Post - 2011-05-19

News analysis - AJG acquisition: Deal or no deal

After a number of stalled bids from a variety of firms, Heath Lambert has been bought by international giant Arthur J Gallagher. Mairi MacDonald follows the timeline of the deal and looks at what the consequences may be.

Go Compare slips down the rankings

Go Compare has fallen to 11th place in a study of the most visible insurance websites, published by search engine research firm Greenlight.

Editor's comment: All action, no talk

Mergers & acquisitions have definitely dominated the insurance headlines this week. Nothing unusual in that — except, for once, it's been more a case of all action and little talk, rather than the reverse, as is so typically the case. But it also remains…

Mentoring - risk managers: Passing the torch

The process of mentoring, where experienced people give advice and encouragement to younger professionals, can be hugely beneficial and cost virtually nothing. Elaine Heyworth details a new scheme about to launch to assist up-and-coming risk managers.

Damage management - Surge: Surging ahead

Recent surge events have shown insurers are getting better at coping with large numbers of claims but there is still room for improvement. Sam Barrett finds out what could make a crucial difference the next time an extreme event occurs.

Perseverance prepares to exit UK insurance market

Perseverance, the Gibraltar-based former owner of KGM, is set to dispose of one of its remaining assets in the UK insurance market, Post understands, following negotiations to sell its stake in One Answer Network.

Affinity partnerships: Perfect service

What makes a truly successful affinity partnership? Mike Caidan looks at how this market is changing, demands are rising and discusses how proactivity, innovation and flexibility are vital.

Biba 2011: Restructure ends as 114 Axa jobs go

Axa Commercial chief executive Amanda Blanc has revealed the restructure of the firm is "complete", including the identification of 114 senior management staff who will leave the business. As a result of the swift changes, Axa branches across the UK are…

Mitsui steps up mid-market regional push

Mitsui Sumitomo is poised to open its doors in Birmingham as part of its regional mid-market push, ahead of the unveiling of its new property-led product for this target segment in quarter four. The news follows last month's four-strong recruitment in…

Penny Black's insurance week

Another year, another Biba conference; brokers nurse their hangovers, hacks try to recall the juicy story slurred in their ear at 2am, and insurers vow to return to the exhibition hall next year with a bigger stand than Aviva, nicer cup cakes than Zurich…

Schemes: Scheming for success

Schemes business requires significant investment to make it work and underwriters are not prepared to tolerate poor profitability. But, as Jane Bernstein reports, the benefits are many and it remains attractive to brokers.

Greenwoods tackles fraud

Greenwoods Solicitors has become the first law firm to join the Telecommunications UK Fraud Forum, a body for the exchange of information and promotion of united efforts against such fraud.

View from the top: A very bad year

Despite reinsurers' initial talk that the Australian floods and the New Zealand & Japanese earthquakes were earnings — not balance sheet — events, and there would be no impact on rates, the chatter has changed recently, with some now actively hinting at…

Hill Dickinson merges practices after strategic review

Hill Dickinson has merged its insurance and professional risk practices following a strategic review of the business. As a result of the changes, Ruth Lawrence, who joined the Liverpool-headquartered firm 20 years ago as a solicitor, assumes the role of…

Postbox: Backing reforms was not taken lightly

Your leader of last week 'Are some more equal?', coupled with the comments reported from Elite Insurance over the ABI's support for the recommendations of the Jackson Review, highlights the delicate balance a trade body needs to strike between…

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