Post - 2010-10-28
Articles in this issue
Restrictive covenants: The curious case of the wet laptop
The case of Marsh v Euan Nicolson has raised salutary lessons over hiring from rival firms. Ling Ong and Michael Green report.
Top 25 EC3 brokers - Commentary: Size is not everything
Olly Laughton-Scott looks at the rationales behind acquisition strategies, explores the maxim that size does not matter and that the disposal of business can be just as illuminating.
Interview - Adrian Colosso: The comeback kid
Having come close to going bust in 2005, Daniel Dunkley talks to Heath Lambert's chief executive Adrian Colosso about the challenges facing the firm as it continues to punch above its weight.
Regulation - Life after the FSA: New beginnings
With the coalition government now set to see through its promise to abolish the FSA, Leigh Jackson reports on the possible consequences for the broking sector.
Broker status: Broker LLP - a beneficial partnership?
Lockton is set to become the biggest intermediary yet to become an LLP broker. Edward Murray looks at the benefits of such a transformation.
Top 25 EC3 brokers - Analysis: Getting the balance right
Despite markets not changing dramatically, some EC3 brokers recorded notable figures. James Simpson reports on the sector over the past 12 months.
Round table - SMEs & charities: Here to inform and educate
The SME and charity sectors have been widely courted by brokers and insurers in recent years. However, questions still persist about whether these customers are having their needs properly met. With this in mind Post gathered together some industry…
EC3 top 25 broker listing
EC3 top 25 broker listing, in association with IMAS Corporate Advisors..
LAS and Rok make Ageas and Tesco panel
Ageas and Tesco Underwriting have appointed Rok and LAS to provide building repair, claims management and validation services.
Career path & CSR: FSSC becomes a charity and changes name to Financial Skills Partnership
The Financial Services Skills Council has passed a special resolution to become a charity and change its name to the Financial Skills Partnership, pending confirmation from Companies House.
Industry tackles ghost brokers
The insurance industry is working with police to develop an educational programme to help tackle fraudulent practices by so-called 'ghost brokers'.
In series - Property claims: Catalyst for change
Although the current market is challenging, Vernon Davenport claims the opportunities in moving to a more efficient way of working are immense.
Career path & CSR: LV receives highest accolade for workplace wellbeing at CMI awards
LV's staff autonomy has helped it land the workplace wellbeing accolade at the Chartered Management Institute national management and leadership awards.
View from the top: Kick start from Solvency II
For an increasing number of people in the UK general insurance industry, Solvency II is already a significant issue.
In series - Property claims: The price is right
Getting the balance right over rates for property claims is essential. Sam Barrett reports on the measures taken to ensure repairs are carried out at the market rate, keeping both customers and contractors happy.
Industry concern as flood funding cut in spending review
Funding for flood defences has been cut in Chancellor George Osborne's comprehensive spending review. Under the previous government, £2.15bn had been committed for the years 2008-2011, however, this has been sliced to £2bn for the four years from 2011 to…
Motor - uninsured driving: Driving through changes
Imminent implementation of the continuous insurance enforcement scheme will boost the battle against uninsured drivers. But every effort must be made to get law-abiding motorists onside, warns Malcolm Etchells.
Insurers face uncertainty after CPR ruling
Insurers face being hard hit by an appeal court judgment that has approved relaxing the timeframe allowed for claimants to bring personal injury cases, a leading law firm has claimed.
Major loss: Repair or replace?
When a business suffers an unexpected catastrophe, Veronica Cowan looks into the decision making behind the option to repair or replace damaged premises, stock or machinery.
Zurich director: Lord Young report needs further discussions
The insurance industry needs to work with Lord Young of Graffham to make sure his proposed health & safety code of practice is not too complex and prescriptive, according to a senior insurance figure.
VFM tries different tack by appointing no replacement MD
VFM Services will not replace its outgoing managing director Nick Sugden when he retires at the end of the year.
Editor's comment: Flood battle lines drawn
If there were three words you could not escape last week, it was "government spending review". Well, I concede "Wayne Rooney" and "greed" may have been equally prominent, but it is unknown what impact the Manchester United number 10's increased wealth…
Amlin and JLT team up on health food cover
JLT has joined forces with Amlin UK to launch an insurance scheme for producers, importers and retailers within the health food sector.
