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AdA SPA 2024
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended
Contents
3
Directors and Administration
.................................................................................................
4
Report of the Active Underwriter
...........................................................................................
6
Managing Agent’s report
.......................................................................................................
8
Statement of Managing Agent’s responsibilities
..................................................................
18
Independent auditor’s report to the members of 2024
.........................................................
19
Statement of profit or loss
...................................................................................................
24
Balance sheet – Assets
.......................................................................................................
26
Balance sheet (cont’d) – Liabilities
......................................................................................
27
Statement of changes in members’ balances
......................................................................
28
Statement of cash flows
......................................................................................................
29
Notes to the financial statements –
(forming part of the financial statements)
....................
30
Directors and Administration
4
Managing Agent
Syndicate). PMA is a wholly owned subsidiary (indirectly held) of Aviva plc (Aviva)
Directors
Directors who served at PMA during the year or up until the date the Annual Report and Accounts
were signed are as follows:
N C Bacon – Managing Director
M J Bale – Chief Operations Officer
A M Bathia - Chief Executive Officer
D P Brignell - Chief Risk Officer
(resigned 9 July 2024)
S P Burns – Independent Non-Executive Chairman
(resigned 31 December 2024)
A L Dodson – Chief Underwriting Officer
M E L Goddard - Independent Non-Executive Director and Interim Chair
J-L R Gourgeon - Non-Executive Director
(resigned 9 July 2024)
D G Marock- Non-Executive Director (
appointed 1 January 2025)
B Matthews – Chief Financial Officer
S F Pond- Non-Executive Director (
appointed 17 September 2024)
M S D Washington
-
Non-Executive Director
(appointed 7
October 2024)
N O R Pieries - Non-Executive Director
(resigned 9 July 2024)
H J Weaver - Independent Non-Executive Director
Company secretary
F Jaiyeola
Managing agent’s registered office
88 Leadenhall Street
London
England
United Kingdom
EC3A 3BP
Managing agent’s registered number
12242600
Directors and Administration
5
Active underwriter
James Grainger
Statutory auditor
Ernst & Young LLP (25 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5EY)
Statement of actuarial opinion signing actuary
Deloitte LLP
Report of the Active Underwriter
6
Active Underwriter’s Report
The AdA Special Purpose Arrangement (SPA) Syndicate 2024 (“the Syndicate”) was given Lloyd’s
approval to commence underwriting for the 2024 year of account. The business is written by way of a
75% quota share (QS) of the AdA Underwriting Classes written by Syndicate 1492.
The quota share contract operates on a funds withheld basis so therefore transactions remain within
1492 until closure of the year.
The AdA Underwriting Classes are upstream and midstream energy, marine and energy liability, ports
and terminals physical damage and cargo with staff being seconded to Probitas Managing Agency by
AdA Underwriters Limited. The Stamp capacity for the Syndicate was £39m and we look forward to a
long-term partnership with all our capital providers. The focus for 2024 was to onboard market leading
underwriters, who are fundamental to building out the portfolio.
The 2024 Calendar year result
The result for the year is a loss of $3.5m with a net incurred loss ratio of 92.5% and a combined ratio
of 133.1%.
This unsurprising result reflects the first year of underwriting for the Syndicate with slower earnings of
written premiums in the calendar year relative to the net operating expenses. Furthermore, allowances
have been made for the potential Dali loss on the International Group however it is pleasing to note the
2024 full underwriting year is forecast to settle with a combined ratio below 90%.
2024 Market Conditions
The rating environment for 2024 was varied across the classes with the Upstream Energy Account
experiencing pressure on rating due to the influx of new capacity and the relatively good performance
of this portfolio over the last few years. The Marine and Energy Liability Account continued to see double
digit rate increases.
Although 2024 had a record-breaking Atlantic Hurricane season and the second costliest on record, the
upstream energy account experienced minimal losses due to the larger storms missing the oil patch
and instead hitting Florida.
Report of the Active Underwriter (continued)
7
Underwriting Strategy
The strategy for the Syndicate is to be an underwriting led business driven to deliver a profitable return
across the cycle by flexing appetite with the price adequacy of the market with no pressure to deliver
top line growth. Our core portfolio is made up of Upstream Energy, Marine and Energy Liability, Ports
and Terminals Physical Damage and Cargo, where we deliver underwriting and claims leadership for
our clients. We continue to focus on the carbon efficiency of our client base and have now developed a
baseline of data for our Energy Account which we can build on the future.
To write the energy portfolio, we manage and deploy a Consortium made up of like-minded Syndicates
who are looking to support energy companies with a low carbon future.
We believe in long standing relationships and would like to thank all our consortium partners, reinsurers
and capital providers for joining us on this journey. We would also like to thank Probitas Managing
Agency for hosting us and all the support they have given since the team came together in May 2023.
2025 Account
The Syndicate’s approved gross written premium and stamp capacity is £52m (2024: £39m) with the
main growth planned from our existing classes of business.
With the market softening, risk selection
and price adequacy will be even more important as we work to deliver bottom line profit.
As we look forward to the new underwriting year, we know we face a challenging market but with the
depth of experience we have within the AdA Team, we have the ability to navigate and continue to build
on our solid foundations.
James Grainger
Active Underwriter
SPA Syndicate 2024
07 March 2025
Managing Agent’s report
8
The Directors of Probitas Managing Agency Limited (‘PMA’), the managing agent, present their report for
Syndicate 2024 (‘the Syndicate’) for the year ended 31 December 2024. This report includes the strategic
report.
Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Insurance Accounts Directive
(Lloyd’s Syndicate and Aggregate Accounts) Regulations 2008, applicable Accounting Standards in the
United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102),
Financial Reporting Standard 103 (FRS 103) in relation to insurance contracts, and the Lloyd’s Syndicate
Accounts Instructions Version V2.0 as modified by the Frequently Asked Questions Version V1.1 issued
by Lloyd’s.
The Syndicate
The Syndicate was established for the 2024 year of account as a Special Purpose Arrangement. The
principal activity is
to underwrite Marine, Energy and Specialty insurance and facultative reinsurance
business. The Syndicate is backed by a mix of corporate and individual private Names.
The Managing Agent
Probitas Managing Agency Limited
has been the managing agent of the Syndicate
since
1 January
2024.
Geo-political Climate
We recognise the hardship and challenges created by the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and
Ukraine. The Syndicate has minimal live exposure in these regions and what limited cover it has, excludes
coverage for war and terrorism. The exposure is not anticipated to broaden in 2025 even as the Syndicate
to start writing a stand alone Political Violence portfolio.
Managing Agent’s report (continued)
9
Results
The amounts disclosed for UK GAAP reporting purposes represent the 2024 calendar year earned
movements. The result for the Syndicate for the year ended 31 December 2024 is a loss of $3.53m:
2024
$000
Earned premium, net of reinsurance
10,891
Claims incurred net of reinsurance
(10,078)
Net technical result
812
Net acquisition costs
(272)
Administrative expenses excluding personal expenses
(3,050)
Syndicate operating expenses excluding personal expenses
(3,322)
Investment return
67
Foreign exchange loss
(6)
Result before personal expenses
(2,448)
Personal expenses including profit commission
(1,084)
Total
(3,533)
The Syndicate’s financial key performance indicators during the period were as follows:
2024
$000
Gross premiums written
28,278
Gross premiums earned
10,891
Net premiums earned
10,891
Net claims incurred
(10,078)
Technical result
(3,600)
Loss for the financial year
(3,533)
Net Combined Operating Ratio
2024
%
Net Loss Ratio
92.5%
Net Commission Ratio
2.5%
Net Expense Ratio
38.0%
NCOR (Excluding FX)
133.0%
Foreign Exchange
0.1%
NCOR (Including FX)
133.1%
Managing Agent’s report (continued)
10
The net combined ratio (NCOR) is the ratio of claims incurred (net of reinsurance), acquisition costs,
and operating expenses (net of reinsurance) to earned premiums (net of reinsurance).
2024 Underwriting Year Update
Syndicate 2024 has a gross written premium of $28.28m, which is a small reduction from the planned
income due to the start-up nature of some of the classes of business and the careful risk selection in this
initial year. However, the upstream energy account has been written by Syndicate 1492 since May 2023
and therefore benefited from having a renewal portfolio. The retention rate is over 90% and acquisition
costs have reduced from 12.7% to 11.2%,with the risk adjusted rate change net of inflation at -0.1%.
The earned premium being only 38% of the gross written premium means that there is a relatively high
expense ratio compared to the volume of business earned.
We will continue to build on the foundations of the Syndicate in 2025 focusing on careful risk selection
with the objective of
developing a profitable portfolio which will form the core of the Syndicate.
Strategic Update
Our key priorities for 2025 are to continue to build out the existing classes of business with careful risk
selection as the market continues to soften. We will also look to build out new classes of business in niche
areas which enhance our product offering. Furthermore, we will continue to build out the team not only in
terms of Underwriters and Claims Leaders but also in the technical support functions.
Investment Performance Review
The Syndicate receives a cession of investment income through the SPA Quota Share from Syndicate
1492. This income relates to that generated on the AdA portfolio in Syndicate 1492. Due to 2024 being
the first year or trading, no substantial fund balances have yet built up and so the overall return is
negligible. The investments relating to the AdA portfolio are managed in line with the policies and risk
appetites of the overall Syndicate 1492 portfolio.
