Articles by Mark Sands
Rural launches Darlington office with six Towergate recruits
Rural Insurance has opened a new Darlington office led by six underwriters from Towergate-owned BIB.
Biba recruits Abbey Legal for advice helpline
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has launched a new legal advice line for members, run by Abbey Legal Protection.
Brit launches Bermuda SPV for catastrophe capacity
Speciality insurer Brit has created a new special purpose vehicle to provide capacity support for its property treaty portfolio for 2015.
Market Moves - 18 December 2014
All the latest job moves in the insurance market.
Lloyd’s hands Parry permanent finance reins
The Council of Lloyd’s has named John Parry as Lloyd’s permanent finance director with immediate effect.
MPs plotting to summon outgoing FCA execs
Two departing executives from the Financial Conduct Authority are set to be summoned to appear in front of the Treasury Select Committee over the mis-handling of changes to life insurance regulation.
Towergate PI team heads to Griffiths & Armour
Griffiths & Armour has recruited a team of professional indemnity specialists to bolster its professional risks division.
Zurich poaches QBE’s Whistler for UK vendor management role
Zurich has recruited Neil Whistler to serve as head of vendor management for UK claims from January 2015.
Insurers unfazed by CMA probe into Crawford's GAB acquisition
Insurer claims specialists are relaxed about the Competition and Markets Authority investigation into Crawford’s £45.8m acquisition of GAB Robins.
Quindell CEO plays down Terry’s share sale
Founder Rob Terry’s sale of 5% of Quindell’s total share capital has been played down by CEO Robert Fielding, despite the troubled firm’s share price dropping by a third over 24 hours.
Ageas secures £150m RBS loan for retail restructure
Ageas has obtained a loan of £150m from RBS Invoice Finance to help it restructure its retail business as announced in its Q3 results.
Founder Rob Terry dumps 5% of Quindell shares
Quindell’s founder and former chairman Rob Terry has offloaded a large swathe of his holdings in the firm over two weeks, with his stake dropping to below 3%.
FCA apologises after life insurance probe
The Financial Conduct Authority has formally apologised following the publication of a damning investigation into its handling of a proposed thematic review into life insurance.
ABI demands clarity on long-term flood defence plans
The Association of British Insurers has called for more information on flood defence spending to allay fears of repercussions impacting Flood Re.
Former Gallagher Insurance Solutions MD follows Wallin to Brightside
The former managing director of Gallagher Insurance Solutions has been named as Brightside’s new commercial director, following the retirement of founder Paul Chase-Gardener.
UK General completes Clydesdale-backed refinancing after handing more power to MDs
Leeds-based insurer UK General has refinanced debts with Clydesdale Bank in a bid to better position the business for growth after handing more power to its schemes, rural and commercial managing directors.
CMA takes Xchanging’s Agencyport purchase to in-depth probe
The Competition and Markets Authority has referred the acquisition of Agencyport by Xchanging for an in-depth investigation after the technology firm failed to respond to a request for reassurance.
Pioneer Special Risk begins New York underwriting
Minova-owned managing general agent Pioneer Special Risk has formally commenced underwriting in New York.
Zurich names Eatock as new SME lead
Zurich has handed a promotion to SME transformation head Jason Eatock, who will now lead the SME unit.
Supply chain communications issues threaten insurers' reputation
Differing methods of communication compares poorly to other sectors
Canopius recruits Zurich’s UK accident and health boss
Canopius has named Zurich’s head of UK accident and health as the divisional underwriter for its own operation.
Trade bodies fight for re-worded clauses to be restored to Insurance Bill
Biba and Airmic address House of Lords' committee in attempt to restore axed clauses
Market Moves - 11 December 2014
All the latest job moves in the insurance market.
FCA reportedly axing bonuses over insurance scandal
The Financial Conduct Authority is set to cancel bonuses for several of its senior executives following leaks over an investigation into the insurance sector, according to the Financial Times.