Commercial
Fallout of Merlin collapse threatens contractors
Contractors are considering redundancies and stand to lose thousands of pounds as a result of Merlin's slide into administration.
Adjusters grow unattractive to private equity houses
Private equity houses are growing increasingly cautious about investing in loss adjusters, and one firm has already written down its investment in the market by millions, Post can reveal.
Insurers duck Admiral warning on 'killer' referral fees
Insurers have reiterated their support for the scrapping of referral fees, following remarks made by Admiral chief executive Henry Engelhardt that the incoming ban will be a "killer" for his competitors.
Direct Line Group posts 7% profit increase in first results as standalone
As the deadline for Direct Line Group's anticipated flotation approaches, the insurance business posted a 7% jump in operating profit to £224.2m for the first six months of the year and revealed it has set a target of 15% return on tangible equity.
Foil backs ABI's stance on 'illogical' damages rise
The Court of Appeal's decision to effectively bring forward a 10% rise in damages from April has been branded "illogical" by the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, echoing concerns already raised by the Association of British Insurers.
Editor's comment: Rebuilding and reshuffling
Only last week, Zurich's personal lines chief Karl Bedlow was telling Post readers that agility is the difference between a gold medal and last place in his 'View from the top' column.
Interview: Carl Beardmore - from vision to fruition
BMS chief executive Carl Beardmore believes he is on track in transforming a broker that was 'flat lining' into a company generating more than £100m a year.
Industry to feel effects of Cabinet reshuffle after Treasury chief exit
The departure of Mark Hoban from his Treasury post as finance secretary will affect the progress of all areas of insurance-related issues, according to industry insiders.
Post magazine - 6 September 2012
The latest issue of Post is now available to subscribers as a digital and interactive e-book.
Barbon MD joins Giles
Barbon has lost group managing director Nick Sharp, pictured, to Giles Insurance Brokers where he has joined as executive director.
Direct Line confirms redundancies
Direct Line Group has confirmed approximately 890 proposed redundancies across the business as part of a drive to cut costs by £100m.
Commercial properties to become squatter target, policyholders warned
Commercial property owners have been warned that more squatters could attempt to bed down in their unoccupied buildings now that it is a criminal offence to trespass on residential properties.
BP accused of "gross negligence" over Deepwater Horizon
BP has disputed accusations of "gross negligence and wilful misconduct" by the US Justice Department over the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.
Keelan Westall boosts underwriting team with new starters
Wholesale property insurance broker Keelan Westall has set out to strengthen its technical expertise with a series of key appointments within its underwriting agency.
Quindell to support substantial growth with further outsourcing deals
Quindell chief executive Rob Terry is targeting bottom line growth of up to 25% over each of the next five years, after his firm increased revenue from £1.8m last year to £45.6m in the first half of 2012.
Webinar - 6 September, 3:00pm: Analysing emerging fraud trends
As legislation and industry initiatives make conventional types of fraudulent claims more detectable, insurance fraud is constantly taking new forms.
Kiln brings in property underwriter to support Europe focus
Kiln has recruited a new property underwriter in Frankfurt to write a range of property and facultative risks across Europe.
Autonet joins The Insurers' car insurance panel
Autonet Insurance has joined the car insurance panel with UK comparison site The Insurers, adding to its existing presence on the van and bike panel with the aggregator.
VRS and Woodgate & Clark lead the way in Loss Adjusting Awards 2012 shortlist
The shortlist for the 2012 Loss Adjusting Awards is now live.
RBS' Van Saun joins Lloyd's Franchise Board
Lloyd's has appointed Bruce Van Saun to independent non-executive director on the Lloyd's Franchise Board.
ABI to contest legal decision to bring forward 10% damages rise
The Association of British Insurers has requested a review of the Court of Appeal's decision to bring forward a rise in damages by 10% from April next year.
AGCS boosts Africa footprint with new hire
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty is to establish a local presence in sub-Saharan Africa with the appointment of Delphine Maidou, pictured, as chief executive of its regional subsidiary AGCS of Africa.
Liberty Mutual names Manchester broker manager
Liberty Mutual’s commercial lines division has appointed Richard Chapman, pictured, to broker account manager for its Manchester operation.
Towergate confirms departure of Broker Network MD Houghton
Towergate has this morning confirmed Broker Network and Countrywide managing director Nick Houghton has resigned after revealing his intention to run an independent broking business.