Investment Outlook
In the short term, as the AdA portfolio grows, it remains unlikely that investment returns will make a
significant contribution to the Syndicate’s performance. However, in the longer term, once the portfolio is
fully established with well-developed reserves and assets to match, investments are more likely to make
a significant contribution to performance.
Managing Agent’s report (continued)
11
Principal Activities
The principal activity of the Syndicate is to underwrite Marine, Energy and Specialty insurance and
facultative reinsurance business.
The following table provides a breakdown of gross written premium by class of business.
Gross Written Premium
2024
2024
$000
%
Cargo
155
0.5
Marine Liability
12,486
44.2
Ports & Terminals
1,105
3.9
Energy GOM wind
853
3.0
Energy excluding GOM wind
13,681
48.4
Total
28,680
100
Principal
Risks
and
Uncertainties
The major risks and uncertainties that the Syndicate faces manifest via the originating AdA account in
Syndicate 1492. These are presented below.
The PMA Board sets the risk appetite for each of these via
risk appetite statements, adherence to which is closely monitored.
INSURANCE RISK
:
Insurance risk can be viewed as comprising three main elements: underwriting, claims and reserving.
Each of these can be defined as:
Underwriting risk:
An underwriting risk includes the risk that an insurance policy might be written for insufficient premium
and/or provide inappropriate cover.
The Syndicate’s underwriting models, aggregation tools and policy wordings do not themselves prevent
unplanned concentrations of risk, either in geographical regions or types of policy. Consequently, various
risk management and loss mitigation techniques have been developed to manage and reduce this risk.
Managing Agent’s report (continued)
12
The Syndicate competes against major international groups and there will be occasions when some of
these groups may choose to underwrite for cash flow or market share purposes and at prices that
sometimes fall short of the Syndicate’s minimum acceptable technical price.
In common with all insurers,
the Syndicate is exposed to this potential price volatility.
Any extended periods of low premium rating
levels and/or high levels of competition in the insurance markets are likely to have a negative impact on
the Syndicate’s ability to write business profitably and consequently its financial performance.
Therefore,
the Syndicate monitors pricing levels and is committed to rejecting any business that is unlikely to
generate a positive underwriting result over time.
Claims and reserving, gross and net of reinsurances, risk:
Insurance risk includes the risks that the frequency or severity of insured events will be higher than
expected (claims risk), or that estimates of claims subsequently prove to be insufficient (reserving risk).
The PMA Board manages these risks through the approved business plan, which sets out targets for
volumes, pricing, line sizes and retention by class of business. The PMA Board then monitors
performance against the business plan throughout the year. Reserve adequacy is monitored through
quarterly review by the Syndicate actuary, the Reserving Committee and the Audit Committee. It is also
reviewed by an independent firm of actuaries (Deloitte) as part of their work in providing the Syndicate’s
Statement of Actuarial Opinion (SAO).
OPERATIONAL RISK:
Operational Risk is the risk that errors caused by people, processes and/or systems might lead to financial
losses to the Syndicate. PMA manages this risk by reference to and use of a risk register, including a
regular review process with those executives who have authority and responsibility for identifying,
assessing and controlling operational risks effectively.
PMA has developed and implemented a risk reporting and risk governance system to ensure that effective
risk management of operational risk is embedded.
Management receives regular operational risk
updates, and the Risk Committee reviews the operational risk dashboard at least on a quarterly basis.
PMA has entered into a number of outsourcing arrangements, the performance of which are overseen by
the Outsource Working Group with critical or important outsourcing arrangements being a matter reserved
for the PMA Board.
It is critical for the Syndicate that the key resources required to support its underwriting and other essential
business activities continue to be available.
Contingency plans are in place to mitigate against any loss
of key resources from disrupting the ongoing operations of the Syndicate.
PMA has been actively evaluating Operational Resilience of Important Business Services in line with UK
regulatory requirements for the market.
Managing Agent’s report (continued)
13
MARKET RISK (Including Interest Rate And Currency):
This is the risk of financial loss which arises from any fluctuations in market factors, including:
1.
The value of investment holdings themselves.
2.
Movements in interest rates.
3.
Movements in foreign exchange rates.
As the Syndicate develops, its exposure is likely to increase in respect of each of the above.
PMA will
seek to mitigate any such exposure and therefore reduce any associated risk by reviewing investment
performance on a regular basis and seeking to reduce as far as is practicable any currency assets /
liabilities mismatches which arise. The Syndicate mitigates foreign exchange risks through the use of
currency hedging particularly with respect to the regulatory requirements for Canadian Trust Fund assets.
CREDIT RISK:
This is the risk of financial loss if another party fails to honour its financial obligations, including failing to
meet them in a timely manner. Credit risk can arise from the failure to receive inwards premium and the
failure to collect outwards reinsurance claims recoveries. Syndicate premium receivable balances are
reported on an ongoing basis to enable the PMA Executive committee to assess their recoverability. Bad
debts are provided for only where information is available to suggest that that a debtor may be unable or
unwilling to settle its debt to the Syndicate, such as insolvency or balances more than 365 days overdue.
The Syndicate benefits from the reinsurance purchased by s 1492,
to contain exposure from single claims
and the aggregation of claims from catastrophic events.
If a reinsurer fails to pay a claim for any reason,
the Syndicate remains liable for the payment to the policyholder. The creditworthiness of reinsurers is
therefore regularly reviewed throughout the year. The Syndicate currently has no actual or direct
experience of bad debt losses arising from its reinsurance arrangements. The Syndicate makes use of
PMA’s Broker and other intermediary vetting process & its own Reinsurance Security policy.
Other areas of exposure to credit risk include:
1.
Amounts due from insurance intermediaries;
2.
Counterparty risk due to currency hedging arrangements; and,
3.
Counterparty risk with respect to investments and other deposits.
PMA seeks to actively manage and reduce the Syndicate’s exposure to this risk by introducing limits on
its exposure to either a single counterparty, or groups of counterparties, and to geographical and industry
segments wherever practicable or considered appropriate.
Such limits will be subject to an annual or
more frequent review as appropriate.
It is considered that the current levels of concentration of credit risk
Managing Agent’s report (continued)
14
are acceptable given the Syndicate’s short period of operation.
This area of risk will continue to be
monitored closely.
LIQUIDITY RISK:
Liquidity risk arises where cash may not be available to enable the Syndicate to pay its obligations as
they fall due and at a reasonable cost.
The originating AdA account in Syndicate 1492 is exposed to daily
cash demands on its available cash resources, including the settlement of claims, the payment of
reinsurance premiums and also various operating and Names’ personal expenses.
PMA’s core
investment strategy principles are the preservation of capital and the maintenance of high liquidity. Were
a liquidity risk to crystalise, the SPA quota share includes a cash-call facility, that would necessitate the
Syndicate settling a loss to Syndicate 1492. This itself would need to be funded by a cash-call on
members.
REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE RISK:
This is the risk of a financial loss owing to a breach of regulatory requirements and/or a failure to respond
to a regulatory change.
Management receives frequent regulatory and compliance risk updates and the
Risk Committee reviews and monitors these risks on a quarterly basis.
The Syndicate is required to comply with the requirements of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA),
Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Lloyd’s.
Lloyd’s requirements include those imposed on the
Lloyd’s market by overseas regulators, particularly in respect of US and Canadian Situs business.
Reinsurance
The Syndicate assumes a net account from Syndicate 1492 receiving the full benefit of a third-party
reinsurance programme. As such, the Syndicate does not purchase any reinsurance.
Rating
Agencies
All Lloyd's syndicates benefit from Lloyd's central resources, including the Lloyd's brand, its network of
global licences and the Central Fund. The Central Fund is available at the discretion of the Council of
Lloyd's to meet any valid claim that cannot be met by the resources of any member. As all Lloyd's policies
are ultimately backed by this common security, a single market rating is applicable to all syndicates post-
1992.
Syndicate 2024 does not have its own security rating; however, it does benefit from the Lloyd’s single
market ratings as follows:
AA- (Very Strong) rating from Standard and Poor’s; AA- (Very Strong) from
Fitch; A+ (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best and AA- (Strong) from Kroll Bond rating agency.
Managing Agent’s report (continued)
15
Syndicate
Working
Capital
The SPA QS assumed from Syndicate 1492 is on a funds withheld basis. As such, the Syndicate does
not have any working capital.
Directors
Directors who served at PMA until the date on which the Report & Annual Accounts were signed were as
follows:
N C Bacon – Managing Director
M J Bale – Chief Operations Officer
A M Bathia - Chief Executive Officer
D P Brignell - Chief Risk Officer
(resigned 9 July 2024)
S P Burns – Independent Non-Executive Chairman
(resigned 31 December 2024)
A L Dodson – Chief Underwriting Officer
M E L Goddard - Independent Non-Executive Director and Interim Chair
J-L R Gourgeon - Non-Executive Director
(resigned 9 July 2024)
D G Marock- Non-Executive Director (
appointed 1 January 2025)
B Matthews – Chief Financial Officer
S F Pond- Non-Executive Director (
appointed 17 September 2024)
M S D Washington
-
Non-Executive Director
(appointed 7
October 2024)
N O R Pieries - Non-Executive Director
(resigned 9 July 2024)
H J Weaver - Independent Non-Executive Director
Environment
,
Social & Governance (ESG)
ESG considerations manifest via the originating AdA account in Syndicate 1492. These are presented
below, as viewed from a Syndicate 1492 perspective.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters continue to represent a key emerging risk that is
driving change in the insurance markets that Probitas Syndicate 1492 operates in, as well as Probitas
own corporate strategy.
