Post - 2010-04-22
Articles in this issue
Towergate creates two PLCs and appoints IPO specialist
The Towergate Partnership has instructed an international corporate law firm to help it oversee a financial restructuring of the business including the formation of two "public-limited company" operations, Post has learnt.
Capita insurance chief quits after six months with 'job done'
Capita's Matthew Briggs is poised to leave the outsourcing firm less than six months into his role as chief executive of the insurance services division.
Volcano fallout not expected to hit insurers
Insurers are unlikely to have significant exposure to billions of dollars in lost revenue caused by the eruption of an Icelandic volcano, industry experts have claimed.
Waiting game for Quinn staff over UK comeback
Quinn Insurance should discover whether it can begin underwriting UK business again by the end of the week, Post understands.
Broker dumps Willis and undergoes MBO
Glasgow broker Orr Kerr Dykes has expanded its operations with the opening of a sales branch in Stirling following the completion of a management buyout.
Aviva pensions proposal
Aviva has entered a consultation with its UK employees, including RAC staff, regarding proposals to end its final salary pension scheme.
Car insurance rises again
The price of car insurance rose by 4.3% during the first quarter of 2010, research by Confused and EMB has shown.
White Oak planted
White Oak Underwriting Agency has commenced underwriting, initially targeting the automobile and mobile equipment industries.
Apil chief to warn members over Jackson
The next 12 months will be "critical" for personal injury lawyers and their clients, according to the new president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
Mutuals welcome Lib Dems manifesto nod
The Association of Financial Mutuals has welcomed the Liberal Democrats' vow to support the mutual sector in playing a larger role in the future of financial services, if the party forms part of a new government.
Angel purchase to give Catlin SME boost
Catlin has signalled its intent to increase its regional small to medium-sized enterprise footprint following the acquisition of Colchester-based managing general agent Angel Underwriting.
Top 5 Post stories
The top five most popular stories on postonline.co.uk over the last week were:
Mixed response to volcano
Travel insurers, including Mondial Assistance and Virgin Money are refusing to pay out after the Icelandic ash cloud, classing it as an "act of God" or "natural disaster".
Dawson Whyte pub gig
Belfast-based broker Dawson Whyte has been appointed to provide support to members of Northern Irish pub body, The Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade.
Editor's comment: Industry must not lose face under ash cloud
The volcanic ash that has grounded many passengers over the last week has certainly thrown the insurance industry into the spotlight again. With thousands of flights cancelled and people left stranded all over the world, the issue of travel insurance…
MGA chief scoffs at PI 'lemmings'
Lloyd's insurer Amlin has backed a new underwriting agency which has been set up by the former chief executive of HCC International, Charles Manchester.
Allianz claims manager is Bicma president
The Bodily Injury Claims Management Association has named Bob Rabbitts as its new president after Norman Cottingham stood down.
Insurers urged to keep up pressure
Lloyd's has warned there is still "more to do" to drive down the Solvency II capital requirements despite the European Commission's move to ease the burden under the latest quantitative impact study.
View from the top: Exceeding expectations
The debate over short-termism and shareholder value that has been echoing around the nation's boardrooms of late, could and should have a profound impact on the way we promote customer service.
Little loyalty in online motor
More than 80% of online motor insurance customers plan to shop around at renewal according to research by Accenture that shows these insurance buyers are becoming less loyal and more price-sensitive.
Fusion gears up for launch
Towergate-owned underwriter Fusion is to launch a continuity offering as part of its wider business interruption risk management service.
Credit hire bodies to merge
Members of the Accident Management Association and National Association of Credit Hire Operators have agreed to a planned merger after they were consulted on proposals.
Capita to merge buys to create niche giant
Capita Insurance Services is aiming to become the largest niche motor broker in the UK, according to the managing director of its most recent acquisition Sureterm Direct.
Broker gets Brain in gear
Former Bluefin director Gordon Brain has joined Henderson Insurance Brokers as group broking director, based at the company's Leeds head office.
Marsh gets ex-Willis two
Marsh has bolstered its Maidstone office with a raid on rival Willis.
CCV buys Paul Scully
Cullum Capital Ventures has acquired East Sussex intermediary Paul Scully Insurance Brokers.
