Acrisure London Wholesale (ALW), the London-based wholesale arm of Acrisure, has launched a specialist aviation insurance division, appointing Jonny Rowling (pictured above) as senior vice president and head of aviation effective March 16.
Rowling, who reports to ALW managing director Tom Quy, joins from Marsh where he served as co-head of general aviation and placement leader. He previously spent seven years at Lockton and brings more than 15 years of experience in the sector.
The division is the latest addition to ALW's wholesale platform, which already houses specialist teams across cyber, marine, property, professional lines, and construction. The construction team launched in February with Tom Hester, also a Lockton hire, at its helm.
"There is significant potential to deliver innovative solutions to clients across the aviation sector," Rowling said. "I look forward to working closely with the team to build a strong and differentiated offering."
Quy described aviation as a globally connected market and said Rowling's expertise would help the firm develop its proposition for clients and trading partners. "As we continue to expand our platform, attracting talented leaders like Jonny is central to our long-term growth strategy," he said.
The launch comes as the aviation insurance market navigates a period of shifting dynamics. Gallagher Specialty's Plane Talking report, published in January, found that 2025 renewals marked a turning point for airline all-risks, with insurers pushing for price increases after consecutive loss-making years.
The report noted that rising maintenance and repair costs, driven by material shortages and exclusive OEM servicing of modern engines, had pushed repair costs up by roughly 39% over three years.
A WTW landscape report, also published in January, estimated that insurers would target increases starting around 10% for clean risks heading into 2026, with higher adjustments for distressed accounts.
The report flagged cybersecurity, geopolitical volatility, and the emergence of drones and autonomous systems as key exposures shaping insurer appetite.
General aviation tells a different story. Gallagher Specialty found that softening rates were expected to persist into 2026, with significant overcapacity remaining in the segment despite insurers viewing current pricing as insufficient.
The new division is intended to complement Acrisure Aerospace, the firm's US-based retail broking operation formed in February 2024 by consolidating several partner agencies including Halton Hall & Associates and Falcon Insurance Agency.
Acrisure Aerospace describes itself as one of the largest brokers of non-airline aviation insurance risks in the US, serving direct clients from light aircraft owners to commercial fleets.
ALW's aviation division will operate on the London wholesale side, placing business through Lloyd's and London company markets on behalf of other brokers and intermediaries. Jason Riley, managing director of Acrisure Aerospace, said Rowling's appointment connects the two operations and expands the firm's capabilities globally.
Acrisure, which reported $4 billion in gross revenue in 2024, raised $2.1 billion in a funding round led by Bain Capital in May 2025 at a valuation of $32 billion. The firm employs more than 19,000 staff across 23 countries.