The impact of climate change is becoming more apparent directly in the risks and claims that the business
takes on and is exposed to. This in turn impacts the results of catastrophe and capital modelling and
exposure monitoring, consequently influencing the price and availability of outwards reinsurance which
ultimately makes the business model viable. It is therefore of paramount importance that the business
continues to monitor and manage these exposures appropriately and effectively.
Changes in the legal and regulatory environment relating to corporate social responsibility and corporate
governance agendas represent further systemic threats. The business recognises the importance of
staying abreast of the latest developments in managing its exposure to the changing landscape of its
financial risks with respect to matters relating to poor corporate behaviours in these areas.
Managing Agent’s report (continued)
16
The consideration of ESG risks are an important part of the underwriting process of every risk that
Probitas underwrites both in terms of risk pricing, and risk acceptance.
Alongside the direct relevance to insurance carriers of the changing nature of the insurance exposure to
climate and other ESG risks, the business recognises the need to establish its position on climate
transition in relation to its own operations in order to move towards Task Force on Climate-related
Environment
,
Social & Governance (ESG) (Continued)
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting created by the Financial Stability Board. This will drive change
within the organisation to meet agreed targets relating to managing that transition. Of particular relevance
is the management of the investment portfolio, where opportunities for diversification are likely to
decrease.
Reputational risk, particularly around environmental and social issues, is becoming an important
consideration in the underwriting of certain risks. PMA has seen evidence of market dislocations as
companies move to protect ESG strategies by refusing to offer terms on certain risks, or portfolios.
PMA’s ESG policy
enables PMA to manage its position in relation to ESG risks and the development of
improved portfolio reporting around ESG related matters. This policy aims to ensure that the Company
carries out its business:
•
In a socially responsible manner;
•
With due regard to its impact on the environment; and,
•
In a manner that is consistent with the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the Modern Slavery Act
2015.
In so doing, we ensure that our business makes a positive contribution to society at large.
Syndicate Annual General Meeting
PMA does not propose to hold an annual general meeting of members of the Syndicate. Members are
asked to note that any objections to this proposal should be submitted, in writing, to the PMA Compliance
Officer within 21 days of this notice
Related Party Transactions
The Syndicate did not enter into any related party transactions which were not concluded under normal
market conditions.
For a full listing of related party transactions please refer to note 16 of the accounts.
Managing Agent’s report (continued)
17
Disclosure of Information to the Auditor
The Directors of the managing agent who held office at the date of approval of this managing agent’s
report confirm that, so far as they are each aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the
Syndicate’s auditor is unaware; and each director has taken all the steps that they ought to have taken
as a director to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the
Syndicate’s auditor is aware of that information.
Auditor
Ernst & Young LLP has been appointed for the first time as auditor, agreed by the board on 31
November 2024, for financial periods incepting on or after January 2024. Ernst & Young LLP has
signified its willingness to continue in office as the independent auditor to the Syndicate and it is the
Managing Agent’s intention to reappoint Ernst & Young LLP for a further year.
Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance
The Company has maintained insurance to cover directors’ and officers’ liability during the period and up
to the date of these financial statements as defined by section 236 of the Company Act 2006.
Going concern
Having considered the risks and uncertainties, and the performance of the Syndicate, the Managing Agent
has a reasonable expectation that the Syndicate will continue to write business for the foreseeable future,
and the 2025 YOA is now open. Moreover, the Managing Agent expects that continued capital support
will be in place to do so. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on the going concern
basis.
Approved by the Board of Directors.
Ash Bathia
Chief Executive Officer
07 March 2025
Statement of Managing Agent’s responsibilities
18
The Managing Agent and its Directors are responsible for preparing the Syndicate annual report and
financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The Insurance Accounts Directive (Lloyd’s Syndicate and Aggregate Accounts) Regulations 2008 (‘the
2008 Regulations’) require the managing agent to prepare Syndicate annual accounts for each financial
year. Under that law the managing agent has elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance
with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards
and applicable law). The Syndicate annual accounts are required by law to give a true and fair view of
the state of affairs of the Syndicate as at that date and of its profit or loss for that year.
In preparing those Syndicate annual accounts, the managing agent is required to:
1.
Select suitable accounting policies which are applied consistently, subject to changes arising
on the adoption of new accounting standards in the year,
2.
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent,
3.
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and
4.
prepare the annual accounts on the basis that the Syndicate will continue to write future
business unless it is inappropriate to presume the Syndicate will do so.
5.
ensure the preparation and review of the iXBRL tagging that has been applied to the Syndicate
Accounts in accordance with the instructions issued by Lloyd’s, including designing,
implementing and maintaining systems, processes and internal controls to result in tagging that
is free from material non-compliance with the instructions issued by Lloyd’s, whether due to
fraud or error.
The managing agent is responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Syndicate and enable it to ensure that the
Syndicate annual accounts comply with the 2008 Regulations.
It is also responsible for safeguarding
the assets of the Syndicate and hence for taking reasonable steps for prevention and detection of fraud
and other irregularities.
Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ
from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Independent auditor’s report to the members of
Syndicate 2024
19
Opinion
We have audited the syndicate annual accounts of syndicate 2024 (‘the syndicate’) for the year ended
31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of profit or loss, Balance sheet, Statement of
changes in members’ balances, the Statement of Cash flows and the related notes 1 to 19, including a
summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in
their preparation is applicable law including The Insurance Accounts Directive (Lloyd’s Syndicate and
Aggregate Accounts) Regulations 2008, United Kingdom Accounting Standards including FRS 102
“The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” and FRS 103
“Insurance Contracts” (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), and Section 1 of the
Lloyd’s Syndicate Accounts Instructions V2.0 as modified by the Frequently Asked Questions Version
1.1 issued by Lloyd’s (the Syndicate Accounts Instructions).
In our opinion, the syndicate annual accounts:
give a true and fair view of the syndicate’s affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of its loss for
the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of The Insurance Accounts Directive
(Lloyd’s Syndicate and Aggregate Accounts) Regulations 2008 and the Syndicate Accounts
Instructions.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)), The
Insurance Accounts Directive (Lloyd’s Syndicate and Aggregate Accounts) Regulations 2008, the
Syndicate Accounts Instructions, and other applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards
are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the syndicate annual accounts
section of our report. We are independent of the syndicate in accordance with the ethical requirements
that are relevant to our audit of the syndicate annual accounts in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical
Standard as applied to other entities of public interest, and we have fulfilled our other ethical
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for
our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the syndicate annual accounts, we have concluded that the managing agent’s use of the
going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the syndicate annual accounts is appropriate.
Independent auditor’s report to the members of
Syndicate 2024 (continued)
20
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to
events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the syndicate’s ability
to continue as a going concern for a period of 12 months from when the syndicate annual accounts are
authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the managing agent with respect to going concern are
described in the relevant sections of this report. However, because not all future events or conditions
can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the syndicate’s ability to continue as a going
concern.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the syndicate
annual accounts and our auditor’s report thereon. The directors of the managing agent are responsible
for the other information contained within the annual report.
Our opinion on the syndicate annual accounts does not cover the other information and, except to the
extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion
thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other
information is materially inconsistent with the syndicate annual accounts or our knowledge obtained in
the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material
inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives
rise to a material misstatement in the syndicate annual accounts themselves. If, based on the work we
have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of the other information, we are
required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by The Insurance Accounts Directive (Lloyd’s Syndicate
and Aggregate Accounts) Regulations 2008
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
the information given in the managing agent’s report for the financial year in which the syndicate
annual accounts are prepared is consistent with the syndicate annual accounts; and
the managing agent’s report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal
requirements.
Independent auditor’s report to the members of
Syndicate 2024 (continued)
21
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the syndicate and its environment obtained in the
course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the managing agent’s report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where The Insurance Accounts Directive
(Lloyd’s Syndicate and Aggregate Accounts) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you, if in our
opinion:
the managing agent in respect of the syndicate has not kept adequate accounting records; or
the syndicate annual accounts are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
certain disclosures of the managing agents’ emoluments specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of the managing agent
As explained more fully in the Statement of Managing Agent’s Responsibilities set out on page 18, the
managing agent is responsible for the preparation of the syndicate annual accounts and for being
satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the managing agent
determines is necessary to enable the preparation of the syndicate annual accounts that are free from
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the syndicate annual accounts, the managing agent is responsible for assessing the
syndicate’s ability to continue in operation, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to its ability to
continue in operation and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the managing agent either
intends to cease to operate the syndicate, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the syndicate annual accounts
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the syndicate annual accounts as a
whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s
report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a
guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material
if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic
decisions of users taken on the basis of these syndicate annual accounts.
Independent auditor’s report to the members of
Syndicate 2024 (continued)
22
Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities,
including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design
procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect irregularities, including fraud. The
risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one
resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional
misrepresentations, or through collusion.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed
below. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both
those charged with governance of the managing agent and management.