Willis extends Coverpoint technology deal to PI and D&O
Willis has extended its 'pay as you go' agreement for the placement and distribution of low value, high volume business with technology partner Coverpoint.
Pavey Group buys rival and aims for growth
Exeter-based broker Pavey Group plans to "aggressively grow" its commercial business, after acquiring the commercial team and clients of fellow Exeter broker RK Shipman.
10 new partners at Clyde
Clyde & Co has promoted 10 partners, effective from 1 May 2010.
Rainbow to pass BDMA
Rainbow International has launched an initiative guaranteeing that all its insurance restoration work will be carried out to exceed British Damage Management Association standards.
SLS appoints Shaw
Crawford company SLS has appointed Phil Shaw as a technical manager at its Droitwich office.
Sunderland tops ID fraud
Sunderland has topped a list of 121 areas in the UK most affected by ID fraud, according to research published by Callcredit Information Group.
Inter Resolve plots path after £30m VC backing
Personal injury claims specialist Inter Resolve is poised to grow after receiving a multi-million pound investment from venture capital firm Balderton Capital.
Council admits Corby clean-up mistakes
Corby Borough Council has reached an out of court settlement with 19 young people who accused the authority of causing bodily injury by a negligent clean-up of a former steel plant.
ABI backs PI lawyer involvement in ELTO
The Association of British Insurers has welcomed the idea of involving personal injury lawyers' data in the Employers' Liability Tracing Office, despite reservations from the legal profession.
QBE to trial psych testing
QBE is to trial behavioural assessment firm Thomas International in a bid to improve the risk management of its fleet driver clients.
Interview - Matthew Reed: Ship shape and Bristol fashion
Power Place chief executive Matthew Reed took a circuitous route into the insurance industry, after a stint in the Navy. Mairi MacDonald asks him about his plans for the firm and how he intends to drive the business forward.
It pays to be socially aware
Pancentric head of digital strategy James Prebble talks to Post about how social media is changing the world.
Regional Review - Glasgow: Local strength
With significant activity already in 2010 and the emergence of a new financial district, the Glasgow insurance market looks set for further growth. Mairi MacDonald assesses the financial landscape in Scotland's largest city.
Rehabilitation: Back on track
Early intervention with rehabilitation can cut the cost of sickness absence as well as insurance claims. Leigh Jackson asks whether new developments will kick start renewed interest and take up of services in the UK.
Claims - apps: Appy days
With one million Iphones in existence, apps are all the rage. Amy Ellis investigates the insurance market's attempts to utilise this channel and asks if a more considered approach is needed to really meet customers' needs.
SME Affinity: Learning to fly
The SME sector may well be worth £9bn, but for non-insurance brands it is proving a tough affinity market to crack. Alistair Hardie explains how micro-commercial can be made profitable for all.
Law Reports: Claimant fails to shift blame in electrocution judgment
Paul Tyrone Mann v Northern Electric Distribution (Court of Appeal — 26 February 2010)
Law Reports: Case bucks current trend for anxiety and stress payouts
Eribo v Odunaiya and Logic Plough Property (Queen's Bench Division — 19 February 2010)
Law reports: Contributory negligence ruling is overturned at appeal
Osei-Antwi v South East London & Kent Bus Company (Court of Appeal — 19 January 2010)
Lloyd's gears up for launch of comprehensive career schemes
Initiatives are well under way at Lloyd's to enhance its educational offerings. Lynn Rouse details the latest projects designed to boost career and competency development.
Defaqto
Defaqto has appointed Zahid Bilgrami as chief operating officer, with a view to driving performance improvements, inorganic growth and operational excellence.
Oxygen appoints new head of affinity
Oxygen Insurance Brokers has appointed Steve Johnson as head of affinity.
RFIB
RFIB Group has appointed Karl Haynes as director of international claims.
Postscript 30 years ago: Mancunian speaks out over fraud
The Manchester Marine Insurance Association had its 76th annual general meeting last month. Its outgoing chairman, Mr H E Wright of Eagle Star made some pungent comments that are worthy of record in this day and age of supertanker scuttlings and the rest.
10 years ago: Service standards are blasted
Today's London insurance market has "completely unacceptable service standards", with both documentation and claims payments far too slow.
Penny Black's insurance week
Penny was intrigued to discover the re-emergence of an age-old rumour this week, Morrisons is, apparently, back on the radar of insurers.