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France has licensed its fifth captive of 2026, adding reinsurance entity Florence Re at the end of last month.

Howden said the launch broadens its EB proposition for Swedish corporate clients and enhances its global employee benefits and pensions advisory practice.

A further 11 applications are currently under review.

Strategic Risk Solutions has appointed Chris Terry as managing director, head of alternative risk transfer (ART) and risk strategy. He will join the firm on 19 April, 2027.

Several near-term priorities were identified, including the development of a coordinated industry proposition promoting Ireland’s captive expertise and the need for greater clarity around improved authorisation timelines. 

As traditional insurers grapple with the scale, concentration and complexity of these risks, captives could provide an additional tool for data centre operators looking to retain and finance exposures that are becoming harder to place in the commercial market. 

Ian Podmore has joined KeyState as vice president, captive solutions, bringing more than 40 years of experience across insurance, captive consulting, underwriting and compliance.

Apex covers general liability exposures in North America, including coverages for professional liability, physical and sexual misconduct, and personal and advertising injury, for its parent, Bright Horizons and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies.