Post - 2010-06-03
Articles in this issue
HDI-Gerling restructure
HDI-Gerling is to form two new business divisions, major & global risks and UK corporate, together with the creation of a new regional structure.
FFDR appoints King
Scottish disaster recovery firm FFDR has appointed Kenny King to head its Aberdeen operation.
Irish to sell VHI
The Irish government has revealed it is to sell state-owned medical insurer VHI after injecting capital into the firm.
Aviva charity pledge
Aviva plans to mark the first anniversary of its rebrand by pledging to donate 1% of its average daily broker generated premium for the month to the Aviva 'Street to School' campaign.
BMS sets growth strategy of doubling in size by 2015
London market broker BMS is set to make a number of acquisitions and team hires as part of plans to double its business by 2015.
New online provider targets 'savvier' customers
A new online insurance provider is aiming to compete with the existing aggregators with an offering aimed at "savvier" customers.
ABI levy 'disappointment'
The Association of British Insurers has revealed its disappointment at the Financial Services Authority's regulatory fees and levies for the next financial year.
Millar leaves RBSI claims
Julian Millar, head of specialist claims operations at Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance, has parted ways with the company.
CHO chairman named
Ralph Ferguson, the former chairman of the National Association of Credit Hire Operators and Drive Assist claims director, has been appointed as interim chairman at the Credit Hire Organisation.
FSA extends PPI referrals
The Financial Services Authority has introduced a temporary rule to allow payment protection insurance policyholders more time to refer complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
C&G takes RBSI's Morgan
Congregational & General is to appoint Andrew Morgan as claims manager, working across the home and church divisions of the organisation.
RBSI boss predicts tide turn for affinity
The chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance has insisted that the "tide will turn" for its affinity arm.
Quinn shortlists sale trio
Three investment banks have been shortlisted by Quinn Insurance to assist with the sale of the business, with a winner to be appointed by the end of the week.
British Gas hires Hutton
British Gas Insurance has named the chief executive designate it hopes will help the company fulfil its ambition of becoming a top-10 UK player by the end of 2011.
Editor's comment: M&A activity is steady, with some green shoots
This year has seen only a steady drip of merger and acquisition activity, rather than a flurry, something that was noted by Pricewaterhouse Coopers in its European Financial Services M&A Insight published yesterday.
SCM talks set for full purchase of Axis
SCM Insurance Services will enter discussions with Axis Claims Pro to consider the purchase of its international arm "within a month".
BVCAIS targets 10% D&O rate reduction
Members of the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association could benefit from a 10% reduction in premium rates after the launch of BVCA Insurance Services.
View from the top: Solvency 2 - Insurance 0
Ask me what business I am in right now and I will say 'Solvency II'. Because, when I check my diary, I see a wall of meetings geared towards ensuring Groupama's compliance with the UK version of the new European solvency and risk management regulations.
Arista scales back growth with profit now in its sights
Arista chief executive Charles Earle has admitted the managing general agent is to scale back growth for 2010 in preparation for long-term acquisitive action.
Vericlaim continues recruitment drive
Loss adjuster VRS Vericlaim has pledged to continue its recruitment drive, after appointing new staff to its offices in London and Birmingham.
LMA elects Hurst-Bannister as chairman
Barnabas Hurst-Bannister, chairman of Travelers Syndicate Management, has been elected chairman of the Lloyd's Market Association.
NIG appoints Woollam
NIG has appointed Chris Woollam as head of key accounts.
MMA regional team
MMA has named the team that will lead its new regional office in Chelmsford, part of the insurer's commercial lines expansion announced in March.
Kwik Fit seeks proof
Kwik Fit Insurance has signed a contract with conversion management expert Maxymiser, to improve online customer engagement and provide scientific proof of winning web content.
Biba kicks off lobbying with Treasury meeting
British Insurance Brokers' Association chief executive Eric Galbraith has voiced his concerns over the latest wording of the Bribery Act 2010, warning the new government it must learn from its predecessor's handling of the insurance premium tax issue.
Heath Lambert appoints Darby in new Manchester move
Heath Lambert has appointed Robin Darby as the head of its Manchester operation.
Invicta buys four more books as spending spree continues
Invicta Insurance Services has made four further acquisitions, following its swoops for Williams Insurance Services and Lowe Insurance earlier this year.
Conference research reveals importance of legal cover for SMEs
Less than 25% of small businesses are likely to have sufficient funds to cover the cost of a legal dispute, according to research conducted by First Assist Legal Protection at the recent British Insurers' Brokers Association conference.
North of the Border: opening the floodgates
In the case of Maureen Flood v University Court of the University of Glasgow, Ms Flood, a university lecturer, claimed damages from her employer for depression caused by workplace stress.
Hurricane warning
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted "one of the most active [hurricane] seasons on record."
