Articles by Mark Sands
Engelhardt hits out at ‘bizarre’ reserve release focus
Admiral group chief executive Henry Engelhardt has labelled concerns on the role of reserve releases in the insurer’s UK motor profitability as “bizarre”.
Admiral’s Chidwick hands CFO remit to deputy
Admiral group chief financial officer Kevin Chidwick is to hand his role to his deputy Geraint Jones in a bid to focus more on the insurer’s US business.
Brit profits hit by IPO costs
The costs of floating on the London Stock Exchange have seen Brit’s profits tumble 18% in the first half of 2014.
Admiral UK motor profits up 8% on boosted reserve releases
Admiral’s UK motor business has seen profits increase 8% following £73m of reserve releases in the first half of 2014.
Admiral weighing up bid for UK's leading telematics player Insure the Box
Admiral is evaluating a bid for telematics firm Insure The Box just months after announcing a £200m cash raise, Post understands.
£8m added to home premiums by preventable claims
Just over half of all home insurance claims follow preventable incidents, according to Money Supermarket, adding a total of £8m to home insurance bills.
Windstorm Tini loss estimate climbs to £224m
A windstorm which rampaged across the UK and Ireland in mid-February is now estimated to have cost the insurance industry €281m (£224m).
Bollington recruits former rugby star Jee
Former Sale and Manchester rugby star Phil Jee has joined Bollington to serve as a corporate account manager.
Henderson quadruples risk management unit with CRS buy
Henderson Insurance Brokers has swooped for Staffordshire-based Corporate Risk Systems, substantially bolstering its risk management and training practice.
Cost of countryside crime up 5% in 2013
Levels of rural crime increased last year according to figures from NFU Mutual, which estimated the total cost rising 5% to £44.5m.
Aon launches simplified Solvency II calculation tool
Aon’s risk management business has developed a new tool to simplify the calculation of capital totals under Solvency II.
NOAA raises likelihood of ‘below average’ hurricane season
The prospects of a below average Atlantic hurricane season have been increased in the latest forecasts from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Zurich expands disaster recovery to all UK SME customers
Zurich has expanded its offering of disaster recovery services beyond the mid-market corporate sector to include all UK SME clients.
UK General inks Policyfast caravan deal
Specialist insurer UK General has agreed a sixth caravan owners’ scheme, through a deal with wholesale underwriting agency Policyfast.
Gable partners with Berkshire in reinsurance deal
Liechtenstein-based insurer Gable has completed a deal that will see Berkshire Hathaway-owned Gen Re become a reinsurance partner.
IFB assists on 1000 fraud arrests
Police have this morning made the 1000th arrest as a result of result of information and support provided by the Insurance Fraud Bureau.
Whiplash medical fee cap ‘credit positive’ says Moody’s
Plans to limit the cost of medical reports are credit positive for UK motor insurers according to rating agency Moody’s, in spite of the expectation that such moves will also further lower premiums.
Quindell update fails to halt tumbling share price
Quindell's share price has fallen by almost 25% over four days of trading, in spite of optimistic trading updates issued by the firm.
Hughes’ Murphy joins Apricot
Northern Irish broker Apricot has recruited Elaine Murphy from Hughes to serve as Belfast branch manager.
Arista underwriter Rolfe heads to Bluefin
Bluefin has swooped for Arista senior underwriter Sian Rolfe, naming their new recruit as underwriting product manager.
CNA Europe names Hardy boss Brosnan as CEO
Hardy chief executive Dave Brosnan has been promoted to a new role as CEO of CNA Europe, replacing John Hennessy.
Integro acquires film broker Stonehouse Conseillers
Integro has further expanded its entertainment practice with a deal to acquire London-based broker Stonehouse Conseillers.
Aviva eying turnaround on UK NWP
Aviva is seeking to reverse the shrinkage of its UK general insurance book after reporting tumbling net written premiums for the second successive quarter.
RSA cutting 19% of UK expense base
RSA plans to cut almost a fifth of its UK costs as it seeks to reach a target of £180m in savings globally, roughly 10% of its total costs.