Zurich completes Beazley takeover as scheme becomes effective

Beazley and Zurich said the court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement for Zurich's recommended all-cash offer for Beazley became effective on October 1, 2026, after a copy of the Court Order was delivered to the Registrar of Companies. Scheme shareholders are entitled to 1,310 pence a share, with London trading suspension and a delisting path following today's Effective notice.

The Effective announcement

Beazley's regulatory news service announcement (RNS Number 0500X) states that, following delivery of a copy of the Court Order to the Registrar of Companies earlier today, the Scheme has now become effective. The Court had sanctioned the Scheme on September 22, 2026.

The announcement confirms the recommended all-cash offer by Zurich Insurance Group Ltd for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Beazley, implemented by a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006. Beazley and Zurich first announced agreement on March 2, 2026; the Scheme Document was published on March 26, 2026.

Under the Scheme, holders of Scheme Shares are entitled to receive 1,310 pence for each Scheme Share held at the Scheme Record Time — 6:00 p.m. on September 30, 2026. The latest date for despatch of cheques to Scheme Shareholders (other than Sanctioned Shareholders) and settlement through CREST is October 15, 2026.

Trading suspension and delisting path

Dealings in Beazley shares are expected to be suspended by 7:30 a.m. today, October 1, 2026 (London time). Applications have been made to the FCA and the London Stock Exchange for delisting from the Official List and cancellation of Main Market admission, each expected by 8:00 a.m. on October 2, 2026. Share certificates in respect of Beazley shares have ceased to be valid documents of title, and CREST entitlements will be cancelled.

Board changes at Beazley

With the Scheme effective, Beazley said Clive Bannister, Rajesh Agrawal, Roy Clark, Pierre-Olivier Desaulle, Nicola Hodson, Fiona Muldoon, Carolyn Johnson, (Anthony) John Reizenstein, and Cecilia Reyes Leuzinger stepped down from the board. Patrick Manley, Earl Randall Clouser, Helen Pickford, Kristof Terryn, and Claudia Cordioli were appointed. Beazley said it is no longer in an Offer Period under the Takeover Code, so previously notified dealing disclosure requirements no longer apply.

Why Effective matters now

Court sanction on September 22 cleared the judicial step; Effective is the ownership-transfer event. Cash consideration timing, trading suspension, and the delisting timetable all run from today's RNS.

Sources & evidence

- [Beazley PLC — Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective (RNS 0500X, via TradingView/Refinitiv)](https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2026-10-01:newsml_RSA0500Xa:0-reg-beazley-plc-scheme-of-arrangement-becomes-effective/) — Effective confirmation; 1,310 pence cash; Court Order to Registrar; suspension/delisting timetable; board changes. - [Beazley PLC — Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective (Investegate)](https://www.investegate.co.uk/announcement/rns/beazley--bez/scheme-of-arrangement-becomes-effective/9800159) — Parallel RNS carrier of the same Effective announcement.