Our approach was as follows:
We obtained a general understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable
to the syndicate and determined that the most significant are direct laws and regulations related
to elements of Lloyd’s Byelaws and Regulations, and the financial reporting framework (UK
GAAP), and requirements referred to by Lloyd’s in the Syndicate Accounts instructions. Our
considerations of other laws and regulations that may have a material effect on the syndicate
annual accounts included permissions and supervisory requirements of Lloyd’s of London, the
Prudential Regulation Authority (‘PRA’) and the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’).
We obtained a general understanding of how the syndicate is complying with those frameworks
by making enquiries of management, internal audit, and those responsible for legal and
compliance matters of the syndicate. In assessing the effectiveness of the control environment,
we also reviewed significant correspondence between the syndicate, Lloyd’s of London and
other UK regulatory bodies; reviewed minutes of the Board and Audit Committee of the
managing agent; and gained an understanding of the managing agent’s approach to
governance.
For direct laws and regulations, we considered the extent of compliance with those laws and
regulations as part of our procedures on the related syndicate annual accounts’ items.
For both direct and other laws and regulations, our procedures involved: making enquiries of
the directors of the managing agent and senior management for their awareness of any non-
compliance of laws or regulations, enquiring about the policies that have been established to
prevent non-compliance with laws and regulations by officers and employees, enquiring about
the managing agent’s methods of enforcing and monitoring compliance with such policies, and
inspecting significant correspondence with Lloyd’s, the FCA and the PRA.
The syndicate operates in the insurance industry which is a highly regulated environment. As
such the Senior Statutory Auditor considered the experience and expertise of the engagement
team to ensure that the team had the appropriate competence and capabilities, which included
the use of specialists where appropriate.
Independent auditor’s report to the members of
Syndicate 2024 (continued)
23
We assessed the susceptibility of the syndicate’s annual accounts to material misstatement,
including how fraud might occur by considering the controls that the managing agent has
established to address risks identified by the managing agent, or that otherwise seek to prevent,
deter or detect fraud. We also considered areas of significant judgement, complex transactions,
performance targets, economic or external pressures and the impact these have on the control
environment. Where this risk was considered to be higher, we performed audit procedures to
address each identified fraud risk. These procedures included testing manual journals and were
designed to provide reasonable assurance that the syndicate accounts were free from fraud
and error.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the
Financial Reporting Council’s website at https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description
forms part of our auditor’s report.
Other matter
Our opinion on the syndicate annual accounts does not cover the iXBRL tagging included within these
syndicate annual accounts, and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the syndicate’s members, as a body, in accordance with The Insurance
Accounts Directive (Lloyd’s Syndicate and Aggregate Accounts) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has
been undertaken so that we might state to the syndicate’s members those matters we are required to
state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we
do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the syndicate and the syndicate’s members
as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Heidi Burton (Senior statutory auditor)
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor
London
07 March 2025
Statement of profit or loss:
24
Technical account – General business
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Note
2024
$000
2023
$000
Gross premiums written
6
Outwards reinsurance premiums
Premiums written, net of reinsurance
Changes in
unearned premium
1
4
Change in the gross provision for unearned premiums
(17,388 )
Net change in provisions
for
unearned premiums
(17,388 )
Earned premiums, net of reinsurance
Allocated investment return transferred from the non-technical
account
10
Change in the provision for claims
1
4
Gross amount
(10,078 )
Net change in provisions for claims
(10,078 )
Claims incurred, net of reinsurance
(10,078 )
Net operating expenses
7
(4,407 )
Balance on the
technical account
–
general business
(3,527 )
Statement of profit or loss:
25
Non-technical account – General business
For the year ended 31 December 2024
All operations relate to continuing activities. There is no other comprehensive income.
The accompanying notes from page 29 to 46 form an integral part of these financial statements.
Note
2024
$000
2023
$000
Balance on the technical account
–
general business
(3,527 )
Investment income
1
0
Total investment return
Allocated investment return transferred to the general business
technical account
(67 )
Loss on foreign exchange
(6 )
Loss
for the financial year
(3,533 )
Total comprehensive
loss
for the year
(3,533 )
Balance sheet – Assets
26
As at 31 December 2024
Note
2024
$000
2023
$000
Debtors arising out of direct insurance operations
Debtors arising out of reinsurance operations
1
1
Other debtors
Debtors
Accrued interest and rent
Deferred acquisition costs
1
2
Other prepayments and accrued income
Prepayments and accrued income
Total assets
Balance sheet – Liabilities
27
As at 31 December 2024
Note
2024
$000
2023
$000
Members’ balances
(3,533 )
Total
c
apital and reserves
(3,533 )
Provision for unearned premiums
Claims outstanding
Technical provisions
1
4
Other creditors including taxation and social security
1
5
Creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Total
liabilities
Total liabilities,
c
apital and reserves
These Syndicate financial statements on page 24 to 47 were approved by the board of Probitas
Managing Agency Limited on 05 March 2025 and were signed on its behalf by;
Ash Bathia
Chief Executive Officer
07 March 2025
Statement of changes in members’ balances
28
For the year ended 31 December 2024
2024
$000
2023
$000
Members’ balances brought forward at 1 January
Total comprehensive loss for the year
(3,533 )
Members’ balances carried forward at 31 December
(3,533 )
Statement of cash flows
29
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Note
2024
$000
2023
$000
Cash flows from operating activities
(Loss) for the financial year
(3,533 )
Adjustments:
Increase in gross technical provisions
(Increase)/decrease in reinsurers’ share of gross
technical provisions
(Increase) in debtors
(27,516 )
Increase in creditors
Increase/(decrease) in deposits received from reinsurers
Movement in other assets/liabilities
(433 )
Investment return
Foreign exchange
Other
Net cash flows from financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
Notes to the financial statements –
(forming part of the financial statements)
30
1. Statement of Compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in
accordance
with
the
Insurance
Accounts
Directive (Lloyd’s Syndicate and Aggregate
Accounts)
Regulations
2008,
applicable
Accounting Standards in the United Kingdom
and the Republic of Ireland, including Financial
Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102), Financial
Reporting Standard 103 (FRS 103) in relation to
insurance contracts, and the Lloyd’s Syndicate
Accounts Instructions Version V2.0 as modified
by the Frequently Asked Questions Version
V1.1 issued by Lloyd’s. The financial statements
are
prepared
under
the
historical
cost
convention
except
for
certain
financial
instruments which are measured at fair value
through the Statement of Profit or Loss.
2. Basis of preparation
The financial statements for the year ended 31
December 2024 were authorised for issue by the
Board of Directors on 05 March 2025 and signed
07 March 2024. The address of the Syndicate’s
managing agent, Probitas Managing Agency
Limited, is 88 Leadenhall Street, London,
England, EC3A 3BP.
The financial statements are prepared in $ US
Dollar which is the functional and presentational
currency of the Syndicate and rounded to the
nearest $000.
Going concern
Having considered the risks and uncertainties,
and the performance of the Syndicate as
disclosed in the report of the directors, the
Managing Agent has a reasonable expectation
that the Syndicate will continue to write business
for the foreseeable future. Moreover, the
Managing Agent expects that continued capital
support will be in place to do so. Accordingly, the
financial statements have been prepared on the
going concern basis.
3.
Use of judgements and estimates
The preparation of the financial statements
requires management to make judgements,
estimates and assumptions that affect the
carrying value of assets and liabilities that are
not readily available from other sources. There
are only critical accounting judgements in
relation to estimates (which are dealt with
separately below), in the process of applying the
Syndicate’s accounting policies. Estimates and
underlying assumptions are regularly reviewed
and revisions to these are recognised in the
period in which the change in estimate is
recognised and all future periods affected. The
following are the Syndicate’s key sources of
estimation uncertainty, where a risk of causing
material misstatement to the carrying value of
assets and liabilities within the next financial
year may exist.
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
:
Outstanding claims
For insurance contracts, estimates are made
both for the expected ultimate cost of claims
reported and for the expected ultimate cost of
claims incurred but not reported (IBNR), at the
reporting date. It can take a significant period
before
the
ultimate
claims
cost
can
be
established with certainty.
The ultimate cost of outstanding claims is
estimated by using a range of standard actuarial
claims projection techniques, such as the Chain
Ladder
method
and
Bornhuetter-Ferguson
methods.
The main assumption underlying these standard
actuarial claims projection techniques is that
past claims development experience can be
used to project future claims development and
hence ultimate claims costs. The provision for
claims outstanding is assessed on an individual
case basis and is based on the estimated
ultimate cost of all claims notified but not settled
by the balance sheet date, together with the
provision for related claims handling costs. The
provision also includes the estimated cost of
claims IBNR at the balance sheet date based on
statistical methods.
Notes to the financial statements –
(continued)
31
The reserving uncertainty will be greatest for
liability business which is described as long-tail,
reflecting the time it takes for losses to be
identified by claimants and settled. Long-tail
classes make up approximately two thirds of the
business written.
These methods generally involve projecting
from past experience of the development of
claims over time to form a view of the likely
ultimate claims to be experienced for more
recent underwriting, having regard to variations
in the business accepted and the underlying
terms and conditions. For the most recent years,
where a high degree of volatility arises from
projections, estimates may be based in part on
output from rating and other models of the
business
accepted
and
assessments
of
underwriting conditions. Managerial judgement
is applied when setting the initial expected loss
ratio, gross claims’ development patterns and
the
proportion
of
reinsurance
recoverable
thereon.
