Insurer
Aspen appoints Richard Smart as underwriter
Aspen International Insurance has appointed Richard Smart as professional liability underwriter, based in London.
BLM acquires cyber expert partner
Insurance law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer has appointed Nick Gibbons as a partner in its technology, media and telecommunications practice.
Wesleyan strengthens dental market presence with Practice Plan take-over
Wesleyan Assurance Society has acquired the Practice Plan Group from private equity firm Dunedin.
Brodies makes Matheson partner of insurance and risk division
Professional negligence specialist Alisdair Matheson has been assumed as a partner within the insurance and risk division of Brodies.
AIA strikes deal to become Spurs' cup shirt sponsor
Pan-Asian insurance company AIA Group has entered into an agreement to become English Premier League football club Tottenham Hotspur’s cup shirt sponsor for the forthcoming season.
Sterling appoints Scotland regional manager
Gerard Hamilton has been appointed Scotland regional development manager at Sterling Insurance.
AIA sponsors Tottenham Hotspur for Cup competitions
AIA has agreed to sponsor London-based Premiership football team Tottenham Hotspur for the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup competitions.
Europe: Continental catastrophes
An EC Green Paper proposing harmonisation of catastrophe insurance across Europe has faced strong criticism from the market. Edmund Tirbutt explains why.
Zurich's GI profits and premiums grow in Asia-Pacific
In general insurance, business operating profit at Zurich's Asia-Pacific's operations increased from $101m in the first half of 2012 to $141m in the first half of 2013.
Zurich's results hit by floods in Europe
Zurich has reported a business operating profit of $2.3bn for the first half of the year (till 30 June), down 9% over the same period in 2012, and a net income attributable to shareholders of $1.9bn, down 17%.
PMI players to roll out extended cover as NHS standards slip
Private medical insurers have vowed to take advantage of declining confidence in the National Health Service by extending their cover, offering higher payouts and providing more innovation.
Strong growth for Singapore's life sector
Singapore's life sector grew very strongly in the first half of 2013.
FSB launches consultation on resolution regimes for insurers
The Financial Stability Board today launched a public consultation on the application of the Key Attributes of effective resolution regimes for non bank institutions.
Axa concedes ahead of third Autofocus retrial
Axa has reached a settlement with credit hire firm Accident Exchange on a retrial on credit hire rates just hours before it was due to appear in court in Manchester.
Post magazine – 15 August 2013
This week's issue of Post is now available to subscribers.
Higos hires UK General's schemes sales manager
Higos Insurance Services has bolstered its its team with the appointment of Ralph Hann as schemes manager.
SME flood cover in doubt as Biba battles for its inclusion in Flood Re
Industry-backed affordable flood insurance was never intended to cover small businesses, according to the Association of British Insurers.
Willis weeks away from major deals with London market insurers
Plans by Willis to launch a scheme similar in structure to the deal that saw Aon team up with Berkshire Hathaway come amid criticism of such arrangements.
Talanx achieves 10% increase in GWP in H1
German insurance giant Talanx Group achieved a 10% increase in gross written premiums in the first half of 2013 to €15bn.
Motor sector cites rates and reforms as COR soars
Motor insurers have bemoaned the impact of rock-bottom rates on their first-half figures, prompting some industry leaders to rule out further rate reductions in the second half of the year.
Market fears unrated insurers could take advantage as XL cuts solicitors’ PI book
XL’s withdrawal from the solicitors’ professional indemnity market for smaller firms has sparked fears that some companies could be pushed further into the arms of unrated carriers.
Groupama sells Soc Gen stake
Groupama has sold its remaining 1.86% stake in Societe General for €517.8m (£445.2m).
Editor's comment: Bad gambles see millions dropped
While the average 2.2 million viewers of The Million Pound Drop often urge contestants to take a gamble, they are well aware of one vital rule that it seems some insurers have forgotten: if you are not 100% sure of the answer, the only way to proceed is…
Ecclesiastical awarded chartered insurer status
Specialist insurer Ecclesiastical has today been handed chartered status for its entire UK operation by the Chartered Insurance Institute.