ROOFING, CLADDING & FAÇADES
WHY WREN’ S CLOSURE MATTERS FAR BEYOND ARCHITECTURE
CHANGES IN PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR BUILDING DESIGN RISK
From July this year, the closure of Wren Insurance Association marks a pivotal shift in how professional indemnity( PI) risk is managed across the construction sector. While the immediate impact falls on architects, the implications extend well beyond design practices affecting contractors, developers and the wider supply chain at a time when building safety and compliance remain under intense scrutiny.
Valcan, manufacturer of cladding systems, works with project teams navigating façade design, fire performance and regulatory change. In collaboration with Consort Insurance, and drawing on insight from Daniel White, we’ ve explored what Wren’ s closure means in practice, why it matters now, and how firms can respond more resiliently.
What’ s changing and why is this happening now?
From 1 July, Wren Insurance Association will stop offering renewal terms to its 63 member practices. Existing policies will continue until expiry and claims already notified will still be handled. However, once those policies lapse, former members will need to secure cover in the open commercial professional indemnity market.
Since Grenfell, Wren has played a unique role, remaining one of the few insurers prepared to offer meaningful cover for cladding related exposure. Its exit therefore removes an important option for architects whose work involves façades, fire safety or residential buildings- all of which remain sensitive risk areas for insurers.
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