Cooke joins Advanta to head new energy team
Former Cunningham Lindsey engineering director Geoff Cooke has joined loss adjuster Advanta Global Services to head up its new energy team.
Paraline considers acquisitions and hires following launch
New Lloyd's venture Paraline has pledged to expand its geographical reach and range of products following its official launch last week.
IAG UK swoops to double size of Barnett & Barnett
IAG UK-owned broker Barnett & Barnett has almost doubled its size to £50m gross written premium, with a move for a controlling stake in Bromley-based commercial and personal lines specialist NBJ.
Co-op mulls life book disposal but holds onto GI business
The Co-operative Group is keen to hold onto its general insurance book, despite moves to offload its life insurance portfolio, according to sources close to the business.
IUA and ABI to review rehabilitation code
The International Underwriting Association and the Association of British Insurers are set to consider extending the rehabilitation code beyond the immediate needs assessment as part of a new review of the guidelines.
Career path & CSR: Customer focus key to Westfield win
Westfield Health has won the north of England business excellence award to place it among the UK's most outstanding businesses.
Keelan Westall adds more ex-Power Place know how
Property insurance broker Keelan Westall has expanded its senior team with the appointment of another former Power Place manager.
Insurers accused of claim refusals over technicalities
More insurers are attempting to ease the financial burden of the economic downturn by repudiating claims on technical points, a specialist loss adjuster has claimed.
Drennan raises Alarm over local council cuts
Risk management should no longer be simply seen as a "little silo" within local authorities, according to a senior public sector representative.
Agrical bolsters building claims service with hire of Gent
Yorkshire-based loss adjuster Agrical has hired Martin Gent to oversee its surveying services and building losses arm.
Sagicor eyes SME after Josephs hire
Barbados-based insurer Sagicor is targeting growth in the UK's SME space after recruiting MMA Insurance's former head of distribution Ian Josephs to launch a range of web-based products.
Industry-funded RTA portal will survive MoJ budget cuts
Cuts to the Ministry of Justice's budget as part of the coalition government's comprehensive spending review are unlikely to have a material impact on the insurance industry, it has been claimed.
Former PWS boss gets 21 months for Costa Rica bribes
The Serious Fraud Office has welcomed the "appropriate" 21-month prison sentence handed to former PWS International chief executive Julian Messent.
Career path & CSR: Barbon staff graduate with CMI diploma
Broker Barbon's 15 Big Management Programme employees have graduated, gaining their Chartered Management Institute diploma in management.
Hiscox offers charities cover
Hiscox has launched a combined charities insurance product designed to take advantage of what it describes as a "gap in the market."
Interview - Andrew Mckee: Planning for the next stage
Having taken over at Lloyd's insurer Mitsui, Andrew McKee talks to Jonathan Swift about his plans to move the company on, a decade after it launched.
Niche business in favour as Banga expands role
Brit's new head of UK distribution Vivek Banga has revealed the insurer will aim to write more niche business as it looks to expand its UK broker footprint.
Postbox - Arag: Lord Young's missed opportunities
Lord Young's comments on compensation culture continue to baffle many in the industry as well as the public who stand to be affected by changes to the civil justice system.
Lloyd's Name's hidden gold
A former Lloyd's underwriter has had more than £1m worth of gold and cash seized by the New Zealand courts to pay for debts incurred almost 20 years ago.
Post magazine - 28 October 2010
The latest issue of Post magazine is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Penny Black's insurance week
As one is aware the insurance industry calendar is littered with sporting events that provide an opportunity for some healthy competition and a little refreshment. But in Penny's humble opinion last week's glittering event punched above the rest.
Postscript – 30 years ago: Lloyd’s waits on computer lease figures
Looking through Post’s back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 30 years ago reveals.
Postscript – 10 years ago: Xchanging in Lloyd’s and IUA tie-up
Looking through Post’s back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight form ten years ago reveals.
Postscript – 5 years ago: Allianz loses out on World Cup exposure
Looking through Post’s back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news as this article from 5 years ago reveals.