform to allow additional options and capacity for our clients. We are excited and looking forward to being able to offer additional solutions to our brokers and clients over the course of 2022 and beyond.”
The closure of the Lloyd’s business follows the recent news that Victor Syndicate 2288 is ceasing trading and entering run-off.
Syndicate 1975 has reported underwriting losses in the past two years, with a combined ratio of 126% in 2019 and 154% in 2020.
In 2020 the business wrote £54.7mn in gross written premiums, reserving £7.5mn for losses relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The syndicate’s stamp capacity is set to remain flat at £50mn next year.
It has undergone a change in underwriting management since launch, with Valentina Minetti replacing Keith Bryceland as active underwriter at the beginning of last year.
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