- Allianz Commercial plans to launch a direct underwriting syndicate at Lloyd’s on January 1, 2027, subject to final regulatory approval, after receiving approval in principle.
- Allianz Commercial 1893 will expand the insurer’s access to specialty insurance, facilities and selected managing general agent (MGA) business, with Polo Managing Agency acting as managing agent.
- The move strengthens Allianz’s presence in the Lloyd’s market, which generated £57.9 bn in gross written premiums in 2025 and represents approximately half of the London insurance market.
Allianz Commercial has announced plans to establish Allianz Commercial 1893, a new direct underwriting syndicate at Lloyd’s of London, expanding its presence in the international specialty insurance market.
The syndicate is expected to begin trading on January 1, 2027, subject to final regulatory approval. Lloyd’s has already granted approval in principle.
The proposed operation will provide Allianz Commercial with a direct underwriting presence at Lloyd’s and broader access to specialist insurance business placed through the marketplace.
Allianz Commercial 1893 to expand specialty insurance and MGA underwriting
The new syndicate will focus on specialty insurance, facilities arrangements and selected business originating from managing general agents (MGAs). Polo Managing Agency will serve as the syndicate’s managing agent.
Allianz Commercial expects the operation to strengthen its access to specialist risks and improve its ability to support insurance brokers and corporate clients with complex international exposures.
Thomas Lillelund, Chief Executive Officer of Allianz Commercial, said the investment would establish a permanent direct underwriting operation within the Lloyd’s market.
“The new syndicate will establish a long-term direct underwriting presence for Allianz Commercial in one of the world’s leading Specialty markets,” Lillelund said.
It will expand our access to specialist business and strengthen our ability to serve clients and brokers facing increasingly complex and international risks.
Thomas Lillelund, CEO of Allianz Commercial
The syndicate’s name refers to 1893, when Allianz established an office in London, marking its first international expansion following the company’s founding in Berlin in 1890.
Lloyd’s welcomes Allianz Commercial’s underwriting expansion
The planned syndicate will increase Allianz’s participation in Lloyd’s, a specialist insurance and reinsurance marketplace serving complex commercial and international risks.
Lloyd’s reported gross written premiums of £57.9 bn in 2025, representing approximately half of the broader London insurance market.
The marketplace provides insurers with access to specialist underwriting expertise, international distribution networks and business involving multinational and complex exposures.
Dawn Miller, Lloyd’s Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Lloyd’s Americas, welcomed Allianz Commercial’s decision to establish a syndicate.
“We are delighted to welcome this new Allianz syndicate to the Lloyd’s market,” Miller said. “The decision to launch at Lloyd’s not only reflects our history of bringing together the world’s leading risk takers but is also a vote of confidence in the market’s unique advantages in servicing multinational, specialty, and complex risks at scale.”
