Articles by Francesca Nyman
Zurich's 'A+' IFS rating affirmed
Zurich Insurance Company's has had its ‘A+’ insurer financial strength rating and 'A' issuer default rating affirmed by Fitch.
XL names former Marsh exec country manager for Germany
XL Group has appointed Michael Harth as country manager for Germany, with effect from the 16 April 2012.
MMA to rebrand as Covéa as part of UK merger with Provident
Covéa has announced that Provident Insurance and MMA Insurance will merge into a single company, in a move which has been touted as a “platform for growth” within the UK market.
Travellers urged to consider ash cover after Etna eruption
Fears of a repeat of 2010’s travel chaos have surfaced after Europe’s highest volcano Mount Etna, began erupting over the weekend, ejecting lava and ash into the air.
Ironshore launches new environmental products for Europe
Dublin-based insurer Ironshore Europe has launched a suite of environmental products for the European market.
Eurozone financial services companies face challenging 2012
Solvency will remain a key challenge for Eurozone financial services companies throughout 2012, despite the positive action taken by the European central bank.
New managing agent enters nuclear market
New managing agent, Northcourt, was launched today, bringing fresh capacity to the global nuclear insurance market.
Oman Insurance Company appoints new senior management team
Oman Insurance Company has appointed a new senior management team.
Clustering seen as Windstorm Andrea follows hot on Ulli's heels
Windstorm Andrea passed through the UK earlier last week, fast on the heels of Windstorm Ulli, which brought widespread travel and power disruptions to Scotland.
A windstorm for the insurance market
As the market gradually starts to digest the recent European renewals, Francesca Nyman considers the increasing challenge that European windstorms pose and whether insurers are adequately protected against this risk.
Q&A Maja Sustersic
Last September the Federation of European Risk Management Associations extended its membership to the risk management association of Slovenia. SI Risk president Maja Sustersic spoke to Francesca Nyman about joining Ferma, challenges for Slovenian risk…
More M&A expected in Thailand after reinsurers review flood losses
Heavy losses from Thailand’s recent floods are dampening the appetite of global reinsurers to write business in the region.
FM Global appoints Rod Fisher senior VP for underwriting
Commercial property insurer FM Global has appointed Rod Fisher as senior vice president of underwriting and reinsurance.
Poland, Hungary and Ukraine lead the way in Coface top 500 ranking
For European financial services companies 2010 saw a return to profitability and a significant growth in turnover, with Polish, Hungarian and Ukrainian companies leading the way, according to Coface's top 500 rankings.
Malaysian M&A activity to continue in 2012
The high volume of merger and acquisition activities in the Malaysia financial services sectors is expected to continue in 2012, particularly in the area of insurance, a Pricewaterhouse Coopers official has said.
Windstorm Ulli expected to hit Scandanavia then dissipate
Windstorm Ulli is passing through Scandinavia and is expected to dissipate as it moves over the Baltic Sea today.
85% of Omani consumers want Islamic finance products
There is strong appetite among Omani consumers for Islamic finance with many keen to take it up as soon as it becomes available on the market, according to a study published by the Islamic Finance Advisory & Assurance Services.
Ageas's Asian subsidiary has ratings affirmed
Ageas Insurance Company (Asia) has had it’s long-term foreign currency issuer default rating affirmed at 'BBB+', and insurer financial strength rating affirmed at 'A-' by Fitch.
AM Best affirms Asia Capital Reinsurance Group FSR
Asia Capital Reinsurance Group has had its financial strength ratings affirmed along with core subsidiaries.
IAG secures multi-year reinsurance protection
Insurance Australia Group has finalised its catastrophe reinsurance programme for the period commencing 1 January 2012, encompassing protection of up to $4.7bn ($3.63bn), compared to $4.1bn in 2011.
MENA Insurance think tank welcomes three CEOs
MENA Insurance CEO Club has welcomed three industry veterans to its exclusive club, taking the total to 17.
Marsh completes acquisition of Alexander Forbes' brokerage business
Broker Marsh has completed its acquisition of the brokerage business of Alexander Forbes.
Nat-cats make 2011 the costliest year ever
A sequence of devastating earthquakes and a large number of weather-related catastrophes made 2011 the costliest year ever in terms of natural catastrophe losses, Munich Re’s annual natural catastrophe review has found.
Axa and Japan Post ranked world's largest insurers
French insurer Axa once again came top of AM Best’s ranking of the world’s 25 largest insurance companies as measured by net premiums written, while Japan Post Insurance Company led the ranking measured by nonbanking assets.