Scotland
Market moves - 20 October 2011
This week the main movers and shakers were loss adjusters, with Davies, Woodgate & Clark and Advanta all making major appointments.
Market moves: Brokers pick up the pace
Following a quiet fortnight, major players in the broking sector have actively been recruiting this week.
ABI director hits out at pleural plaques ruling
The ABI director of general insurance and health has been quick to register his disappointment following today’s Supreme Court ruling that the Scottish Parliament acted within its powers in making pleural plaques compensatable.
Ex-KPMG insurance leader joins RSA as NED
RSA has appointed Alastair Barbour to its board as a non-executive director as of today.
Bruce Stevenson boosts private clients
Scottish broker Bruce Stevenson has promoted Mark Richards, the former managing director of auction house Bonhams, to be director of its private clients team raising the importance of high net worth business.
Ecclesiastical to rebuild Scottish ring
Ecclesiastical has secured the return of an amethyst stone from a Church of Scotland ceremonial ring.
Market moves: Insurers lead the recruitment charge
With the final quarter of the year kicking off this week insurers were the most active recruiters with a raft of hires and promotions. XL Insurance added three new members of staff to its burgeoning team in Europe, while a number of other players seized…
North of the border: UK-wide outbreak of common sense?
After reviewing the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Lord Young made the point that, despite significant progress and the undoubted success of the Act, the standing of health and safety in the eyes of the public has never been lower. There is a growing…
Questgates grows its counter fraud team
Loss adjuster Questgates has made three new appointments to its counter fraud division field force.
Comment - Civil litigation: You’re part of the problem
When the insurance industry launches a campaign to reform our “broken civil litigation system” it predictably wheels out dodgy statistics – including that complete nonsense of a report from Frontier Economics again — and dubious ‘facts’. It conveniently…
QBE announces Glasgow Warriors sponsorship
QBE has signed an agreement to become the official insurance partner of Glasgow Warriors.
Central and Hiscox target charities
Central Insurance, one of Scotland’s biggest independent insurance brokers, has joined forces with specialist business insurer Hiscox to launch a comprehensive charity policy.
Post history – 50 years ago: More floods prove need for cover
Looking through Post’s back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this highlight from 50 years ago reveals.
Broker Reich buys Glasgow's Surenet
Independent broker Reich Insurance has bought Glasgow-based broker Surenet Agency, Reich’s second acquisition in two months. It follows the addition of Bolton broker D. Barnett to its network.
North of the Border: lack of consensus on cost reform
How quickly and cost-effectively will future claims in the Scottish courts be dealt with? The Gill review of Scotland's civil court system sought to provide a comprehensive answer to this question but has yet to be implemented.
Towergate Scotland appoints MD
Towergate Insurance in Scotland has appointed Gordon Crosbie as managing director of its Perth and Stirling businesses.
NFU fraud manager jailed for £410 000 scam
NFU Mutual's financial crime manager has said the insurer has a "zero tolerance" stance against fraud, after one of its fraud managers was jailed for three years and four months after conning it out of £410 000 over six years.
Commercial insurance reform back on agenda
The Law Commission has turned its attention to reforming commercial insurance pre-contract law after confirming a second consultation paper will be published this winter.
Insurers feel the pressure of rising motor claims costs
The increasing cost of motor insurance is putting more financial pressure on insurers, who last year paid out £1.24 for every £1 collected in premiums.
Green Insurance plants one millionth tree
Scotland's Environment and Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson planted a sapling Rowan tree to commemorate one million trees planted by The Green Insurance Company as part of a carbon offsetting scheme.
North of the Border: review of expenses and funding of civil litigation in Scotland
Following the Jackson review of costs in England and Wales, the Scottish government has launched its own review of expenses and funding of civil litigation north of the border. This review was one of the measures recommended by Lord Gill's Report of the…
Axa Commercial names branch managers
Axa Commercial Lines has appointed new managers for its eight UK branches.
North of the Border: judicial awards in fatal claims
After six months of consistently increased Scottish civil jury damages awards for fatalities, Bellingham & Others v James Todd has now demonstrated the prospective impact on judicial awards.
Lloyds seeks GI partner to focus on banking
Lloyds Banking Group is expected to seek a joint venture partner for its general insurance business amid strong speculation that it is gearing up to dispose of its Edinburgh-based life and pensions business Scottish Widows.