.png "Alchemy and Buckhill bring Santam’s Lloyd’s syndicate to market in under three months")
.png "Alchemy and Buckhill bring Santam’s Lloyd’s syndicate to market in under three months")
Introduction
Santam, Africa’s largest short-term insurer, has partnered with Alchemy Technology Services and Buckhill to deliver a new Policy Administration System (PAS) and digital operating platform for Santam Syndicate 1918 at Lloyd’s in under three months.
The platform, powered by Buckhill’s C2MS® technology, was rapidly configured to support accelerator products developed collaboratively with Santam. Supported by an ecosystem of trusted specialist insurance technology partners, the platform received approval late last year - ahead of the 1 January 2026 start for Santam Syndicate 1918. The project was delivered in under three months and on budget.
Alchemy, as the system integrator, provided programme governance and coordinating delivery activity alongside Buckhill and other ecosystem technology partners. Buckhill deployed and configured a fully compliant platform that supports Santam’s open market, consortia and line-slip business from inception.
The digital and data-first solution underpins Santam’s global diversification strategy, enabling the group to access new markets, grow specialist lines and build a scalable and lean operating model as part of its international expansion.
Amechi Peirce-Howe, Director of Global Specialty Markets at Alchemy, said:
“Delivering a fully functioning new entrant Lloyd’s PAS and digital operating platform for Santam in under three months demonstrates what is possible when you combine specialist expertise with the right technology partners. This platform proves that a modern, data-first alternative to legacy systems is achievable and repeatable. Santam’s vision and support has set a new benchmark for how quickly and confidently a syndicate can be stood up.”
Christopher Naidoo, COO at Santam Syndicate 1918, commented:
“The approval of Syndicate 1918 and rapid delivery of this advanced ecosystem has given us the foundation to expand our international diversification objectives with confidence. Working with Alchemy, Buckhill and their integrated mutual partners aligns directly with our ambition to build a modern, scalable and globally connected Lloyd’s syndicate. This is a transformational milestone for our business.”
Stuart Buckell, CEO and Founder at Buckhill, added:
“C2MS® was built to give insurers a modern, flexible and data-driven core system that can scale with their ambitions. Seeing it form the backbone of an approved platform, integrated with specialist partners and delivered collaboratively in such a short time period, highlights the strength of our ecosystem-first approach and notes a significant moment for the Lloyd’s market. This project shows what can be achieved when the right technology and delivery expertise come together.”
At the core of the platform is Buckhill’s C2MS®, a modern, configurable cloud-based PAS designed for carriers, MGAs and London Market operations. Around this, Alchemy supported the selection of key specialist technology partners while Buckhill integrated these components to create a unified ecosystem that caters for Lloyd’s requirements.
The platform supports business incepting from 1 January 2026 and forms the basis of a repeatable model for future new entrants into the Lloyd’s market.
About Santam:
Santam is South Africa’s leading general insurer with a market share in excess of 22%, which represents over 3 million policyholders. It is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and provides a range of general, specialist and reinsurance products, in Southern Africa and internationally through a network of over 3 300 intermediaries and direct channels. It is a subsidiary of Sanlam, the largest non-banking pan-African financial services group headquartered in South Africa, focused on emerging market economies, covering 31 countries in Africa, Asia and the UK. Sanlam is listed on the JSE, Namibian Stock Exchange, and the A2X.
About Buckhill:
Buckhill is a specialist technology partner to the London Market, delivering modern insurance solutions that bring data, workflows, and integrations into one unified platform. With more than 15 years of experience working across Lloyd’s and company markets, Buckhill supports insurers, syndicates, MGAs, and brokers as they modernise core operations and improve efficiency across the insurance lifecycle.
At the centre of Buckhill’s offering is C2MS®, an award-winning, cloud-based core insurance platform designed for the operational complexity of specialty and commercial insurance. C2MS® supports underwriting, policy administration, billing, claims, delegated authority, and regulatory reporting, and is built to integrate seamlessly with a broad ecosystem of market services and third-party technologies.
In addition to C2MS®, Buckhill offers AuthStack®, a cloud-native identity and access management solution, and continues to invest in AI-enabled automation to streamline workflows and reduce operational friction across the London Market and beyond.
