Reinsurance
India's long-awaited opportunity
India’s general insurance sector looks set for a flurry of activity following a long-awaited change in the law allowing foreign companies to increase the stakes they hold in local firms, writes Nicky Burridge.
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.
Reinsurers eye greater share of primary business as rate pressure continues
Global reinsurers are increasingly looking to shift their portfolios towards primary business in the face of continued rate pressure, according to an AM Best report.
Peak Re's premiums up 280% in 2014
Hong Kong-based reinsurer Peak Re saw its gross written premiums climb 280% last year from $103.1m (£69.4m) in 2013 to $288.1m.
Flood Re appoints former Canopius head of capital
Gary McInally has been appointed as chief actuary for government-backed flood scheme Flood Re.
C-Suite - Broker: Reinsurers in this new world
Reinsurers should stick to their core values of serving stakeholders, says David Flandro executive vice-president – global head of strategic advisory at JLT Re.
Opportunities to innovate in Asia-Pacific, says Aon Benfield
Aon Benfield believes there is room for growth in specialty lines and product innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Hobrow helps Nexassure ready Hong Kong MGA
Insurance entrepeneur Tony Hobrow is helping Malaysia insurance firm Nexassure establish a reinsurance MGA in Hong Kong.
Hiscox eyes bolt-on acquisitions to boost growing retail book
Hiscox is keen to complete more bolt-on acquisitions as it looks to continue growing its retail book, according to chief underwriting officer Richard Watson.
Munich Re leads Pool Re's £1.8bn reinsurance programme
Government-backed terror scheme Pool Re has purchased reinsurance in the commercial market for the first time in its history.
Amlin profits hit by reduced reserve releases and investment return
A combination of condensed reserve releases and a dip in investment return last year has been blamed for a £67m fall in profit before tax at Amlin.
Lloyd's recruits Asia-Pacific broker head
Lloyd's has appointed Chris Rummery in a newly created role - senior market development manager for Asia-Pacific.
China's solvency regime to provide mixed blessings for reinsurers, says Peak Re
Hong Kong-based reinsurer Peak Re believes new risk solvency regime will modernise China's market after an initial period of pain for insurers.
Willis lines up 49% stake in India's Almondz
Willis has agreed to purchase a 49% stake in Almondz Insurance Brokers subject to the Indian foreign investment cap being increased by Parliament.
Guy Carpenter looks to Willis for analytics head
Matthew Eagle has been appointed international analytics head for Marsh reinsurance arm Guy Carpenter.
Brit to operate on 'decentralised basis', says Fairfax CEO
Fairfax Finance CEO and chairman Prem Watsa has hailed Brit's "outstanding" 10 year track record Following the firm's 305p a share offer for the insurer.
Suncorp's reinsurance "issue" could cost £60m
Australian financial services group Suncorp has been advised there is a potential issue with its recovery of catastrophe losses from its 2011 reinsurance programme.
Profits rise at Aspen as COR heads south
Aspen Insurance Holdings recorded a year-on-year improvement in net income after tax to $355.8m (£232.4m) for the year ending 31 December 2014, compared to $329.3m in 2013.
Cedants less likely to transfer business to reinsurers, says AM Best
Europe’s 20 largest cedants are benefitting from lower reinsurance rates and stronger bargaining power according to ratings agency AM Best.
Markel to offer reinsurance on Lloyd's China platform
Markel International is to offer treaty and facultative reinsurance on Markel's Syndicate 3000 at the Lloyd's China platform in Shanghai.
Munich Re's profits fell 3% in 2014
Reinsurance giant Munch Re's chief financial officer heralds 'robust earnings strength' despite a fall in profits for 2014 and a drop in property and casualty volume at renewals.
Peak Re hires Barclays M&A specialist
Hong Kong based reinsurer Peak Re appears to be on the look out for acquisitions with new recruit.
India's Insurance Bill could open door for Lloyd's
Lloyd's is keen for India's long awaited Insurance Bill to be ratified by Parliament.
Miranthis steps down as Partner Re's CEO
As a result of the proposed $11bn (£7.3bn) merger of Axis Capital and Partner Re, Partner Re's CEO Costas Miranthis has stepped down after four years in charge.