These judgements are based on a
combination of Syndicate specific and market
benchmarks where available. The amount of
salvage
and
subrogation
recoveries
is
separately
identified
and
when
material,
reported as an asset. Further details are
provided in Note 14.
4. Significant accounting policies
The following significant accounting policies
have been applied consistently in dealing with
items which are considered material in relation
to the Syndicate’s financial statements.
A. Insurance contracts: product
classification
Insurance contracts are those contracts when
the
Syndicate
(the
insurer/reinsurer)
has
accepted significant insurance risk from another
party (the policyholder/reinsured) by agreeing to
compensate the policyholder if a specified
uncertain future event (the re/insured event)
adversely affects the policyholders. As a general
guideline, the Syndicate determines whether it
has significant insurance risk, by comparing
benefits paid with benefits payable if the insured
event did not occur. Insurance contracts can
also transfer financial risk.
Once a contract has been classified as an
insurance contract, it remains an insurance
contract for the remainder of its lifetime, even if
the insurance risk reduces significantly during
this period, unless all rights and obligations are
extinguished or expire.
B. Premiums written
Gross written premiums comprise the total
premiums receivable for the whole period of
cover provided by the contracts entered into
during the reporting period, regardless of
whether these are wholly due for payment in the
reporting period, together with any adjustments
arising in the reporting period to such premiums
receivable in respect of business written in prior
reporting periods. They are recognised on the
date on which the policy commences. Additional
or return premiums are treated as a re-
measurement of the initial premium. Gross
written premiums are stated gross of brokerage
payable and other relevant deductions.
Under some policies, written premiums are
adjusted retrospectively in the light of claims
experience or when the risk covered cannot be
assessed accurately at the commencement of
cover. When written premiums are subject to an
increase retrospectively, recognition of any
potential increase is deferred until the additional
amount can be ascertained with reasonable
certainty. When written premiums are subject to
a reduction, a re-measurement taking account of
such a reduction is made as soon as there is an
obligation to the cover-holder.
Gross written premiums in respect of insurance
contracts underwritten under facilities such as
binding authorities or lineslips are recognised on
a written declaration or bordereaux received
basis. Where material, and provided a reliable
estimate can be determined, a premium accrual
is made to account for delays in receipt of
bordereaux at quarter and year ends. Such
accruals are estimated based on information
provided by the broker, past underwriting
experience and prevailing market conditions.
Any
such
estimates
are
reviewed
for
Notes to the financial statements –
(continued)
32
subsequent actual experience and updated as
appropriate.
C. Deferred Acquisition costs
Acquisition costs can comprise costs arising
from the conclusion of insurance contracts,
including direct costs, such as intermediary
commissions and indirect costs, such as the
administrative expenses connected with the
processing of proposals and the issuing of
policies. Deferred acquisition costs are costs
arising from conclusion of insurance contracts
that are incurred during the reporting period, but
which relate to a subsequent reporting period
and which are carried forward to subsequent
reporting periods. Deferred acquisition costs are
amortised over the period in which the related
premiums are earned. The reinsurers’ share of
deferred acquisition costs is amortised in the
same
manner
as
the
underlying
asset
amortisation is recorded in the Statement of
Profit or Loss income statement. Commissions
receivable on outwards reinsurance contracts
are deferred and amortised on a straight-line
basis over the term of the expected premiums
payable.
D. Claims
Claims include all claims occurring during the
year, whether reported or not, related internal
and external claims handling costs that are
directly related to the processing and settlement
of claims and any adjustments to claims
outstanding from previous years.
Reinsurance claims are recognised when the
related gross insurance claim is recognised
according to the terms of the relevant contract.
E. Technical provisions
Technical
provisions
comprise
claims
outstanding
and
provisions
for
unearned
premiums.
Claims provisions and related reinsurance
recoveries
Claims incurred comprise claims and claims
handling expenses (both internal and external)
paid in the year and the movement in provision
for outstanding claims and settlement expenses.
The Syndicate does not discount its liability for
outstanding claims nor the reinsurance share of
outstanding claims.
Outstanding claims include an allowance for the
cost of claims incurred by the balance sheet date
but not reported until after the year end (IBNR).
The liability for outstanding claims is estimated
using the input of assessments for individual
cases reported to the Syndicate and widely
accepted actuarial techniques for the claims
incurred
but
not
reported
(IBNR).
The
techniques generally use projections, based on
past experience of the development of claims
over time, to form a view on the likely ultimate
claims to be experienced and an estimate of the
expected ultimate cost of more complex claims
that may be affected by external factors.
The reinsurers’ share of provisions for claims is
based on calculated amounts of outstanding
claims and projections for IBNR, net of
estimated irrecoverable amounts, having regard
to the reinsurance programme in place for the
class of business, the claims experience for the
year and the current security rating of the
reinsurance companies involved. A number of
statistical techniques are used to assist in
making these estimates.
F.
Provisions for unearned premiums
Unearned premiums are those proportions of
premiums written in a year that relate to periods
of risk after the reporting date. In respect of
general insurance business, written premiums
are recognised as earned over the period of the
policy on a time apportionment basis having
regard, where appropriate, to the incidence of
risk. The proportion attributable to subsequent
periods is deferred as a provision for unearned
premiums.
G. Unexpired risks provision
Provision is made for unexpired risks arising
from general insurance contracts where the
expected
value
of
claims
and
expenses
attributable to the unexpired periods of policies
in force at the balance sheet date exceeds the
Notes to the financial statements –
(continued)
33
unearned premiums provision in relation to such
policies (after the deduction of any deferred
acquisition costs). The provision for unexpired
risks is calculated by reference to classes of
business which are managed together. The
provision was 2024: $Nil.
H. Foreign currencies
The
Syndicate’s
functional
and
reporting
currency is $ US Dollar.
Transactions denominated in currencies other
than the functional currency are initially recorded
in the functional currency at the exchange rate
ruling at the date of the transactions. The
Statement of Profit or Loss
is revalued to
functional currency using year to date average
exchange rates, whilst the Balance Sheet is
converted using closing exchange rates.
I.
Financial assets and liabilities
As permitted by FRS 102, the Syndicate has
elected
to
apply
the
recognition
and
measurement provisions of IAS 39 – Financial
Instruments (as adopted for use in the EU) to
account for all of its financial instruments.
i.
Classification
The
Syndicate
classifies
its
financial
investments as either financial assets at fair
value through profit or loss or loans and
receivables or available for sale. The Syndicate
determines the classification of its financial
assets at initial recognition. Financial assets are
initially recognised at fair value plus, in the case
of instruments not at fair value through profit or
loss, directly attributable transaction costs.
The classification depends on the purpose for
which
the
investments
were
acquired
or
originated. In general, financial assets are
classified as fair value through profit or loss as
the
Syndicate’s
documented
investment
strategy is to manage financial investments
acquired on a fair value basis.
ii.
Recognition
Purchases and sales of financial assets are
recognised on the trade date, i.e. the date the
Syndicate commits to purchase or sell the asset.
Regular way purchases or sales of financial
assets require delivery of assets within the time
frame generally established by regulation or
convention in the marketplace.
iii. Measurement
Financial assets at fair value through profit or
loss has two sub-categories, namely financial
assets held for trading and those designated at
fair value through the profit or loss at inception.
All the Syndicate’s financial assets are held for
trading. These investments are initially recorded
at fair value. Subsequently to initial recognition,
these investments are re-measured at fair value
at each reporting date. Fair value adjustments
and realised gains and losses are recognised in
the income statement.
iv.
Identification and measurement of
impairment
For financial assets not held at fair value
through profit or loss, the Syndicate assesses at
each reporting date whether the financial asset
or group of financial assets is impaired. The
Syndicate first assesses whether objective
evidence of impairment exists for financial
assets. If it is determined that no objective
evidence of impairment exists for an individually
assessed financial asset, the asset is included in
a group of financial assets with similar credit risk
characteristics and that group of financial assets
is collectively assessed for impairment. Assets
that are individually assessed for impairment
and for which an impairment loss is or continues
to be recognised are not included in the
collective assessment of impairment.
If an available for sale financial asset is
impaired, an amount comprising the difference
between its cost (net of any principal repayment
and amortisation) and its current fair value, less
any impairment loss previously recognised in
the Statement of Profit or Loss, is transferred
from other comprehensive income in members’
balance to the Statement of Profit or Loss.
Impairment losses recognised in the Statement
of Profit or Loss in respect of an equity
instrument are not subsequently reversed
through the Statement of Profit or Loss.
Notes to the financial statements –
(continued)
34
Reversals
of
impairment
losses
on
debt
instruments classified as available for sale are
reversed through the Statement of Profit or Loss,
if the increase in the fair value of the instruments
can be objectively related to an event occurring
after the impairment losses were recognised in
the Statement of Profit or Loss.
v.
De-recognition of financial assets
A financial asset or, when applicable, a part of a
financial asset is derecognised when:
The rights to the cash flows from the asset have
expired; or
The Syndicate retains the right to receive cash
flows from the asset or has assumed an
obligation to pay the received cash flows in full
without material delay to a third party under a
‘pass through’ arrangement and either (a) the
Syndicate has transferred substantially all the
risks and rewards of the asset; or (b) the
Syndicate has neither transferred nor retained
substantially all the risks and rewards of the
asset, but has transferred control of the asset.
vi. Off-setting
Financial assets and financial liabilities are off-
set and the net amount is reported in the
statement of financial position if, and only if:
There is a currently enforceable legal
right to offset the recognised amounts;
and
There is an intention to settle on a net
basis, to realise the assets and settle
the liabilities simultaneously.
vii. Financial liabilities
The Syndicate’s financial liabilities include trade
and other payables, borrowings and insurance
payables. All financial liabilities are recognised
initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and
borrowings,
net
of
directly
attributable
transaction costs.
