Europe
Christchurch one year on: a forgotten city?
A year on from the earthquakes in New Zealand, while the Christchurch disasters may be slipping out of public consciousness, the work to rebuild the city continues.
XL Group recruits AGCS risk head
XL has appointed Roland Brandt as property underwriting manager for risk management, analytics and innovation for the international region.
Aviva Europe operating profits up 26%
Aviva Europe's general insurance and health operating profit increased by 26% to £137m for the full year 2011.
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.
Arch acquires Ariel Re's Zurich-based credit business
Arch Capital Group is to acquire Ariel Re's Credit & Surety reinsurance operations based in Zurich.
Insurers avoid conviction for Irish data breach
Three insurance companies have avoided criminal convictions for possessing personal information obtained by a private detective from a leak in the Department of Social Protection, according to reports in the Irish press.
Assurant makes senior European appointments
Assurant Solutions today announces the appointments of Graham Luckett as senior compliance officer for Europe and Robert Moorehead-Lane as European chief risk officer.
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.
Countdown to ISE: Q&A with guest speaker Christopher Myers
Christopher Myers, global head of enterprise risk management at Aon Benfield, will be presenting the session on 'Using publicly available information to help profile risk' at Insurance Strategy Europe taking place in Brussels on Wednesday 21 and Thursday…
Chinese 'big offensive' poll
Will insurers launch a big offensive on China now?
Insurance Europe calls for parity between IORPs and insurers
Insurance Europe, the European insurance and reinsurance federation, has spoken out in support of the European Commission's aim to promote a more harmonious approach to the challenges faced by pension systems in EU member states.
Willis appoints Rainbow MD for Willis Re Europe
Willis Re, the reinsurance arm of global broker Willis Group, has appointed David Rainbow to lead the company's European reinsurance business as managing director for Willis Re Europe.
Zurich operating profit down 12%, but net income up 10%
Zurich Financial Services Group reported net income after tax of $3.8bn for the full year 2011, up 10% from $3.8bn in the prior year period.
We need Solvency II now, demands Eiopa director
Policymakers should not let politics impede the implementation of Solvency II regulations, the head of Eiopa has urged.
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…
RSA appoints Evans as group HR director
RSA has appointed Vanessa Evans as group HR director, responsible for HR strategy and teams worldwide.
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.
Prudential departure would be "severe blow", says Tory MEP
The market has been responding to the news that The Prudential, one of the UK's oldest insurance companies, may re-domicile abroad, due to a lack of clarity over how Solvency II will affect its business.
Munich Re transfers US hurricane and European windstorm risks to the capital markets
Munich Re has acquired coverage for US hurricane and European windstorm risks with a total volume of $75m from the special purpose insurer Queen Street V Re Limited, which in turn has placed a catastrophe bond for this amount in the capital markets.
Japan questions EU over impact of Iran sanctions
Japan's government is seeking clarification from the European Union about the implications of its sanctions against Iran for non-EU states, amid fears Japanese ship owners could see cover for voyages to Iran slashed.
RSA IFS and counterparty credit ratings upgraded to 'A+'
General insurer RSA's core operating entities have been upgraded to 'A+' in recognition of the group's strong capitalisation.