Mergers & acquisitions (M&A)
Tatton returns to market with insurance debt vehicle
The former chief executive of Irish health insurer VHI and founder of Vivas, Oliver Tattan, has launched a debt financing firm for European insurers.
Markel enters Germany with Anglo buy
Markel International has taken a 50% stake in Munich-based Anglo Underwriting with an option to acquire the remaining 50% by 2017.
Fairfax takes 25% Thai Re stake
Financial services company Fairfax is to acquire approximately 25% of the issued and outstanding shares of Thai Re in a deal worth approximately $70m.
Barbican makes fresh Omega bid
Barbican sent a letter to rival Omega this week outlining a “merger of equals”.
Arle completes CSG sale and acquires new partner
Arle Capital Partners has sold Capital Safety Group for an enterprise value of $1.12bn (£72m) in a deal which will see former CSG chief executive Anders Pettersson join Arle as a partner.
Talanx and KBC reach €770m agreement on Warta
KBC group has reached an agreement with Talanx International AG for the sale of 100% of the shares of KBC's Polish insurance subsidiary TUiR Warta for a total consideration of €770m.
Axa SA and Ace believed to be vying for HSBC
Axa SA and Ace are believed to be in the final running for HSBC Holdings’s non-life insurance operations.
AIA tipped to make $6bn ING bid
AIA Group may make a bid for the $6bn Asian insurance operations of ING Groep, according to reports.
Editor's comment: Tempting fate on features
Commissioning editorial copy can be a bit like tempting fate. This week’s broker-focused feature on mergers and acquisitions reflected back over 2011 as its starting point, when first conceived a couple of months ago, with a writer assigned to analyse…
News analysis: Groupama UK up for sale — but who will buy the group?
Will Groupama be sold lock, stock and barrel or broken into an insurer and its broker parts?
Hyperion courts Windsor as it takes firm steps towards flotation
The proposed acquisition of Lloyd’s broker Windsor by international broking and underwriting group Hyperion could lead to additional takeover deals in 2012, and would bolster the latter’s chances of initial public offering success, following confirmation…
Broking - Mergers & acquisitions: Do not disturb
2011 was a relatively sleepy year for merger & acquisition activity in the broker sector. Could 2012 be a wake-up call or will the market stay snoozing?
Capital adequacy: Alternative finance
With Solvency II just 12 months away, and 2011 an unprecedented catastrophe year, how difficult will it be for insurers to attract equity or secure alternative funding?
Employment: Hiring and firing
There are two sides to the recruitment story in the insurance industry — while some are reducing their headcount, others are looking to bring in fresh faces.
Hyperion boss eyes market opportunities following year of growth
Hyperion is in prime position to target acquisitions and consider a stock market flotation after announcing organic growth of 18% last year.
Groupama for sale after ‘grand cru’ year
Groupama’s UK chief executive officer François-Xavier Boisseau, pictured, has told staff in the insurer and its broker subsidiaries that the company is for sale after “unsolicited approaches”.
Philippines non-life market expected to consolidate in wake of new capital requirements
The local Philippine's insurance representative body has noted that some local non-life insurers may have challenges meeting the government's new paid up capital requirements.
Editor's comment: Battle of the brands
From scrap yards to scrap heaps. Last week, the industry was getting agitated about the soaring problem of metal theft, while this week it’s more a sad tale of two well-known insurance names finding themselves destined only for the brand graveyard.
Expert analysis: Relatively calm
Although competition remains fierce in the aggregator arena, the rush for volume has slowed as the motor market moves closer to break-even point, says Tom Cooper, Igo4.
Colosso exits Gallaghers amid growth-driven exec restructure
Arthur J Gallagher International has confirmed that Adrian Colosso, chief executive of UK Retail and former CEO of Heath Lambert prior to its acquisition, will not return to the business following his sabbatical, as it unveiled a new-look executive team…
Hyperion confirms Windsor takeover talks
Hyperion has confirmed that it is in discussions with Lloyd’s broker Windsor over a potential takeover deal.
Hyperion in takeover talks with Windsor
Hyperion Group is currently in discussions with Windsor Limited regarding a potential offer for the company.
MMA to rebrand as Covéa as part of UK merger with Provident
Covéa has announced that Provident Insurance and MMA Insurance will merge into a single company, in a move which has been touted as a “platform for growth” within the UK market.
Reader to unite MMA and Provident
Covéa has appointed Provident’s managing director James Reader to the role of chief executive at the newly merged businesses of Provident and MMA.