Katla eruption threat
Experts from the newly formed UCL Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction have warned that with the high frequency of eruptions of Icelandic volcano Katla, an eruption in the short-term is a strong possibility.
MGA staff offered new roles in outsourcing deal
Five UK General staff are set to be affected after the underwriting agency signed an outsourcing agreement with Direct Group.
Adjuster in sports pilot
Intersport Insurance Services has agreed a six-month pilot scheme for its commercial sports equipment validation service with a "top three loss adjuster".
World Cup triggers injury debate
The upcoming football World Cup is likely to reignite the debate over who should cover players injured as a consequence of taking part in the tournament.
Interview - Paul Geddes: Regaining an edge
With a new team in place and a major change programme underway, including 2000 job cuts, RBSI CEO Paul Geddes talks to Jonathan Swift about the need to stay competitive.
Postbox: Five is not enough — more is better for benchmarking
I read the recent article 'Five is magic number for benchmarking' with interest mainly because we have been successfully benchmarking the personal claims market for the past six years.
Postbox: Davies: not just for the big insurers
I am glad to see that healthy competition prevails and wish Messrs Greenwood, Carr and Cranford-Smith good luck in their venture of creating a new loss adjusting business.
Postbox: Validation is not onerous
Groupama Insurances counter-fraud manager Stephen Teeling's recent article 'Getting to know you' raises a valid argument that the insurance industry should follow the example of the major banks and put in place industry-wide practical validation measures…
Energy - Deepwater Horizon impact: In deep water?
Stephanie Denton reports on the fallout for the energy market from the recent Deepwater Horizon drilling platform explosion.
Professional indemnity - design rules: The load of codes
With 10 new Eurocodes replacing long-established design codes for the construction industry, Martyn Francklow questions the quick changeover period and analyses their potential to generate professional indemnity claims.
Fraud - World Cup warning: Eye on the ball
Major sporting events are a magnet not only for fans but also financial criminals. Mark Jones explains how South Africa has a secret weapon to bolster its defences as the 2010 football World Cup kicks off.
Legal update - Piracy: Making demands
With pirate attacks becoming more regular, Emma Rice looks into the legal issues surrounding the payment of ransoms.
Employment tribunals - cost recovery: Getting your money back
When claimants take their employer to a tribunal and lose, costs are rarely awarded. Andrew McDonald explores why this recovery is becoming increasingly important.
Career development & CSR news: Zurich staff set to take on 192 charity challenges
Zurich Financial Services' 7000 UK employees are gearing up to take on 192 separate community challenges as the firm celebrates the 21st year of its annual volunteering event.
Career development & CSR news: Towergate raises £350 000 to train Childline counsellors
More than 223 volunteer counsellors will be recruited and trained across the UK, helping more than 50 000 children in danger and distress, thanks to £350 000 raised for Childline by Towergate.
Career development & CSR news: Kwik Fit four bike challenge
Four leather-clad Kwik Fit Insurance employees are taking part in a 1600-mile sponsored motorbike ride, around the coast of Scotland, in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for a much-needed cardiac ultrasound machine at The Royal Hospital for Sick…
Career development & CSR news: Working together to beat the recession
Recent figures indicate that the UK economy grew between February and April this year. It seems almost too good to be true to think that, after 18 months of economic crisis, the tide may be turning for UK businesses.
Postscript - 30 years ago: Shipbuilders buy 'state-of-art' data
Looking through Post's back cataloguepaints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 30 years ago reveals.
Postscript - 10 years ago: Europeans get Chinese permission
Looking through Post's back cataloguepaints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 10 years ago reveals.
Postscript - 5 years ago: Heath secure with £20m war chest
Looking through Post's back cataloguepaints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 5 years ago reveals.
Penny Black's insurance week
Despite claims to the contrary, Penny is still not 100% convinced by former Lorega chief executive John Sims' claims that he is not having a mid-life crisis.
£20m Lloyds TSB cash injection for Hastings
Personal lines specialist Hastings Direct has become the latest broker to receive third-party capital after agreeing to a £20m cash injection from Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets.
Review follows £60m Capita deal
Capita has outlined plans to retain the staff of Premier Medical Group following its £60m acquisition of the company last week.
ELTO success not dependent on FSA
The insurance industry has continued to back the formation of an Employers’ Liability Tracing Office, despite concerns about the future of the Financial Services Authority.
Wood advisory role
Gateshead-based Northern Counties Insurance Brokers has appointed Mark Wood, managing director of UKGI, pictured, in a non-executive advisory capacity.
Rehabilitation - PAS 150: Kitemark conundrum
The lack of an attached kitemark to new rehabilitation code of practice PAS 150 spelled disappointment for some. In the first of two articles on the standard, Lynn Rouse explores the key issue of accreditation.
Post Magazine - 03 June 2010
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