Articles by Chris Wheal
Homeserve expects 3% customer rise
Homeserve said it expected half year profits to be better than last year, and in line with expectations, claiming it had more than five million customers and 11.7 million policies.
Helphire board change over £29m error
Helphire board bosses have quit after shocking results saw pre-tax losses more than double to £34.1m.
Neave rebuts IFB ‘revolving door’ claims
Insurance Fraud Bureau chairman David Neave insists there is no “revolving door” problem at the industry anti-fraud co-ordinator, after Glen Marr announced he was stepping down from the director role after just over a year.
Canopius says Omega deal has backing
Canopius has said that it expects to complete its due diligence following its 83p a share proposed bid for Omega by 30 September 2011.
Cobra sells broking operations to Aston Scott
Cobra has sold its insurance broking operations in Caterham and Alton to ASG Risk Management, a subsidiary of Aston Scott Group.
AM Best calls for UK insurer price hikes
UK Insurers need to put up prices and cannot release reserves for much longer because of the weak economy ruining investment returns, AM Best has warned.
Lloyd’s pips AIG in surplus lines
The surplus lines industry suffered an unprecedented fourth year of declining premiums in 2010 and Lloyd’s knocked AIG off the top spot, according to AM Best.
Waterer to head Marsh Risk Consulting in UK and Ireland
Marsh has promoted its head of UK operational risk practice, Richard Waterer (pictured), to be head of Marsh Risk Consulting in the UK and Ireland.
Ecclesiastical’s ex-copper finds Firle vases
Hiring former Scotland Yard art and antiques chief Dick Ellis has paid off for Ecclesiastical - with the recovery of £1.3m worth of items stolen from Firle Place in West Sussex.
Waterer to head Marsh Risk Consulting
Marsh has promoted its head of UK operational risk practice, Richard Waterer (pictured), to be head of Marsh Risk Consulting in the UK and Ireland.
Thurston Smith opens in Birmingham
Hertfordshire-based insurance recruitment firm Thurston Smith has opened a second office, based in Birmingham’s Victoria Square.
Willis and XL move to e-accounting
The London-based operations of insurer XL Group and broker Willis are now using the Acord electronic accounting process between the two companies.
Bollington gives Barnes new risk role
Niche and affinity commercial insurance broker Bollington has appointed Andy Barnes to the new role of head of risk management to expand its 20-strong risk management services.
Plum helps brokers with unusual risks
Non-standard household insurance specialist Plum Underwriting has launched a series of workshops to teach brokers how to benefit from the growing demand for non-standard household risks.
IFB puts fraud searches on web portal
The IFB is making 128 million anti-fraud insurance records available on a web portal to provide fraud scores and intelligence reports.
Marsh and AAIB to cover Iraq land rigs
Marsh has tied up with Anglo Arab Insurance Brokers to provide insurance cover for oil rig drilling contractors in Iraq.
Canopius Omega bid best says adviser
A note from stockbroker Peel Hunt has dismissed the Haverford bid for 25%of Omega as the least attractive to shareholders of the three bids, preferring Canopius to Barbican.
Willis recruits Rolls Royce aero boss
Willis has recruited Mark Wilford, director of risk at engine maker Rolls-Royce as chairman of its global aerospace division.
Buy Beazley/Lancashire, says adviser
Adviser Collins Stewart says despite Lloyd’s poor results it recommend buying shares in Beazley and Lancashire but issued warnings about Amlin and Hardy.
Apil warns against adventure play rules
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers has warned that children will be exposed to greater risk of harm if safety measures for adventure activities are watered down.
Barbican in Omega merger proposal
Barbican Insurance has dangled an 84p a share offer for 60 million (24.57%) of Omega shares, if Omega shareholders agree to take over Barbican.
L&G boss Tim Breedon to retire in 2012
Legal & General chief executive Tim Breedon – the chairman of the current Association of British Insurers - is to retire at the end of 2012.
Trade credit insurers rated as stable
Moody's has given a thumbs up to the recovering trade credit insurers that had been hit by the recession - Euler Hermes and Coface.
Canopius promotes Webb and Sandle
Specialist insurer Canopius has made two promotions in its marine & energy division.