By Rebecca Delaney

Jan 30 - (The Insurer) - Several environmental campaign groups affiliated with Extinction Rebellion targeted insurance CEOs on Thursday over the UK insurance sector’s alleged involvement in new fossil fuel infrastructure.

Members of Extinction Rebellion gathered outside Marsh McLennan's London office with signs accusing UK CEO Chris Lay of "deadly fossil fuel profiteering". A statement by the movement said that the broking giant was targeted for its alleged involvement in the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

Similar signs were displayed targeting Lloyd's CEO John Neal, as well as WTW's Carl Hess and Howden Group CEO David Howden.

Protesters gathered outside the brokers' respective London offices with flags and banners. Outside One Lime Street, residents impacted by flooding made speeches about extreme weather events in the UK.

Meanwhile, Christian Climate Action and XR Buddhists held a silent vigil at 22 Bishopsgate. The building houses many carriers, with the vigil targeting Aki Hussain-led Hiscox.

Medical professionals from Health for XR also occupied the lobby of Axa, claiming that the French insurer holds investments in liquified natural gas terminals.

The protests were held in the City of London this morning before campaigners headed to the Royal Courts of Justice for the appeal of the "Lord Walney 16".

Insure Our Survival spokesperson Steve Tooze said: “Insurance companies need to stop insuring oil and gas immediately if they are to have a chance of being on the right side of history.

“You are complicit in an injustice of heinous proportions. While 16 peaceful protesters are in jail for a combined sentence of 41 years, those who are putting our future at peril are continuing to soak up profit.”

Dr Naomi Adelson of XR Health added: “As a doctor I have a responsibility to mitigate this crisis to protect public health. It can be hard to know what to do about such a big problem, but health insurers such as Axa have the power to really make a difference by choosing to insure projects that work towards a healthier world rather than those that continue to work with harmful fossil fuels.”

Earlier this week, Extinction Rebellion protesters disrupted the Airmic Risk Forum, which was held at Howden's London headquarters.

The Insure Our Survival campaign was launched by Extinction Rebellion in October 2024. An ultimatum letter was sent to a “target list” of UK-based insurance executives demanding a public pledge to cease underwriting fossil fuel projects ahead of planned protests across the UK.

The "week of actions" targeting the (re)insurance sector kicked off on 28 October with protesters occupying the lobby of the London offices of several Lloyd’s carriers.

Lloyd's and Marsh McLennan declined to comment. WTW, Howden, Hiscox and Axa were contacted for comment.