Ardonagh to rebrand Geo as part of global MGA push under new chief executive

Ardonagh is adopting the Orvia Underwriting brand across its suite of MGA businesses and has appointed ex-Acrisure leader Mark McIlquham to help lead the operation.

Launched in January 2026, Orvia creates a single platform to combine a number of Ardonagh-owned MGAs across the London and European markets.

The first stage of the evolution will see the group’s pan-European, UK and specialty MGAs come together under the Orvia brand and leadership of Mark McIlquham as chief executive.

McIlquham joins from Acrisure where he led the firm’s entry into the UK retail market, building out a platform spanning retail broking, MGAs and intermediary network operations.

He will work alongside Ardonagh operating partner Chris Lay, who joined in April this year to work on group strategy and support the next phase of growth.

McIlquham said: ”Knowing the team well and having watched the business grow and mature over the last 10 years, joining Ardonagh as it launches the next chapter of Orvia seemed like the most natural thing in the world.

”With over 95 acquisitions completed last year and transformational talent joining every week across the group, there are many untapped opportunities to bring new and existing MGA propositions to our chosen markets.”

Rebrand plans

Following a transition period in 2027, UK-based Geo Underwriting will become Orvia UK. Orvia will then extend across the group’s underwriting portfolio globally.

Envest Agencies, the parent holding company of 14 specialist intermediated and direct MGAs, will rebrand as Orvia Australia and New Zealand, led by newly appointed chief executive Belinda Steedman.

Dubai-based Antarah, an authorised Lloyd’s of London coverholder, MGA and reinsurance intermediary with a focus on the Middle East and African territories led by chief executive Antonio El Hokayem, will transition to Orvia Middle East and Africa.

Ardonagh group chief executive David Ross said: “This is a significant moment for us at Ardonagh as we begin to pivot from a regional operating model to a global product led operating one, helping clients and markets understand our true reach and enabling us to drive better outcomes for our customers.

“Revealing the scale of our MGA operations worldwide will be the first of a series of changes we will be making as we lean into a different marketplace, one where we can bring our data and placement power into full view of the industry.”