Financial assets and financial liabilities are
offset, and the net amount presented in the
balance sheet when, and only when, the
Syndicate currently has a legal right to set off the
amounts and intends either to settle on a net
basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability
simultaneously.
J. Investment return
Syndicate 2024 has no cash or investments as
the single Quota Share agreement is on a funds
withheld basis and will be settled after 36
months.
Investment
return
is
calculated
on
cash
balances of the reinsured Syndicate for relevant
classes of business and with the ceding
percentage applied.
Investment return is initially recorded in the non-
technical account. A transfer is made from the
non-technical account to the technical account -
general business. Investment return has been
wholly allocated to the technical account as all
investments relate to the technical account.
K. Taxation
Under schedule 19 of the Finance Act 1993,
Managing Agents are not required to deduct
basic rate income tax from trading income. In
addition, all UK basic-rate income tax deducted
from
Syndicate
investment
income
is
recoverable
by
managing
agents
and
consequently the distribution made to members
or their members’ agents is gross of tax. Capital
appreciation falls within trading income and is
also distributed gross of tax.
No provision has been made for any United
States
Federal
Income
Tax
payable
on
underwriting results or investment earnings. Any
payments on account made by the Syndicate
are included in the statement of financial position
under the heading ‘other debtors’. No provision
has been made for any overseas tax payable by
members on underwriting results.
L. Pension costs
Probitas
operates
a
defined
contribution
scheme. Pension contributions relating to staff
who act on behalf of the Syndicate are charged
Notes to the financial statements –
(continued)
35
to the Syndicate and included within net
operating expenses.
M. Operating expenses
Where payroll costs are incurred by the
reinsured Syndicate for the administration of the
classes of business covered by the Quota Share
agreement, these expenses are apportioned
using the ceding percentages.
Other administrative expenses are specified in
the Quota Share agreement.
N. Debtors and creditors
Insurance receivables are recognised when due
and measured on initial recognition at the fair
value
of
the
consideration
received
or
receivable. Subsequent to initial recognition,
insurance
receivables
are
measured
at
amortised cost, using the effective interest rate
method. The carrying value of insurance
receivables
is
reviewed
for
impairment
whenever events or circumstances indicate that
the carrying amount may not be recoverable,
with the impairment loss recorded in the income
statement.
Insurance receivables are de-recognised when
the de-recognition criteria for financial assets
have been met.
Insurance payables are recognised when due
and measured on initial recognition at the fair
value of the consideration received less directly
attributable transaction costs.
Other debtors principally consist of amounts due
from members and sundry debtors and are
carried at amortised cost less any impairment
losses.
Other creditors solely consist of amounts due to
related syndicates.
O. Bad debts
Bad
debts are provided for only where
information is available to suggest that that a
debtor may be unable or unwilling to settle its
debt to the Syndicate.
5.
Risk and capital management
Introduction and overview
This note presents information about the nature
and extent of insurance and financial risks to
which the Syndicate is exposed, the Managing
Agent’s objectives, policies and processes for
measuring
and
managing
insurance
and
financial risks, and for managing the Syndicate’s
capital.
Risk management framework
The Board of directors (‘the Board’) of the
Managing Agent has overall responsibility for
the
establishment
and
oversight
of
the
Syndicate’s risk management framework. The
Board has established an Audit committee and
a Risk committee which oversee the operation
of the of the Syndicate Risk Management
Framework and reviews and monitors the
management of risks.
The primary objective of the Syndicate’s risk
management framework is to protect the
Syndicate’s members from events that hinder
the
sustainable
achievement
of
financial
performance objectives, including failing to
exploit
opportunities.
Key
management
recognises the critical importance of having
efficient and effective risk management systems
in place.
The Managing Agent has established a risk
management function for the Syndicate with
clear terms of reference from the Board of
Directors, its committees, and the associated
executive management committee. This is
supplemented
with
a
clear
organisational
structure with documented delegated authorities
and responsibilities from the board of directors
to
executive
working
groups
and
senior
managers. Lastly, a Syndicate policy framework
which sets out the risk profiles for the Syndicate,
risk management, control and business conduct
standards for the Syndicate’s operations has
been put in place. Each policy has a member of
senior management charged with overseeing
compliance with the policy throughout the
Syndicate.
Notes to the financial statements –
(continued)
36
The Board of Directors approves the risk
management policies and meets regularly to
approve
any
commercial,
regulatory,
and
organisational requirements of such policies.
These policies define the identification of risk
and its interpretation to ensure the appropriate
quality and diversification of assets, align
underwriting and reinsurance strategy to the
Syndicate business plan, and specify reporting
requirements. Significant emphasis is placed on
assessment and documentation of risks and
controls, including the articulation of ‘risk
appetite’. The Syndicate regularly undertakes a
process known as ‘Own Risk & Solvency
Assessment’ (ORSA) which is reviewed by the
Risk Committee and finally approved by the
Board.
A. Insurance risk
The principal risk the Syndicate faces under
insurance contracts is that the actual claims and
benefit payments or the timing thereof, differ
from expectations. This is influenced by the
frequency of claims, severity of claims, actual
benefits paid and subsequent development of
long–term claims. Therefore, the objective of the
Syndicate is to ensure that sufficient reserves
are available to cover these liabilities.
The risk exposure is mitigated by diversification
across a portfolio of insurance contracts and
geographical areas. The variability of risks is
also
improved
by
careful
selection
and
implementation
of
underwriting
strategy
guidelines, as well as the use of reinsurance
arrangements.
The
Syndicate
assumes
business
from
Syndicate 1492 via a single quota share
agreement, which covers the following types of
general insurance contracts; Upstream Energy,
Marine and Energy Liability Ports and Terminal
Physical Damage and Cargo risks usually
covering twelve months’ duration.
The Syndicate’s most significant risks arise from
natural disasters.
Variability in claims and hence profits is a
significant risk to the Syndicate.
This is
mitigated by writing a diverse range of products
including diversification by industry sector and
geography.
The Syndicate has an agreed
maximum and normal line size for each
underwriting team.
It also has a reinsurance
strategy and purchasing plan to mitigate the
effects
of
individual
large
losses
and
events.
The pricing of the business includes the
consideration of inflation and other economic
factors.
Operational risk can also increase the
volatility of profits.
This risk is mitigated by strict
claim
handling
procedures
and
frequent
investigation of possible fraudulent claims.
PMA has a number of Board level risk appetite
statements governing the Syndicate's appetite
to
Insurance,
Reserving,
Investment
(and
Liquidity), Credit, and Operational Risks. These
are further sub-divided to provide greater clarity
to the business of the parameters within which it
is permitted to operate. One example is the
appetite for natural catastrophe risk, which is
expressed in terms of potential losses relative to
the reinsurance protections purchased, and
monitored using proprietary loss modelling tools.
The Syndicate uses commercially available
proprietary risk management software to assess
catastrophe exposure. However, there is always
a risk that the assumptions and techniques used
in these models are unreliable or that claims
arising from an un-modelled event are greater
than those arising from a modelled event.
Reserves have been assessed across the whole
underwriting portfolio on an entirely assumed
basis using the Lloyd’s approved Syndicate
business plan loss ratios.
The principal assumption underlying the liability
estimates is that the future claims development
will follow a similar pattern to past claims
development
experience.
This
includes
assumptions in respect of average claim costs,
claim handling costs, claim inflation factors and
claim numbers for each underwriting year.
Additional qualitative judgements are used to
assess the extent to which past trends may not
apply in the future, for example: one–off
occurrence; changes in market factors such as
public attitude to claiming: economic conditions:
as well as internal factors such as portfolio mix,
policy
conditions
and
claims
handling
procedures. Judgement is further used to
Notes to the financial statements –
(continued)
37
assess the extent to which external factors such
as judicial decisions and government legislation
affect the estimates.
Other key circumstances affecting the reliability
of assumptions include variation in interest
rates, delays in settlement and changes in
foreign currency rates.
i.
Sensitivity to insurance risk
The claim liabilities are sensitive to the key
assumptions that follow. It has not been
possible to quantify the sensitivity of certain
assumptions such as legislative changes or
uncertainty in the estimation process.
The Syndicate has limited historical experience
on
which
to
base
statistical
projections
particularly in respect of the longer-tail lines of
business.
Benchmark data has therefore been
used on a selective basis in the reserving
process.
For illustrative purposes the following table
indicates the impact of various percentage
changes
to
the
booked
reserves.
The
calculations have been carried out on a linear
basis and without any actuarial adjustments or
application of expert judgement.
Positive changes in assumptions represent a
decrease of the liability; negative changes in
assumptions represent an increase in the
liability.
General insurance business sensitivities as at 31 December
2024
Sensitivity
+5.0%
$000
-5.0%
$000
Claims outstanding – gross of reinsurance
503
(503)
Claims outstanding – net of reinsurance
503
(503)
Notes to the financial statements –
(continued)
38
B. Financial risk
The focus of financial risk management for the
Syndicate is ensuring that the proceeds from its
financial assets are sufficient to fund the
obligations arising from its insurance contracts.
