Three firms with distinct specialties - an AI-driven commercial submission platform, a Lloyd's specialty broker, and an environmental risk MGA - have joined the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB) as the association heads into its 113th annual Insurance Leadership Forum this week.
Bold Penguin, based in Dublin, Ohio, brings the most operationally distinct profile of the three. Its DeX AI platform compresses the time from commercial submission to bind from days to minutes, working across more than 40 carriers and 30 lines of business in admitted and E&S markets. Bold Penguin is owned by American Family Insurance, making it one of the few carrier-backed platforms to join CIAB as a full member rather than through the Council Partners program, which is where carriers and technology vendors typically participate.
London-based Cogent, a Lloyd's broker since 1986 and independently employee-owned, covers specialist lines including aviation, energy, delegated authority, political violence, terrorism, political risk, and trade credit. These are classes where London market access is often central to placement. Cogent named Adam Holberry, founder of Beat Capital-backed MGA Brace Underwriting, as CEO designate this week, effective October 1, to lead the firm into its next phase of growth
Gilbert, Arizona-based Del Rio Group rounds out the three, bringing more than 30 years of environmental risk specialty through its portfolio of brands, which includes NXUS Environmental Underwriters and Environmental Risk Professionals.
On the partner side, several carriers and industry organizations increased their investment in The Council ahead of the forum. MSIG USA, ReSource Pro, Verisk, and The Hartford each moved from Platinum to Diamond - the highest tier - earlier in 2026. CRC Group, FM, Inigo, The Baldwin Group, Swiss Re, and Zywave, meanwhile, elevated from Gold to Platinum. McKinsey & Company also upgraded from Gold to Platinum.
CIAB president and CEO Joel Wood said the three new members each address a gap in the market and place highly specialized risks. "We're thrilled to welcome them to our membership community," Wood said.
The association's member firms collectively place approximately 85% of US commercial property and casualty insurance premiums, according to CIAB.
