Nearly nine years on, the repercussions of Grenfell are still rippling through the construction and insurance markets. The latest tremor came a couple of weeks ago when Wren - the mutual insurer specialising in professional indemnity insurance (PII) for architects - announced it will stop underwriting new business and close down.

The decision follows a surge of cladding-related claims after the Grenfell Tower disaster, which led to what Wren described as a “significant number” of members leaving after a supplementary cash call in March 2025.

Wren is conducting a managed, solvent withdrawal and has set aside a £28m contingency pot to cover liabilities and ongoing claims. Those currently insured should therefore be protected. But the architectural practices that relied on Wren will now have to seek cover in the commercial insurance market instead - a market that, as many consultants know, can be fickle at the best of times.