Articles by Mairi MacDonald
Mapfre faces more rating downgrades
Mapfre Global Risks and Mapfre Asistencia have been downgraded as a result of the weakening creditworthiness of the Spanish government, according to Moody's.
O'Neill to remain in Marketform top role
Specialist Lloyd's insurer Marketform Managing Agency has confirmed that interim chief executive John O'Neill, pictured, has taken up the position on a permanent basis.
Hardy suspends Singapore underwriting amid refocus on US risk
Hardy Underwriting is refocusing its property treaty business on US risk and away from the international business that brought catastrophic losses over the past two years.
Go Compare annual profit rises 15%
Go Compare's pre-tax profit increased 15% year on year to £34.7m in 2011, while turnover rose to £108.9m (2010: £101.5m).
RK Harrison secures £30m bank facility
RK Harrison Group has secured a £30m refinancing deal with Clydesdale Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland.
PE interest to shake up motor insurance market
Growing interest in motor insurance from private equity firms is likely to increase dynamism in the sector, according to Ernst & Young.
Emerging markets drive global premium growth
Economic growth in emerging markets and selective rate increases in developed markets helped drive a 1.9% increase in global non-life insurance premiums in 2011.
Quindell extends Silverbeck agreement
Quindell has broadened its partnership with Silverbeck Rymer to offer a joint outsourcing personal injury product to the UK claims market.
FXB: Groupama downgrade does not reflect UK profitability
Groupama Insurances chief executive François-Xavier Boisseau, pictured, has defended the strength of the "ring-fenced" UK business and claimed that "good progress" towards a sale is being made, after the group's security rating was downgraded.
RSA pulls plug on direct motor venture in Czech Republic
RSA is quiting the direct motor insurance business in the Czech Republic.
RSA exits Czech motor market
RSA is quiting the direct motor insurance business in the Czech Republic.
Friel joins Axa Commercial
Former Insurance Age editor Martin Friel has joined Axa Commercial Lines as head of media strategy.
BMS appointment signals US MGA growth plan
BMS Group has appointed delegated authority underwriter Gene Hinman to establish a US managing general agent platform.
Holman succeeds Banks at Brightside
Arron Banks has resigned as chief executive of Brightside Group.
Zeidler joins Capita to focus on strategic growth
Capita's insurance services business has appointed Phil Zeidler as divisional corporate development director.
Cloutier: Double Brit deal better for shareholders
The sale of Brit Insurance to run-off specialist Riverstone, two months after QBE acquired its renewal rights, sets up Brit Group to focus on developing its specialist and reinsurance operation and marks the "last major piece of restructuring", according…
Brit offloads legacy liabilities to Riverstone
Brit Group has agreed the sale of its Financial Services Authority-regulated Brit Insurance Limited to Riverstone Group.
NIG reports 103% combined ratio and £494m income in 2011
Annual results for NIG for 2011 have revealed that net earned premium revenue fell by £235.8m to £413.1m compared with 2010.
Nordic insurers urged to make bigger adjustments to investment portfolios
Nordic insurers need to make bigger adjustments to their investment portfolios because of the likely requirements of Solvency II.
Tokio Marine expands Scottish team
Tokio Marine Europe Insurance has appointed Trevor McAuley to its marine cargo underwriting team, based in Glasgow.
Travelers considers stake in Esure
Travelers is reported to be in preliminary talks with Esure about buying a stake in the UK home and motor insurer.
Airmic 2012: Reservation of rights model clause to be published
Airmic is to publish a model insurance contract clause to prevent insurers reserving rights on claims without due cause.
Airmic 2012: Marsh returns to Liverpool after six years
Marsh has re-established an insurance broking division in Liverpool six years after exiting the city.
Ex-Jubilee motor boss joins HDI-Gerling
Industrial insurance firm HDI-Gerling is expanding its UK offering to include motor fleet in the UK after appointing John Shepherd to head up the new line of business.