Commercial
Thomas charged with maximising Willis' $40bn global premium
Willis Group has appointed David Thomas as director of strategy and transformation within its global businesses division.
HSBC sells GI units to Axa and QBE
Axa and HSBC announced today they have entered into an agreement whereby the French insurance giant would acquire the bank's property and casualty businesses in Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico.
UK government flood cuts may see 'thousands' uninsurable
Thousands of UK businesses are at risk of becoming uninsurable inside three months if the government fails to meet the demands of disgruntled insurers.
UK Drainage Network scoops supply chain award
Independent drainage company the UK Drainage Network has received the Co-operative Insurance Claims Supplier of the Year and Supply Chain Collaboration awards at the RSA.
Swiss Re targets European marine with two new teams
Swiss Re Corporate Solutions has expanded its marine insurance footprint in Continental Europe through the formation of two dedicated underwriting teams in Zurich and Genoa, which will be led by Patrizia Kern-Ferretti and Andrea Cupido, respectively.
Government flood cuts could lead to 'thousands' of uninsurable businesses
Thousands of UK businesses are at risk of becoming uninsurable inside three months if the government fails to meet the demands of disgruntled insurers.
Axa commercial introduces new schemes solution
Axa commercial lines has introduced a new approach to processing delegated authority schemes business that it says will deliver benefits to brokers and their customers.
Insurance Insight – top 10 stories
The top 10 stories from www.insuranceinsight.eu over the past seven days.
Kiln launches into specialist property with appointment in Paris
Kiln has appointed a new underwriter in Paris to focus on a broad range of property facultative reinsurance risks across Europe.
Trade credit – Asian boom
Marsh China recently observed a significant increase in demand for trade credit insurance from Asian firms wanting to protect their balance sheets against the potential default of eurozone trading partners. Francesca Nyman asked several market insiders…
European construction – back to good health?
Construction markets have suffered across the globe with the financial downturn biting hard. Edward Murray investigates whether there are any glimmers of hope for the European market in 2012.
Lloyd's international director quits for CEO role overseas
Jose Ribeiro, director of international markets at Lloyd's, will be leaving in May to take a new chief executive role overseas.
Groupama targets application fraud with data screening process
Groupama is rolling out a new fraud detection system for brokers that targets fraudulent activity at the point of quote.
Asian results help JLT offset difficult European trading period in 2011
Strong retail revenue growth and margins in Asia helped Jardine Lloyd Thompson offset difficult trading environments in Europe and deliver profit before tax of £147.6m for the full-year ending 31 December 2011.
European risk board urged to investigate environmental investment
In an open letter to Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank and chair of the European Systemic Risk Board, a coalition of experts, investors, NGOs and universities have urged the ESRB to investigate how the European Union's exposure to…
Dexia Bank Belgium rebrands as Belfius Bank & Insurance as it reveals 2011 losses
After reporting a net loss of €1,367m after tax for 2011, Dexia Bank Belgium has rebranded as Belfius Bank & Insurance.
Narec joins with Spanish Idermar on offshore energy project
UK renewable energy finance and insurance company Narec Capital has been appointed by Idermar, developer of Europe's leading offshore wind meteorology platform technology, to advise on finance, insurance and UK market entry.
In Series: Emerging Markets - India: a land of opportunity
With the economy in India struggling less than those of its Western counterparts, coupled with a rise in consumerism, the insurance industry has major opportunities open to it
Axa to make £1.2bn revenue in new distribution strategy
Axa Commercial Lines has launched six new products in the first wave delivery of its multi-channel distribution strategy to help brokers compete and grow.
Marsh appoints Lay business development leader international
Broker Marsh has appointed Chris Lay to the newly created position of business development leader for its International division, which comprises all Marsh's operations outside North America.
CEA rebrands as Insurance Europe
The CEA, the European insurance and reinsurance federation, is rebranding to become Insurance Europe.
Novae suffers £6m loss before tax in "torrid year" for general insurance
Specialist insurer Novae has reported an underlying loss before tax of £6m for the year to 31 December 2011 in a "torrid year for the non-life insurance industry" compared to £36.2m profit in 2010.
Experts play down fears of wider trend as two brokers slip into administration
Fears that smaller brokers are coming under increased pressure — after two independent firms slipped into administration in a week — have been downplayed by Eric Galbraith (pictured) who claims "the market is as competitive as ever".
In Series: Emerging Markets - The India of today
With the civil society movement setting the agenda against corruption, and a growing middle class, India is a market ripe for insurers.