Were a liquidity risk to crystalise, the SPA quota
share includes a cash-call facility, that would
necessitate the Syndicate settling a loss to
Syndicate 1492. This itself would need to be
funded by a cash-call on members.
The goal of the PMA investment management
process is to
optimise the risk-adjusted
investment income and risk-adjusted total
return by investing in a diversified portfolio of
securities, whilst ensuring that the assets and
liabilities are managed on a cash flow and
duration matching basis.
a. Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial
instrument will cause a financial loss to the
other party by failing to discharge an obligation.
A credit risk policy describes the assessment
and determination of what constitutes credit risk
for the Syndicate. Compliance with the policy is
monitored and exposures and any breaches
are reported initially to the Syndicate Monitoring
Committee. Emphasis is currently placed on
reinsurer security premium receivable from
intermediaries. The policy is reviewed at least
annually.
Management performs an assessment of
creditworthiness of both reinsurers and brokers
and
updates
the
reinsurance
purchase
strategy,
while
also
considering
suitable
allowance for impairment.
The Syndicate’s maximum exposure to credit
risk is represented by the carrying values of
monetary assets and reinsurance assets.
Reinsurance is placed with counterparties that
have a good credit rating and concentration of
risk is avoided by following policy guidelines in
respect of counterparties’ limits that are set
each year by PMA’s ‘Broker Vetting &
Reinsurance Security Group’ (BVRSG) and are
subject to regular reviews. The Syndicate does
not use credit derivatives or other products to
mitigate maximum credit risk exposures on
reinsurance assets, but collateral may be
requested to be held against these assets.
The tables below show the maximum exposure
to credit risk (including an analysis of financial
assets
exposed
to
credit
risk)
for
the
components of the statement of financial
position.
Year
2024
AAA
$000
AA
$000
A
$000
BBB
$000
Other
$000
Not rated
$000
Total
$000
Debtors arising out of reinsurance
operations
-
-
-
-
27,516
-
27,516
Total
-
-
-
-
27,516
-
27,516
Notes to the financial statements –
(continued)
39
i.
Financial assets that are past due or
impaired
The Syndicate has no debtors arising from
reinsurance operations that are past due.
An analysis of the carrying amounts of past due
or impaired debtors is presented in the table
below:
Neither past
due nor
impaired
assets
Past due
but not
impaired
assets
Gross value
of impaired
assets
Impairment
allowance
Total
2024
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
Debtors arising out of reinsurance operations
27,516
-
-
-
-
Total
27,516
-
-
-
-
Assets which are past due but not impaired
have been in arrears for less than 3 months
from the reporting date. The table above
provides information regarding the credit risk
exposure of the Syndicate at 31 December by
classifying assets per Standard & Poor’s credit
ratings of the counterparties. AAA is the highest
possible rating. Assets that fall outside the
range of AAA to BBB are classified as
speculative grade and have not been rated.
ii.
Maximum credit exposure
It is the Syndicate’s policy to maintain accurate
and consistent risk ratings across its credit
portfolio. This enables management to focus on
the applicable risks and the comparison of
credit exposures across all lines of business,
geographic regions and products. The rating
system is supported by a variety of financial
analytics combined with processed market
information to provide the main inputs for the
measurement of counterparty risk. All internal
risk
ratings
are
tailored
to
the
various
categories and are derived in accordance with
the Syndicate’s rating policy. The attributable
risk
ratings
are
assessed
and
updated
regularly.
b. Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Syndicate will
encounter
difficulty
in
meeting
obligations
associated with financial instruments. In respect
of catastrophic events there is also a liquidity risk
associated with the timing differences between
gross cash out-flows and expected reinsurance
recoveries.
A liquidity risk policy exists that sets out the
assessment
and
determination
of
what
constitutes liquidity risk. Compliance with the
policy
is
the
responsibility
of
the
PMA
Investment Committee. The policy is regularly
reviewed for pertinence and for changes in the
risk environment.
iii.
Maturity analysis of syndicate liabilities
The maturity analysis presented in the table
below
shows
the
remaining
contractual
maturities
for
the
Syndicate’s
insurance
contracts
and
financial
instruments.
For
insurance
and
reinsurance
contracts,
the
contractual maturity is the estimated date when
the gross undiscounted contractually required
cash flows will occur. For financial liabilities, it is
the
earliest
date
on
which
the
gross
undiscounted cash flows (including contractual
interest payments) could be paid assuming
conditions are consistent with those at the
reporting date.
Notes to the financial statements –
(continued)
40
Undiscounted net cash flows
Year
2024
No maturity
stated
$000
0-1 yrs
$000
1-3 yrs
$000
3-5 yrs
$000
>5 yrs
$000
Total
$000
Claims outstanding
-
-
10,062
-
-
10,062
Creditors
-
-
4,067
-
-
4,067
Total
-
-
14,129
-
-
14,129
c. Market risk
Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future
cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate
because of changes in market prices. Market
risk includes:
i.
Interest rate risk
ii.
Currency risk
iii. Fair value estimation
The objective of market risk management is to
manage and control market risk exposures
within acceptable parameters, while optimising
the return on risk. The nature of the Syndicate
exposures to market risk and its objectives,
policies and processes for managing market risk
have not changed significantly from the prior
year.
iv. Management of market risks
For each of the major components of market risk
the Syndicate has policies and procedures in
place which detail how each risk should be
managed and monitored. The management of
each of these major components of major risk
and the exposure of the Syndicate at the
reporting date to each major risk are addressed
below.
v.
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the value or
future cash flows of a financial instrument will
fluctuate because of changes in market interest
rates. Floating rate instruments expose the
Syndicate to cash flow interest risk, whereas
fixed rate instruments expose the Syndicate to
fair value interest risk.
As the Syndicate has only been operational for
12 months, no analysis has been disclosed to
illustrate possible movements in interest rates
with all other variables held constant, which
would show the impact on the result and
members’ balance of the effects of changes in
interest rates since the Syndicate has only
immaterial financial assets and liabilities.
The
Syndicate is not exposed to equity price risk.
vi. Currency risk
A market risk policy exists that sets out the
assessment
and
determination
of
what
constitutes market risk for the Syndicate. As the
Syndicate develops, compliance with the policy
will be monitored and any exposures and
breaches arising will be reported to the
Investment committee. The policy is reviewed
regularly for pertinence and for changes in the
risk environment.
Currency risk is the risk that the fair value or
future cash flows of a financial instrument will
fluctuate
because
of
changes
in
foreign
exchange rates. The Syndicate’s functional
currency is Sterling and its exposure to foreign
exchange risk arises primarily with respect to
transactions in US, Canadian and Australian
Dollars and Euros. The Syndicate seeks to
mitigate the risk by looking to match the
estimated
foreign
currency
denominated
liabilities with assets denominated in the same
currency.
Notes to the financial statements –
(continued)
41
The non-US Dollar denominated net assets of
the Syndicate may lead to a reported loss
(depending on the mix relative to the liabilities),
should US Dollar strengthen against these
currencies. Conversely, reported gains may
arise should US Dollar weaken.
The Syndicate looks to match its currency
position wherever practicable and so holds net
assets across a number of currencies. The
Syndicate
takes
into
consideration
the
underlying currency of the Syndicate’s required
capital and invests its assets proportionately
across these currencies to protect the solvency
of the Syndicate against variation in foreign
exchange rates. As a result, the Syndicate
holds a significant proportion of its assets in
foreign currencies.
The table below summarises the exposure of
the financial assets and liabilities to foreign
currency exchange risk at the reporting date, by
reporting currency, as follows:
C. Capital management
i.
Capital framework at Lloyd’s
The Society of Lloyd’s (Lloyd’s) is a regulated
undertaking and subject to the supervision of
the Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA)
under the Financial Services and Markets Act
2000 and in accordance with the Solvency II
Framework. Within this supervisory framework,
Lloyd’s applies capital requirements at member
level and centrally to ensure that Lloyd’s would
comply with the Solvency II requirements, and
beyond that to meet its own financial strength,
licence and ratings objectives.
Although Lloyd’s capital setting processes use
a capital requirement set at Syndicate level as
a starting point, the requirement to meet
Solvency II and Lloyd’s capital requirements
apply at overall and member level only
respectively,
not
at
Syndicate
level.
Accordingly, the capital requirement in respect
of Syndicate 2024 is not disclosed in these
financial statements.
Sterling
US dollar
Euro
Canadian
dollar
Australian
dollar
Other
Total
2024
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
$000
Debtors
215
26,344
277
643
36
-
27,516
Deferred acquisition costs
4
415
5
9
1
-
434
Total assets
219
26,760
282
653
36
-
27,949
Technical provisions
(230)
(26,321)
(296)
(540)
(28)
-
(27,415)
Creditors
-
(4,067)
-
-
-
-
(4,067)
Total liabilities
(230)
(30,388)
(296)
(540)
(28)
-
(31,482)
Total capital and reserves
(11)
(2,629)
(14)
113
8
-
(3,533)
Notes to the financial statements –
(continued)
42
ii.
