Insurer
FSA authorisation time for new firms still on the up
The amount of time the Financial Services Authority takes to approve new firms has risen for a third consecutive quarter, according to data seen by City law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.
Posner would consider another role
Following his decision to step down from his board position at QBE, Howard Posner has told Post that "winding down" was always his long-term plan.
Hardy leaves CEO role at Axa
Steve Hardy has stepped down as chief executive of Axa Personal Lines.
Executive chairman retires from Cooper Gay energy division
Tony Pickering is retiring as executive chairman of the energy division at insurance intermediary Cooper Gay & Co.
Zurich appoints Butt as head of sales
Zurich has appointed Valerie Butt as head of sales, distribution and marketing for global corporate, effective 1 July.
Posner steps down from QBE board
Former Halifax Bank of Scotland general insurance boss Howard Posner has retired as a non-executive director of QBE European Operations after six years.
QBE appoints new non-executive director
Business specialist QBE has appointed Wai Au as non-executive director of its Lloyd's operation QBE Underwriting and its UK company market and European branch operations, QBE Insurance.
Legrand joins MDS as chief operating officer
MDS Holdings, the European and Latin American insurance broking group, is setting its sights on entering new international markets outside its current Portuguese, Angolan and Brazilian territories.
Moss exit and senior management shake-up keep Aviva rating under review
Aviva's financial strength rating of A (excellent) has been reviewed and maintained by AM Best Europe while remaining under review with negative implications.
Direct Line rolls out telematics offering
Following a pilot with sister firm Tracker to test the use of telematics in retail motor insurance, Direct Line is offering a telematics product to customers.
Indian health insurance market predicted to be worth $7.6bn by 2015
One in 10 people in India could end up buying health insurance products against the current 2%, according to a new survey.
Mapfre Re downgraded amid fears over future of Spanish economy
Mapfre Group’s reinsurance arm’s issuer credit rating has been downgraded by AM Best Europe following an assessment of the consolidated group’s financial strength and ongoing risks in the Eurozone.
Sri Lanka general insurance market grew 23.45% in 2011, says regulator
The gross written premium of Sri Lanka's insurance sector rose 18.5% year on year to Rs.66.2bn (£300m) in 2011, with the general and life insurance segments recording substantial growth, according to the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka.
Ex-RSA director Lawton to head up Towergate broking division
Towergate has confirmed the capture of former RSA mid-market director Mike Lawton as chief executive of the firm’s broking division.
Willis Re appoints regional director for APAC and ME
The reinsurance arm of broker Willis Group today appointed Kieran Angelini-Hurll as regional director of its Indian Sub-Continent, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey operations.
Barnier "hopeful" of political agreement on Solvency II
Despite "rapid progress" being made, Solvency II may not apply from 1 January 2014 if political consensus is not reached in the next few weeks, according to Michel Barnier.
Member governments renew catastrophe insurance policy with Caribbean risk pool
All 16 member governments of the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility will renew their hurricane and earthquake insurance for 2012 to 2013.
RSA makes acquisition in Quebec
RSA has acquired L'Union Canadienne Compagnie D'assurances from Co-operators General Insurance Company.
RSA's Canadian arm acquires Quebec-based P&C insurer
Home, motor and business insurer RSA Canada has agreed to acquire L'Union Canadienne, a Quebec-based intermediated P&C insurer, from its parent company Co-operators General Insurance Company for C$150m pending regulatory approval.
Former Aon VP to head up Swiss Re Asia Pacific
Swiss Re Corporate Solutions has appointed Ted Hodgkinson as head of Asia Pacific.
Ex-Liberty Mutual CFO joins White Oak Underwriting
Lloyd's-based White Oak Underwriting Agency has appointed Graham Ward as finance director.
Europa to delist following acquisition
Talanx International AG and Japanese insurer Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company have successfully closed their joint acquisition of the Polish Europa Insurance Group.
Weil grabs Marsh CEO role
Mark Weil has been announced as Martin South's successor as chief executive of Marsh's UK and Ireland operations.
A survivor's guide to a Eurozone breakup
The Eurozone is experiencing instability that could threaten its very existence. As the possibility of a break up edges ever closer, insurers and other financial institutions must be ready to act, explains Robert Hall.