Scotland
Editor's comment: tying the knot
The rest of the world may remain obsessed by romance or reactionaries but the UK insurance industry has unveiled its own all-consuming love affair this week. Acquisitions abound in the headlines and bullish talk is nothing short of bountiful.
Rural reveals 5% agricultural market share aim
Specialist underwriting agency Rural Insurance is aiming to double its gross written premium and win a 5% share of the agricultural insurance market within three years.
Indie broker strengthens Scottish position
Central Insurance's £2.6m acquisition of Aberdeen broker Collins Halden & Burnett has cemented its position as Scotland's largest independent broker.
Central seals £2.6m acquisition of Aberdeen broker
Central Insurance has acquired Aberdeen-based broker Collins Halden & Burnett in a £2.6m deal.
Allied World plans Glasgow branch after Chubb defection
Magnus McGurk has left his role as Chubb's financial lines boss in Glasgow to join Allied World Europe, with a view to setting up a new operation in the city.
Aspen confirms Scotland boss
Aspen Risk Management has named Annie Watson as the general manager of its Glasgow office.
North of the Border: Damages (Scotland) Bill
The Damages (Scotland) Bill passed the final stage of the Scottish parliamentary process on 3 March 2011. The Bill received Royal Assent on 7 April, after which it will become an Act during the course of the new parliament following elections next month.
Year-long minimum wait for asbestos claimants
More than 1000 Scottish pleural plaques claimants will have to wait until at least mid-2012 before any decision is made on whether they can be compensated for their condition.
Giles £100m corporate target bolstered by wins
Giles Insurance Brokers' efforts to grow its corporate book of business to £100m within 12 to 18 months has been boosted with a series of business wins.
Mitsui confirms expansion into Ireland with Chubb defections
Mitsui Sumitomo at Lloyd’s has confirmed it is to establish branches in Dublin and Belfast as part of its expansion plans.
Editor's comment: The only way is up
Amanda Blanc's radical restructure of Axa's commercial lines business is undoubtedly a bold one. Not only does it leave more than 100 head office staff staring down the barrel of redundancy but her self-imposed deadline to devolve power to regional pens…
Rehabilitation - state of the market: a long road ahead
The UK rehabilitation sector continues to strive to become mainstream. Lynn Rouse reports on remaining barriers and how the journey could unfold.
Legal update - jury trials: judge, jury and compensation
Personal injury claimants in Scotland have long enjoyed the right to a jury trial to determine liability and damages, but record-breaking awards over the past six months has seen their popularity with claimant lawyers surge. Julie Keenan looks at the…
Arista bid to double GWP
Arista Insurance is to target cross-selling opportunities in a bid to double its gross written premium to between £120m and £150m by 2014.
500 to join Ageas in dedicated Tesco centre
Ageas is set to employ 500 staff in its dedicated claims handling office in Newcastle for its Tesco Underwriting venture within the next five years.
Pleural plaques fight set to continue vow insurers
The insurance industry has vowed to continue battling the Scottish government's decision to compensate pleural plaques, despite losing a judicial review in Edinburgh.
Pleural plaques fight set to continue vow insurers - Insurance News Now – 14 April 2011
Post reporter Amy Ellis outlines this week's major general insurance stories which includes the insurance industry’s vow to continue battling the Scottish government’s decision to compensate pleural plaques, despite losing a judicial review in Edinburgh.
Insurers fail in pleural plaques bid
Insurers Axa, Aviva, RSA and Zurich have failed in their efforts to overturn Scottish legislation allowing claims to be brought for asbestos-related conditions, such as pleural plaques.
Willis opens Aberdeen office
Broking giant Willis has opened a new office in Aberdeen.
Post history - 50 years ago: Post history: abstinence insurer wins approval
Looking through Post’s back catalogue paints a unique picture of more than 150 years of insurance news, as this article from 50 years ago reveals.
Towergate shakes up team after Heath Lambert coup
Towergate has rearranged its Scottish management team, after the broker attracted Heath Lambert's former regional head of commercial Mark Webster and his team.
Heath Lambert announces appointments in wake of team departure to Towergate
Heath Lambert has announced some key appointments in Scotland.
Towergate recruits Heath Lambert team in Aberdeen
Towergate Insurance Aberdeen has recruited Mark Webster and his team from Heath Lambert to lead the expansion of its operation.
EC Insurance unveils appointments
EC Insurance has promoted an executive and appointed a business development executive in its Scotland and Northern England operations.