STOCK TITAN

Auditor change at Kestrel Group (Nasdaq: KG) with no disputes

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Kestrel Group Ltd has changed its external auditor. On April 1, 2026, the Audit Committee dismissed Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm. EY’s report on the year ended December 31, 2025 contained no adverse or modified opinions, and there were no disagreements or reportable events.

The Audit Committee approved the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. EY provided a letter to the SEC dated April 6, 2026 confirming its agreement with the company’s description of the auditor change.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

Kestrel replaces EY with Grant Thornton, with no reported disputes.

Kestrel Group Ltd reports an auditor transition from Ernst & Young LLP to Grant Thornton LLP, effective for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. EY issued a clean opinion on 2025 financials and explicitly noted no disagreements or reportable events.

Because the change is overseen by the Audit Committee and EY concurs with the company’s description in its April 6, 2026 letter, this reads as a governance and audit-firm preference decision rather than a response to identified accounting issues. The information does not, by itself, alter the fundamental investment thesis.

Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant Governance
The company changed its independent auditing firm, which may involve disagreements on accounting matters.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Auditor dismissal date April 1, 2026 EY dismissed as independent registered public accounting firm
New auditor fiscal year Year ending December 31, 2026 Grant Thornton engaged for this fiscal year
Last EY audit year-end December 31, 2025 EY report on consolidated financial statements
EY confirmation letter date April 6, 2026 Letter filed as Exhibit 16.1 agreeing with Item 4.01(a)
independent registered public accounting firm regulatory
"approved the dismissal of Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm"
An independent registered public accounting firm is an outside accounting company officially registered with the government regulator to examine and report on a public company's financial records and controls. Investors treat its reports like an impartial inspector’s certificate — they add credibility to financial statements, help spot errors or misleading claims, and reduce the risk that shareholders are relying on unchecked or biased numbers.
reportable events regulatory
"there have been no reportable events (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K)"
disagreements regulatory
"there were no disagreements (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions)"
Item 4.01 regulatory
"We have read Item 4.01 of the 8-K dated April 6, 2026"
Regulation S-K regulatory
"as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions"
A set of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules that tell public companies which narrative and qualitative details must be disclosed in filings, such as risk factors, management discussion, executive pay, legal proceedings and business description. Think of it as a standardized checklist or blueprint that ensures investors get the same types of background information from every company so they can compare risks, management quality and strategy before making investment decisions.
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
April 6, 2026 (April 1, 2026 )
 
Kestrel Group Ltd
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Bermuda001-4266898-1833921

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 

(Commission File
Number)
 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
11 Bermudiana Road, Suite 1141,
Pembroke HM08, Bermuda  
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
 
(441) 298-4900
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
  
 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
  
 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
  
 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))  

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, par value $0.01 per shareKG
Nasdaq Capital Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.





Item 4.01. Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.
(a) On April 1, 2026, Kestrel Group Ltd (the “Company”), through action of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Audit Committee”), approved the dismissal of Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, effective immediately.
The report of EY on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and the subsequent interim period through the date of dismissal, (i) there were no disagreements (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions) between the Company and EY on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to EY’s satisfaction, would have caused EY to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for such year and (ii) there have been no reportable events (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).
The Company provided EY with a copy of this Current Report on Form 8-K prior to filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and requested that EY furnish a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the statements made by the Company. A copy of EY’s letter, dated April 6, 2026 is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
(b) On April 1, 2026, the Company, through action of the Audit Committee, approved the engagement of Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and the subsequent interim period prior to engagement, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf consulted with Grant Thornton regarding: (a) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company by Grant Thornton that Grant Thornton concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (b) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions) or a reportable event (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).




Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits. 
Exhibit No.Description
16.1
Letter from Ernst & Young LLP dated April 6, 2026




SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. 




Date:April 6, 2026 Kestrel Group Ltd
  
    
 
 
 By:/s/ Bradford Luke Ledbetter
 Name:Bradford Luke Ledbetter
 Title:Chief Executive Officer








Exhibit 16.1

April 6, 2026

Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have read Item 4.01 of the 8-K dated April 6, 2026, of Kestrel Group Ltd and are in agreement with the statements contained in section (a) on page 1 therein. We have no basis to agree or disagree with other statements of the registrant contained therein.

Yours truly,

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

FAQ

What auditor change did Kestrel Group Ltd (KG) disclose?

Kestrel Group Ltd’s Audit Committee dismissed Ernst & Young LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm on April 1, 2026, and engaged Grant Thornton LLP for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. EY had audited the company’s 2025 financial statements before the change.

Did Ernst & Young report any issues with Kestrel Group Ltd (KG)?

Ernst & Young’s report on Kestrel Group Ltd’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025 had no adverse opinion, disclaimer, or modifications. The company states there were no disagreements or reportable events with EY during that fiscal year and subsequent interim period.

Why is the absence of disagreements with EY important for KG investors?

The company reports no disagreements or reportable events with Ernst & Young under Regulation S-K definitions. This indicates the auditor change was not triggered by disclosed disputes over accounting principles, disclosures, or audit scope, which can reassure investors about the integrity of prior financial reporting.

Who will audit Kestrel Group Ltd (KG) for the 2026 fiscal year?

Grant Thornton LLP has been engaged as Kestrel Group Ltd’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The company also notes it did not consult Grant Thornton on specific accounting matters or potential audit opinions before this engagement.

What did Ernst & Young’s letter say about Kestrel Group Ltd’s 8-K?

In a letter dated April 6, 2026, Ernst & Young LLP stated it had read Item 4.01 of Kestrel Group Ltd’s April 6, 2026 Form 8-K and agreed with the statements about EY in section (a). EY said it had no basis to agree or disagree with other statements.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents