Articles by Chris Wheal
OFT to review car repairs and credit hire
The Office of Fair Trading has launched an investigation into the provision of third party vehicle repairs and credit hire replacement vehicles to private motor insurance claimants.
Jelf expands in affinities and PI sales
Broker Jelf has said its insurance growth has been on the back of a “fantastic year” in professional indemnity insurance sales and the success of specialist policies for recruitment firms.
IFB names new boards for expansion
The Insurance Fraud Bureau is to split its governance and technical management into separate boards and has announced a new line-up up of senior industry figures who will take over in the New Year.
RSA names Fairmann for broker HNW
Insurer RSA has named Giles Fairmann as business development manager working on its high net worth offering for brokers.
RSA quits unprofitable biker markets
Insurer RSA has been forced to quit the motorcycle market after a decade that saw it hit by higher than average third-party bodily injury claims from pillion passengers.
Homeserve to outsource complaints
Homeserve said it intended to outsource its complaints handling, following the appointment of a new director of customer relations, reporting directly to Jonathan King who was parachuted in as CEO of Homeserve Membership.
Jelf’s insurance EBITDAE rises 14%
Broker Jelf said its insurance sector revenues were up 4.5% to £44.8m (£42.9m) with its insurance EBITDAE up 14% to £4.9m (£4.3m). Jelf said insurance accounted for 62% of its business.
QBE gives Judy Holt Europe-wide role
Business insurer QBE has promoted UK head of broker development Judy Holt to be head of business development for European markets, based in London and Brussels.
Hiscox London Market achieves chartered status
Hiscox London Market business has been awarded Corporate Chartered Insurer status by the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Liberty Syndicates recruits Peter Sprent
Liberty Syndicates Management has recruited political risk and trade credit underwriter, Peter Sprent, from Ace, to lead its Global Financial Risks team.
Swiss Re’s Stefan Lippe to retire early
Swiss Re's chief executive Stefan Lippe is to retire early next year, sparking a race to find a successor who Swiss Re insists will “be appointed soon”.
BAIS names three for expansion
Motor insurance claims handler Broker Assistance Insurance Services has appointed a new broker relationship team as part of its expansion plans.
Bermuda market ‘difficult but promising’
The Bermuda insurance and reinsurance market has weathered pressure on its capital base and faces a promising renewal season AM Best has said.
Equistone (Barclays) sells First Assist
Mid-market private equity firm Equistone Partners Europe - previously Barclays Private Equity - has sold after-the-event insurance provider First Assist Legal Expenses for approximately £28m to Burford Capital.
ABI wants Solvency II to aid investment
The ABI has warned that the Eurozone crisis would not hold up Solvency II, but the new rules for how insurers hold capital should recognise the need for investment in long term projects needed for economic growth.
GAB Robins ready for Bawbag damage
George Bentley, client services director of loss adjuster GAB Robins, has doubled the number of adjusters available on call to handle severe weather this week and is proposing to open its offices for longer hours, if needed.
Test Achats prompts gender consultation
The government has issued a consultation document on how insurers can use gender as a risk factor in the light of the European Court of Justice Test Achats ruling in March.
CCV names new boss for Moscrops
CCV-owned Lancashire based broker Moscrops has appointed Andrew Champion to take over as managing director following the retirement of Tim Chadwick.
Optimas sells Premium Choice
Mark Woods and Richard Dornan, pictured, co-founders of Birmingham niche broker Premium Choice, have bought back the company they sold four years ago to venture capitalist Optimas.
Regulation still thwarts China expansion
Property and casualty insurers still consider China’s tight regulatory environment as the top concern, a report from PWC has found.
QBE appoints Radakovic to Dubai office
Business insurer QBE has recruited Vladan Radakovic from Chartis to be property underwriter in QBE’s Dubai office.
Regulation still thwarts China expansion
Property and casualty insurers still consider China’s tight regulatory environment as the top concern, a report from PWC has found.
Zurich promotes new Farmers CEO
Zurich Financial Services Group has promoted Jeff Dailey from president and chief operating officer of Farmers Group to CEO. He will also join the Zurich group executive committee from 1 January 2012.
Munich Re puts €500m on Thai floods
Munich Re has estimated that the Thai floods will cost it €500m net before tax, but warned the figure could be higher.