Sampo Oyj (HLSE:SAMPO) and Rand Merchant Investment Holdings Limited (JSE:RMI) are in talks to buy Hastings Group Holdings plc (LSE:HSTG), the two insurers said on July 29, 2020, sending Hastings' shares up 15%. Sampo wants to expand into non-life insurance and beyond Nordic markets, it said in a statement, explaining its interest in Hastings. Hastings said it had set up an independent committee of its board, excluding RMI representative Herman Bosman, to consider the offer.

Sampo and RMI have until August 26, 2020 to announce a firm intention of an offer or walk away.