Asia
British Insurance Awards 2011: Global positioning
INSURANCE BROKER OF THE YEAR – WINNER – HOWDEN BROKING GROUP
Aon names aviation head
Aon Risk Solutions (ARS) has appointed David Boyle as head of the aviation team Asia Pacific (Apac) region.
Broker focus - Biba/IIB merger: Let's get together
Following the initial flurry of excitement when Biba and the IIB announced they were in merger talks, Chinwe Akomah talks to the market about their hopes and concerns for new a single body.
Post Europe – BPO: Too far East?
When it comes to business process outsourcing (BPO), the message has always been clear: go east. Although the likes of India, China and the Philippines may be the big hitters in this market, Edward Murray asks if insurers are looking too far east and…
Exclusive BPO, aggregator and renewable energy content
Insurance Insight looks at business process outsourcing in Europe; a glimpse at how the aggregator concept might be received in Europe; and a View from the Top examining the future of renewable energy.
Law firms poised for top-25 merger
Legal bosses from Beachcroft and Davies Arnold Cooper are remaining tight-lipped over merger talks — despite market speculation a decision could be reached within a week.
Barlow and Clyde in merger talks
Law firms Barlow Lyde & Gilbert and Clyde & Co are in advanced merger talks, Post Online sister title Legal Week has revealed.
Barlow and Clyde in merger talks
Law firms Barlow Lyde & Gilbert and Clyde & Co are in advanced merger talks, Post Online sister title Legal Week has revealed.
View from the top: A hard market is coming
I started talking about positive signs of rate movement more than a month ago. While many agreed, not all of the market's 'big three' brokers shared this view. But a few weeks can effect considerable change and now even Aon's soothsayers will probably…
Axa seeks "selective" acquisitions in direct market
Axa has stressed that direct is a “growth engine” in the business in an investors presentation in Paris.
Law change in Japan could override policies
New insurance regulations in Japan could inadvertently heighten the industry's exposure to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami damage and, in some cases, override existing policy wordings, according to a specialist lawyer.
Mapfre and Mitsui extend co-operation agreement
Insurers Mapfre and Mitsui Sumitomo have extended their existing co-operation agreement to include reinsurance and risk consulting services.
Arthur J Gallagher acquires Singapore broker
Arthur J Gallagher has confirmed the opening of a new representative office in Singapore through the acquisition of ITI Solutions, a specialist broking house.
View from the top: A very bad year
Despite reinsurers' initial talk that the Australian floods and the New Zealand & Japanese earthquakes were earnings — not balance sheet — events, and there would be no impact on rates, the chatter has changed recently, with some now actively hinting at…
Interview - Tim Coles: up and at it
After serving in the army, Tim Coles, chief executive of Howden, found fresh excitement in the world of insurance. Mairi MacDonald talks to him about the company's unique attitude and his plans to grow the business further.
QBE sets sights on $5bn PCM target
QBE Europe's property, casualty and motor division has set its sights on becoming a $5bn (£3.03bn) business by the end of 2015. Ash Bathia, PCM chief underwriting officer, said the business is growing from its current premium level of $2.7bn, while still…
Marsh insurance arm sees 21% Q1 growth in Latin America
Marsh & McLennan's risk and insurance services revenue increased 10 percent to $1.6bn in the first quarter of 2011, or 4 percent on an underlying basis, it announced today.
JLT "positive" on start to 2011 after Asian account wins
The year to 27 April has started "positively", JLT reported today, with increased contributions from its businesses in the faster growing economies and, in particular, a number of notable new accounts won in Asia.
Generali granted Vietnamese licence
Generali is to begin operating in Vietnam after the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance granted Generali Group managing director Sergio Balbinot a licence to run life insurance operations in Asia’s second fastest growing economy.
Beazley boss still expects mid 90s COR despite major losses
Lloyd's insurer Beazley this morning said premiums reduced by 3% to $426m (2010 $438m) in the first three months of 2011, with premium rates on renewal business decreasing by 1%.
Fitch affirms Ageas Holding and operating companies
Fitch Ratings has affirmed AG Insurance's Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating at 'A+' and long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'A'.
Markel appoints Asia CUO
Markel has named current London senior underwriter Mark Warrilow as the new chief underwriting officer of Markel International Singapore.
Willis: sufficient coverage harder to retain in politically volatile regions
A report from Willis has revealed that companies operating in politically volatile regions of the world may soon struggle to retain sufficient insurance coverage to protect their assets and staff.
Marine piracy at all time high, with Somalia leading hot spot in Q1 2011
Piracy at sea hit an all-time high in the first three months of 2011, with 142 attacks worldwide, the International Chamber of Commerce International Maritime Bureau’s global piracy report revealed today.