Lloyd’s capital setting process
In order to meet Lloyd’s requirements, each
Syndicate is required to calculate its Solvency
Capital Requirement (SCR) for the prospective
underwriting year. This amount must be
sufficient to cover a 1 in 200-year loss,
reflecting uncertainty in the ultimate run-off of
underwriting liabilities (SCR ‘to ultimate’). The
Syndicate must also calculate its SCR at the
same confidence level but reflecting uncertainty
over a one-year time horizon (one-year SCR)
for Lloyd’s to use in meeting Solvency II
requirements. The SCRs of each Syndicate are
subject to review by Lloyd’s and approval by the
Lloyd’s Capital and Planning Group.
A Syndicate may comprise one or more
underwriting
members
of
Lloyd’s.
Each
member is liable for its own share of
underwriting liabilities on the Syndicate on
which it is participating but not other members’
shares. Accordingly, the capital requirement,
that Lloyd’s sets for each member, operates on
a similar basis. Each member’s SCR shall thus
be determined by the sum of the member’s
share of the Syndicate SCR ‘to ultimate’. Where
a member participates on more than one
Syndicate, a credit for diversification is provided
to reflect the spread of risk, but consistent with
determining an SCR which reflects the capital
requirement to cover a 1 in 200 year loss ‘to
ultimate’ for that member. Over and above this,
Lloyd’s applies a capital uplift to the members’
capital requirement, known as the Economic
Capital Assessment (ECA).
iii.
Provision of capital by members
Each member may provide capital to meet its
ECA either by assets held in trust by Lloyd’s
specifically for that member (Funds at Lloyd’s),
held within and managed within a Syndicate
(Funds in Syndicate) or as the member’s share
of the members’ balances on each Syndicate
on which it participates.
Accordingly, all of the assets less liabilities of
the Syndicate, as represented in the members’
balances reported on the statement of financial
position, represent resources available to meet
members’ and Lloyd’s capital requirements.
43
6.
Analysis of underwriting result
An analysis of the underwriting result before investment return is presented in the table below:
7. Net operating expenses
2024
$000
2023
$000
Acquisition costs
707
-
Change in deferred acquisition costs
(435)
-
Administrative expenses
3,050
-
Members’ standard personal expenses
1,084
-
Net operating expenses
4,407
-
Administrative expenses include:
2024
$000
2023
$000
Auditors’ remuneration:
fees payable to the Syndicate’s auditor for the audit of these financial statements
40
-
fees payable to the Syndicate’s auditor and its associates in respect of other
services pursuant to legislation
35
-
8.
Key management personnel compensation
The directors of Probitas Managing Agency
charged no fee to the Syndicate for their services.
The active underwriter received the following aggregate remuneration charged to the Syndicate.
9.
Staff numbers and costs
Probitas Managing Agency Limited (PMA) has entered into a secondment agreement with AdA
Underwriters Limited (AUL), which employs all staff working on the Syndicate. The average number of
persons employed by AUL and who worked either in part or whole for the Syndicate during the period
until 31 December 2024 was a follows:
Number of
employees
2024
2023
Administration and finance
1
-
Underwriting
11
-
Claims
1
-
Total
13
-
2024
Gross
premiums
written
$000
Gross
premiums
earned
$000
Gross claims
incurred
$000
Gross
operating
expenses
$000
Reinsurance
balance
$000
Underwriting
result
$000
Reinsurance
acceptances
28,278
10,891
(10,078)
(4,407)
-
(3,594)
Total
28,278
10,891
(10,078)
(4,407)
-
(3,594)
2024
$000
2023
$000
Emoluments
239
-
44
The following amounts were charged to the Syndicate under the Quota Share agreement for the
administration of the classes of business covered by the agreement:
2024
$000
2023
$000
Wages and salaries
2,319
-
Social security costs
320
-
Other pension costs
169
-
Total
2,
808
-
10. Investment return
2024
$000
2023
$000
Interest and similar income
From financial instruments designated at fair value through profit or loss
Interest and similar income
67
-
Total investment return
67
-
Transferred to the technical account from the non-technical account
67
-
The investment return was wholly allocated to the technical account.
11. Debtors arising out of reinsurance operations
2024
$000
2023
$000
Due within one year
-
-
Due after one year
27,516
-
Total
27,516
-
12. Deferred acquisition costs
The table below shows changes in deferred acquisition costs assets from the beginning of the period
to the end of the period:
2024
2023
Gross
$000
Reinsurance
$000
Net
$000
Gross
$000
Reinsurance
$000
Net
$000
Balance at 1 January
-
-
-
-
-
-
Incurred deferred acquisition
costs
435
-
435
-
-
-
Amortised deferred acquisition
costs
-
-
-
-
-
-
Foreign exchange movements
(1)
-
(1)
-
-
-
Other
-
-
-
-
-
-
Balance at 31 December
434
-
434
-
-
-
45
13. Claims development
The following table shows the estimates of cumulative incurred claims, including both claims notified
and IBNR for each successive underwriting year at each reporting date, together with cumulative
payments to date. The cumulative claim estimates and cumulative payments are translated to £ Sterling
at the rate of exchange prevailing at 31 December 2024 in all cases.
In setting claims provisions the Syndicate gives consideration to the probability and magnitude of future
experience being more adverse than assumed and exercises a degree of caution in setting reserves
where there is considerable uncertainty. In general, the uncertainty associated with the ultimate claims
experience in an underwriting year is greatest when the underwriting year is at an early stage of
development and the margin necessary to provide the necessary confidence in the provision’s
adequacy is relatively at its highest. As claims develop, and the ultimate cost of claims becomes more
certain, the relative level of margin maintained should decrease. However, due to the uncertainty
inherent in the estimation process, the actual overall claim provision may not always be in surplus.
Insurance contract outstanding claims provision by year of account as at 31 December 2024:
Gross:
Pure underwriting year
2024
Total
$000
$000
Estimate of gross claims
at end of underwriting year
10,062
Estimate of gross claims reserve
10,062
10,062
Provision in respect of prior years
-
-
Less gross claims paid
-
-
Gross claims reserve
10,062
10,062
Net:
Pure underwriting year
2024
Total
$000
$000
Estimate of net claims
at end of underwriting year
10,062
Estimate of net claims reserves
10,062
10,062
Provision in respect of prior years
-
-
Less net claims paid
-
-
Net claims
reserve
10,062
10,062
46
14. Technical provisions
The table below shows changes in the insurance contract liabilities and assets from the beginning of
the period to the end of the period.
2024
2023
Gross
provisions
$000
Reinsurance
assets
$000
Net
$000
Gross
provisions
$000
Reinsurance
assets
$000
Net
$000
Claims outstanding
Balance at 1 January
-
-
-
-
-
-
Claims paid during the year
-
-
-
-
-
-
Expected cost of current year
claims
(10,078)
-
(10,078)
-
-
-
Change in estimates of prior year
provisions
-
-
-
-
-
-
Discount unwind
-
-
-
-
-
-
Foreign exchange movements
17
-
17
-
-
-
Other
-
-
-
-
-
-
Balance at 31 December
(10,062)
-
(10,062)
-
-
-
2024
2023
Gross
provisions
$000
Reinsurance
assets
$000
Net
$000
Gross
provisions
$000
Reinsurance
assets
$000
Net
$000
Unearned premiums
Balance at 1 January
-
-
-
-
-
-
Premiums written during the year
28,278
-
28,278
-
-
-
Premiums earned during the year
(10,891)
-
(10,891)
-
-
-
Foreign exchange movements
(34)
-
(34)
-
-
-
Other
-
-
-
-
-
-
Balance at 31 December
17,353
-
17,353
-
-
-
Refer to Note 5 for the sensitivity analysis performed over the value of insurance liabilities, disclosed in
the accounts, to potential movements in the assumptions applied within the technical provisions.
15. Other creditors
2024
$000
2023
$000
Inter syndicate balances
4,067
-
Other related party balances (non-syndicates)
-
-
Total
4,067
-
47
16. Related parties
Syndicate 2024 has the following related parties:
1
Probitas Managing Agency Limited
PMAL
2
AdA Risk Holding Co Limited
ADA
3
AdA Underwriters Limited
AUL
Probitas Managing Agency Limited (PMA) has charged a managing agency fee of $0.75m to Syndicate
2024 for the period ending 31 December 2024.
PMA holds a Secondment & Services agreement with AUL for the provision of underwriting and other
related technical underwriting, claims, reinsurance and administration staff, services and
accommodation for Syndicate 2024.
17. Foreign exchange rates
The following currency exchange rates have been used for principal foreign currency transactions:
2024
Start of
period
rate
End of period
rate
Average
rate
Sterling
Euro
US dollar
Canadian dollar
Australian dollar
18. Funds at Lloyd’s
Every member is required to hold capital at Lloyd’s which is held in trust and known as Funds at Lloyd’s
(‘FAL’). These funds are intended primarily to cover circumstances where Syndicate assets prove
insufficient to meet participating members’ underwriting liabilities. The level of FAL that Lloyd’s requires
a member to maintain is determined by Lloyd’s based on Prudential Regulatory Authority requirements
and resource criteria. The determination of FAL has regard to a number of factors including the nature
and amount of risk to be underwritten by the member and the assessment of the reserving risk in respect
of business that has been underwritten. Since FAL is not under the management of the Managing
Agent, no amount has been shown in these Financial Statements by way of such capital resources.
However, the Managing Agent is able to make a call on the Member’s FAL to meet liquidity requirements
or to settle losses.
19. Post balance sheet events
There have been no post balance sheet events impacting the syndicate’s underwriting performance or
investment portfolios.
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