News
ICA appoints Russell and Troup to its board
The Insurance Council of Australia has appointed David Russell, CEO of RAA Insurance and Helen Troup, managing director, Commonwealth Insurance to its board of directors.
Generali Asia secures option to buy 70% of Malaysia's MPIB
Italian giant Generali has completed the purchase of a 49% stake in Malaysia general insurer Multi-Purpose Insurance to enter its tenth Asian market.
Blanc to focus on 'straightforward' growth plan at Aston Scott
Aston Scott executive chairman Peter Blanc plans to make the business "the best insurance broker" he can by targeting a combination of acquisitions and organic growth over the next five years.
Seventeen Group eyes other deals after Thompson & Partners purchase
Seventeen Group managing director Paul Anscombe has outlined his appetite for further deals after confirming the firm's acquisition of specialist credit and marine broker Thompson & Partners.
Q&A with Aon on increased competition and trends in public sector insurance
The public sector space has been described as one lacking competition and choice when it comes to insurance options.
Markerstudy launches affinity 'super division'
Gibraltar-based personal lines insurer Ultimate Insurance Company co-founder Paul Hampshire will lead a new affinity “super division” launched by Markerstudy Group.
RSA boss Lewis hopeful for Irish division turnaround in 2016
RSA UK and Western Europe CEO Steve Lewis is confident the insurer's Irish business will be moving towards profitability in 2016, but has admitted there is still a lot "heavy lifting" to do in the division.
Peter Blanc becomes exec chair at Aston Scott following MBO
Aston Scott Group has completed a management buyout funded by private equity firm Bowmark Capital.
John Sims to leave AIG
John Sims, the current head of UK private client group at AIG, has decided to leave the business and return to running his insurance consultancy business.
Reserve releases and low cat losses aid 30% rise in Zurich UK GI profits
Zurich’s UK general insurance CEO Vibhu Sharma has described a 30% rise in business operating profit as “the obvious highlight” in his firm’s opening quarter results for 2015.
Esure posts first quarter GWP increase
Esure has reported an increase in gross written premiums for the first three months of 2015 in an interim management statement released today (7 May).
Markel reports 83% Q1 combined ratio
Markel Corporation saw a more than 10 percentage point improvement in its combined ratio for the first quarter of 2015 to 83% from 95% in Q1 2014.
Aviva's Wilson outlines stance on ‘Brexit' ahead of potential referendum
Aviva is keeping a close eye on the proposed European Union membership referendum that would take place under a future Conservative government, with group CEO Mark Wilson playing down the insurer's exposure to such a move.
Telematics performance bolsters RSA personal motor growth in Q1
RSA has attributed “strong performance” in its telematics offering as the driver of 14% growth within its UK personal motor business, which chalked up £57m of net written premiums in the first quarter of 2015 (Q1 2014: £50m).
Mike Fairey joins Hastings as non-exec chair
Hastings Insurance Group has appointed Mike Fairey as its non-executive chairman, effective as on 1 June 2015.
Beazley's Horton hails specialty and US growth
Gross written premiums at Beazley climbed 6% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period last year.
Aviva's UK&I GI Q1 net premiums grow 1%
Aviva's UK and Ireland general insurance combined operating ratio improved marginally in the first three months of 2015 to 98.3% (Q1 2014: 98.6%) while net premiums for the region grew 1%.
Anbang's Belgium acquisition given green light
China's Anbang has completed the purchase of Fidea from JC Flowers after approval from the China Insurance Regulatory Commission.
Zurich blames currency movements for global profits dip
Zurich posted a $174m (£114m based on today's exchange rate) fall in general insurance pre-tax profits to $706m in the first quarter of 2015, a drop of 20%.
Axa's Indian joint venture stake increases approved
The Indian government has approved Axa's application to raise its foreign ownership to 49% from 26% in two insurers for undisclosed sums.
Foreign lorry accidents on UK motorways up 14%
Collisions on UK motorways involving foreign lorries have increased by 14% since 2012, according to statistics from credit hire firm Accident Exchange.
Howden makes care sector acquisitions
Howden has acquired Brighton-based Care Home Insurance Services and PrimeCare, both independent brokers.
Pro Global completes share buyback after staff departure
Pro Global Insurance Services has bought back more than 31,000 in the company after the departure of one of its employees.
DAS removed from S&P's Creditwatch list
Standard and Poors has removed DAS from its negative Creditwatch and affirmed the provider's A rating following a £14m capital injection and improvement in its governance framework.