Articles by Mark Sands
16% of Britons ‘horrified’ by driverless cars
Almost half of British adults would be unwilling to be a passenger in a driverless car while 16% are “horrified” by the idea, according to research from Uswitch.
Saga launching motor panel to expand customer base
Saga has created a new panel of motor insurers to build out its client base, while also plotting to double takings from its travel business.
57 flood warnings issued across UK
Environment agencies for the UK have issued a barrage of flood warnings as the country continues to suffer the impact of Storm Rachel.
Aviva names Morris as HNW commercial director
Aviva has promoted its personal lines head of retail underwriting and pricing to a newly created role as high net worth commercial director.
Third arm-sized bolt fractures on Cheesegrater
The owner of the recently opened London home for Aon and Amlin has admitted that a third steel bolt has fractured on the building, and that it will launch a replacement programme.
Axa Art appoints quartet of regional CEOs
Axa Art has shuffled its global leadership by appointing four new regional CEOs taking their roles with immediate effect.
Reputation, cyber crime fears surge in AGCS risk survey
Rising concerns over loss of reputation and instances of cyber crime have dominated the UK results of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty’s most recent risk barometer survey.
Evidence for reinsurance reforms expected to centre around regulation and tax
The cost of regulation, tax and immigration are the themes expected to come under the microscope following a plea for evidence on potential reinsurance reforms by City minister Andrea Leadsom MP.
Career Development: David Cameron visits Covéa offices to meet apprentices and graduates
Covéa Insurance had the opportunity to showcase the insurance industry as a desirable profession, as Prime Minister David Cameron visited apprentices and graduates at the firm’s Halifax office.
Environment agencies call for ‘immediate action’ with spate of flood warnings
The Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency have issued a dozen flood warnings across the UK as the country braces for further disruptive weather.
Legal services CEO quits Quindell
Quindell Legal Services CEO Phil Hodgkinson has left after almost two years with the troubled business.
Helios completes £1m Lloyd’s Nameco buy
Helios Underwriting has formally completed a deal to acquire a Lloyd’s limited liability vehicle, Nameco (No 311).
Lloyd’s names Godwin head of claims
Lloyd’s of London has appointed senior claims manager Philip Godwin as its new head of claims, effective immediately.
Chase Templeton buys Best Health Business
Acquisitive medical insurer Chase Templeton has completed a deal to buy Bristol-based intermediary Best Health Business.
UK insurance industry need not fear EU exit, says City minister
The UK’s insurance industry has little to fear from a potential European Union exit, according to economic secretary to the treasury Andrea Leadsom MP, who has also called for more evidence from the London market on its challenges.
Aon UK awaiting approval for new CRO
Aon UK is awaiting regulatory approval for a new chief risk officer following the depature of Carol Richmond after more than five years leading the function.
100mph+ winds forecast to batter Scotland
Winds of more than 100mph have been forecast for Scotland later this week, with the Western Isles, Orkney and the north and north-west of the country set to bear the brunt of the weather.
NIHL claims down by 10% for 2014
Claims for noise induced hearing loss are set to drop to £361m for 2014 for the UK’s most exposed insurers, down marginally from a 2013 equivalent of £402m, according to an investor report.
Canopius recruits from Delta Lloyd for renewable energy team
Canopius has unveiled a new renewable energy division following the recruitment of a team of specialists from Delta Lloyd.
Gable stock price climbs 4% on takeover rumours
Rumours of an imminent takeover have boosted Liechtenstein-domiciled Gable’s share price in trading on the London Stock Exchange.
European insurers paid out £2bn per day through 2013
Insurers across Europe paid out an average of £2bn (€2.6bn) every day in claims and benefits through 2013, according to new figures from the European Insurance and Reinsurance Federation.
BLP recruits former Keelan Westhall MD Tonge
BLP Insurance has recruited the former managing director of Arthur J Gallagher-owned Keelan Westhall as its new head of sales.
FOS forecasts fee freeze for 2015/16
The Financial Ombudsman Service has announced plans for a freeze on standard case fees and levies for 2015/16 as it lowers targets for overall income in a consultation document published today.
Alternative capital to target property, business interruption says Aon
The role of capital markets in reinsurance is likely to continue to grow, according to Aon, which has forecast that investors may seek to expand into new classes of business.