Acrisure London Wholesale Launches Dedicated Aviation Division

This article is based on an official press release from Acrisure.

On March 23, 2026, Acrisure London Wholesale (ALW) officially announced the launch of a dedicated Aviation Division. According to a company press release, this strategic move aims to bolster the global fintech and insurance broker’s specialty capabilities within the London market, providing a critical link between its retail clients and complex wholesale placements.

The new division is spearheaded by Jonny Rowling, who assumed the role of Senior Vice President and Head of Aviation on March 16, 2026. Rowling brings over 15 years of industry experience to the position, having previously served as Co-Head of General Aviation and Placement Leader at Marsh, following a seven-year tenure at Lockton.

We note that this launch represents a significant step in Acrisure’s broader strategy to connect its expansive US-based retail operations with the specialized underwriting capacity of the London wholesale market.

Strategic Expansion in the London Wholesale Market

ALW operates as the wholesale arm of Acrisure, placing complex risks through Lloyd’s of London and other London company markets on behalf of intermediaries. The addition of the Aviation Division follows closely on the heels of ALW’s new Construction Division, which launched in February 2026 under the leadership of another former Lockton executive, Tom Hester.

Acrisure has experienced massive global growth over the past decade. Company data indicates revenue has surged from $38 million to nearly $5 billion over the last 11 years. Following a $2.1 billion funding round led by Bain Capital in May 2025, the brokerage reached a valuation of $32 billion and currently employs over 19,000 people across 24 countries.

Leadership and Talent Acquisition

The build-out of ALW’s specialty desks is being overseen by Managing Director Tom Quy, who emphasized the importance of bringing in specialized talent to navigate the complexities of the global aviation sector.

“Jonny’s appointment reflects our continued investment in building specialist capabilities within Acrisure London Wholesale. Aviation is a dynamic and globally connected market, and Jonny brings deep expertise and strong relationships that will enable us to develop a compelling proposition…”

Navigating a Hardening Aviation Insurance Market

The launch of ALW’s aviation desk coincides with a highly transitional and hardening period for the aviation insurance sector. According to a January 2026 landscape report by Willis Towers Watson (WTW), insurers are targeting rate increases of approximately 10% for “clean” aviation risks this year, with steeper hikes expected for distressed accounts.

Furthermore, Gallagher Specialty’s Plane Talking Q4 2025 report highlighted that 2025 was a particularly challenging year for the market. Premium adequacy has been strained by consecutive loss-making years and major incidents, including the total loss of a UPS Airlines MD-11 in November 2025. Industry data also points to soaring maintenance and repair operations (MRO) costs, which have surged by roughly 39% over the past three years due to material shortages, workforce scarcity, and exclusive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) servicing.

In addition to rising costs, the market is grappling with emerging liability challenges, including geopolitical volatility, cybersecurity threats, and technological disruptions from advanced air mobility such as drones and electric aircraft.

“I’m excited to join ALW at such a pivotal stage in its growth. The opportunity to establish and expand a dedicated aviation practice within Acrisure’s global network is an incredible opportunity. There is significant potential to deliver innovative solutions to clients across the aviation sector…”

Bridging Retail and Wholesale Operations

The new London-based division is designed to work in tandem with Acrisure Aerospace, the company’s retail aviation group. Launched in February 2024 and led by Managing Director Jason Riley, Acrisure Aerospace consolidated several partner agencies to serve direct clients domestically in the US and internationally.

By establishing a dedicated wholesale division, Acrisure aims to provide a holistic offering that covers everything from light aircraft to commercial fleets and complex aerospace placements.

“Jonny’s addition strengthens the connection between ALW’s new aviation division and Acrisure Aerospace, expanding our capabilities and bringing a more holistic aerospace offering to clients worldwide.”

AirPro News analysis

We view Acrisure’s latest expansion as a calculated effort to “close the loop” in its aviation placement process. By establishing a heavy-hitting wholesale desk in London, the world’s premier market for complex aviation risk, Acrisure can now seamlessly funnel the retail business it generates in the US directly into Lloyd’s of London. This allows the brokerage to keep more of the placement process, and the associated revenue, in-house.

Furthermore, ALW’s aggressive talent acquisition strategy, evidenced by recruiting top-tier executives from legacy brokers like Marsh and Lockton, signals a clear ambition to disrupt the London specialty market. Launching this division during a hard market is timely; with premiums rising and capacity tightening, clients are actively seeking the innovative broking solutions that Acrisure is positioning itself to provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Acrisure London Wholesale’s new division?

Acrisure London Wholesale (ALW) has launched a new specialist Aviation Division to place complex aviation risks through Lloyd’s of London and other London company markets.

Who is leading the new Aviation Division?

Jonny Rowling has been appointed as Senior Vice President and Head of Aviation. He brings over 15 years of experience, having previously held senior roles at Marsh and Lockton.

Why are aviation insurance premiums rising in 2026?

According to industry reports from WTW and Gallagher Specialty, premiums are rising due to consecutive loss-making years, major aircraft incidents in 2025, and a roughly 39% surge in maintenance and repair (MRO) costs over the past three years.

Sources:

• Acrisure Official Press Release