Europe
Interview: Alistair Hardie: Getting the message out
Since being named CEO of Cega, Alistair Hardie has been a man on a mission – to take to the rooftops and loudly shout about what the firm can offer customers as part of his bid to grow the business. Post met Hardie eight weeks into his new job to find…
Aviva policyholder demands answers from chairman on French arbitrage life contracts
The French life assurance holder who wants Aviva to honour his fixed-price arbitrage contract has sent an open letter to the insurer's chairman urging him to address four questions he claims were "avoided" at Aviva's annual general meeting in April.
Axa offers free ridesharing cover to Bla Bla Car members
Axa has partnered with ridesharing group Bla Bla Car to offer free insurance cover to its members in the UK and France.
Skuld's 2014 bottom line result drops 53%
Norwegian marine insurer Skuld has reported a bottom line result of $13.5m (£8.5m) for the 2014 financial year; a decrease on its 2013 result of $29m.
Generali loses motor market share in Italy and France
Italian insurer Generali saw a 4.6% property and casualty profit decline in the first quarter after it counted the cost of storms in Italy, Germany and Austria.
SSP hires Swinton's Ron Atkinson as head of insurer relationships
Ron Atkinson has been appointed as head of insurer relationships for global technology house SSP.
RSA appoints former Santander CIO as COO for UK and Western Europe
RSA has appointed Darren McKenzie to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer for the UK & Western Europe.
Civil justice issues in danger of being sidelined by EU referendum
An insurance law firm has warned of a "strong possibility" civil justice reforms will take a back seat under the newly elected Conservative government while it focuses on the proposed 2017 European Union referendum.
Ageas COO Barry Smith to retire
Ageas Group chief operating officer Barry Smith is to retire as of 1 October 2015 and will be succeeded by AG Insurance CEO Antonio Cano.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
XL Catlin begins 'bold new world' marketing campaign
Following the completed merger of XL and Catlin, the combined entity XL Catlin has launched an "insurance for a bold new world" marketing campaign.
Europe: Brokers in Northern Ireland - challenges & opportunities
Recent M&A activity in Northern Ireland has shaken up the region's insurance industry, bringing the future of high street brokers in the province under the microscope.
Collins appointed executive chairman of Hyperion
Dominic Collins, chairman of RK Harrison, has been appointed executive chairman of Hyperion following the completion of the merger between Hyperion and RK Harrison.
Euler Hermes Q1 revenues jump 5.1%
Trade credit insurer Euler Hermes has reported a 5.1% increase in revenues for the three months ended 31 March 2015 to €670m (£478m).
Now Health acquires Best Doctors to increase global footprint
Now Health International's private equity investor the Primary Group has acquired Bermuda-based Best Doctors Insurance.
Product innovation required as global firms face uninsurable risks
Industry experts have highlighted product innovation as a means of addressing the findings of an Aon study that showed six of the top 10 risks impacting global businesses are uninsurable.
Moody's puts Willis' debt rating on negative watch following Gras Savoye deal
Moody's Investors Service has revised the outlook on the BAA3 senior unsecured debt rating of Willis Group and its subsidiaries to negative from stable.
Europe C-Suite: Big data - a real game changer
Big Data is fundamentally changing the world, and while insurers have been quite tardy in coming to the Big Data table compared with others, there is an increasing appetite surrounding the topic.
Willis accelerates acquisition of French giant Gras Savoye
International broker Willis has offered €550m (£392m) to buy the remaining 70% stake it doesn't own of France giant Gras Savoye.