Articles by Chris Wheal
County Insurance buys Whitchurch
Brand new consolidator County Insurance North West has bought its first broker - Whitchurch Insurance Services, a £1.1m GWP business based in Shropshire.
Ace promotes Reid and Brown
Ace has made two promotions in its UK and Ireland region.
Lloyd's upbeat on prospects after low cats
Lloyd's has reported that a lack of catastrophes in the first quarter has left it on target for the year, and gave a positive outlook for growth.
Lloyds Bank makes further PPI payments of £375m
Lloyds Bank has announced that its payment protection insurance misselling has cost it a further £375m.
Cobra extends deadline for takeover bids
Broker Cobra has extended the deadline for its two potential bidders - Towergate and Alto - to make a formal offer for the group.
Private bidder eyes up Direct Line Group
The FT has reported that Edi Truell's new bid vehicle Tungsten has made an informal expression of interest to buy Direct Line Group, which analysts estimate could sell for up to £4bn.
Airline and aviation insurance turns a profit
The airline and aviation manufacturing insurance markets generated a profit in 2011 following one of the safest years in recent times, according to broker Willis Aerospace.
Rolland from Amex to head LV's claims
LV has appointed Chris Rolland, pictured, as claims director to oversee all aspects of claims within LV's general insurance business.
Groupama goes dynamic on Open GI
Groupama is providing brokers with dynamic pricing on its motor quote engine through Open GI.
Questgates names five new recruits
Questgates has announced five new appointments across its motor, property and counter-fraud divisions.
Helphire cuts debt as drop in hires slows
Helphire said in a trading update it had reduced net debt by £7.9m, from £132.4m to £124.5m, in the first three months of the year.
RSA expected to beat 95% COR
Deutsche Bank has said it expects RSA to produce a combined ratio of better than 95% when it reports Q1 results this week.
Engelhardt tops Sunday Times insurance Rich List
Admiral's Henry Engelhardt, pictured, was the insurance industry’s top player in this year’s Sunday Times Rich List, with a total worth of £528m, down £120m from last year. He came in at 156th place, down from 120.
Canopius details Omega takeover savings and possible Tower Bermuda sale
Canopius chairman Michael Watson said that taking over Omega will be the "last big deal", but is not the end of its "ambitions".
Beachcroft promotes five to be partners
International law firm DAC Beachcroft LLP has appointed five new partners with effect from 1 May 2012, taking total partner numbers to 235.
Safety consultants in management buyout
Health, Safety and Engineering Consultants, based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire has undergone a £2.7m management buy-out backed by venture capitalist EV.
John Paynter quits JLT board
John Paynter is to retire from the Jardine Lloyd Thompson board on 30 June, forcing JLT to appoint Richard Harvey as chairman of its remuneration committee with immediate effect.
Garwyn recruits three in liability expansion
Liability adjuster Garwyn has taken on three new recruits as part of a strategic move to build expertise across the firm's national branch network.
Plum signs back-office deal with Plus One
Plum Underwriting has signed up for back-office services from Hood Group subsidiary Plus One Services to free up staff and improve service to brokers.
JLT confirms positive start to the year
Broker Jardine Lloyd Thompson has issued a trading statement saying it has made a positive start to the year and that overall trading performance is in line with expectations.
Antares names Mark Graham as COO
Lloyd's insurer Antares has appointed Mark Graham, pictured, to the newly created role of chief operating officer.
Jubilee recruits McGonigle in affinity bid
Specialist Lloyd's insurer Jubilee has appointed John McGonigle, pictured, as head of affinity and special risks in a shake-up to boost its affinity business.
Barclays sets aside £300m more for PPI
Barclays Bank has announced an interim statutory loss before tax of £475m (2011: £1,655m profit), including an additional provision of £300m for payment protection insurance redress.
Canopius in US tie-up for Omega buy
Canopius has said its takeover of Omega will be funded partly by issuing new shares representing a 30% increase in shareholders' equity and a deal with US insurer Tower Group.