The commercial insurance provider, QBE, is strategically enhancing its Warranty & Indemnity (W&I) capabilities across the Nordic region in response to an increasing demand for sophisticated transactional risk insurance solutions.
Following a period of uncertainty, Sweden’s M&A market is demonstrating signs of resurgence. Data from EY reveals that 387 deals were finalized in Q4 of 2024, marking a 9% increase compared to the previous year. Investment banks are optimistic about this trend continuing into 2025, driven by anticipated interest rate cuts, a surge in IPO activities, and a strong level of capital readiness.
The transaction environment has grown more intricate, necessitating advanced technical expertise and robust insurance solutions to effectively manage uncertainties and provide reassurance to partners engaged in these deals. This complexity is fueling the demand for tailored insurance products that bolster the predictability and security of business transactions.
Gunnar Blomqvist, QBE’s Nordic Underwriting Manager, stated, “As businesses reassess their strategies to either fortify supply chains or leverage emerging technologies, the role of venture capital firms is expanding. A sophisticated transaction landscape requires enhanced technical expertise and the capacity to analyze and manage risks adeptly.”
In alignment with its expansion efforts, QBE has appointed Samuel Pihl as the Transactional Liability Underwriter for the Nordics, a newly established position. Pihl brings a wealth of experience from both the insurance and legal sectors, having previously worked on corporate transactions at one of Sweden’s premier law firms. In this role, he will focus on underwriting W&I insurance in the region, utilizing QBE’s extensive global capabilities.
Toria Lessman, Global Head of Transactional Liability at QBE, remarked, “In a growing M&A market where transactions are increasingly complex, ensuring predictability and security is paramount. We are delighted to extend our global expertise and local knowledge to the Nordics, providing our broker partners and clients with transaction solutions that meet their business objectives.”
