Europe
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.
Tough motor market contributing to pet insurance interest in Gibraltar
Potential for profit-making, low market penetration and a diversification away from the tough motor market are key factors in "struggling" Gibraltarian insurers looking to enter the UK pet insurance arena, commentators have suggested.
Reinsurance pricing pressure to continue in 2015
Ratings agency AM Best is forecasting reinsurance pricing to remain under pressure in 2015 given continued pressure from alternative capital and the lack of a price-changing event in the past few years.
Ex-airline boss Douglas Steenland named new AIG chairman
AIG has named Douglas Steenland as its new chairman, effective from 1 July when he will succeed Robert Miller.
Europe: How did the Western Sanctions affect the Russian insurance market?
At the end of January the Council of the European Union agreed to extend existing sanctions against Russia. This move comes a year on from the introduction of the first set of sanctions, and now we can estimate its impact on the Russian insurance market.
Exor bid raises doubts over £7.3bn Partner Re and Axis merger
The planned merger between Partner Re and Axis Capital could be dashed following a $6.4bn (£4.3bn) bid by Italian operation Exor to acquire the reinsurer.
Scenario testing required as industry concerns over EU exit increase
Insurance firms are being urged to adopt scenario testing from this year in preparation for the proposed referendum on the UK's European Union membership under a future Conservative government.
Dual launches Netherlands marine operation
Hyperion's underwriter Dual has opened its first Netherlands office writing marine and energy lines.
Europe: From Bolton to Bermuda
Like double decker buses, Bermuda hadn’t had a hurricane make landfall for 27 years – then experienced two in five days. The phenomenon tested loss adjusters at McLarens to the limit
Perils revises loss estimate from windstorm Elon-Felix to €335m
Independent Zurich-based loss data provider Perils has disclosed its second loss estimate for windstorm Elon-Felix which affected Western and Northern Europe from 8 to 11 January 2015.