Specie
New year, new shape of the City for insurers
As Lloyd’s stays put in Lime Street and Aviva kicks off 2024 in a new City HQ, Emma Ann Hughes examines how insurers are reshaping the square footage they occupy in the Square Mile.
Optio appoints David Robinson as managing director
Specialty managing general agent Optio has appointed David Robinson as managing director.
Ardonagh Specialty expands cross-class follow-capacity solution to $600m
Ardonagh Specialty has expanded its cross-class follow-capacity solution to include Price Forbes’ property business, Post can reveal.
Interview: Andrew Wallin, Ardonagh Specialty
Ardonagh buying the insurance operations of BGC Partners was a “rocket fuel moment” for both organisations with opportunities abounding after the deal which doubled the size of the specialty business, according to Ardonagh Specialty CEO Andrew Wallin.
Intelligence: Fine art - Putting insurers in the picture
Fine art is a very traditional and discreet market, with lack of data making it hard to price risk accurately. Valerie Hart explores how IT solutions could lead to greater transparency and insurers making more informed decisions.
Allianz in Uber tie-up; Assured Partners acquires SW broker; BGL and Covea to launch new direct brand; and Twelve Capital/Eos unveil insurtech focused growth fund
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches and investments of the week
Q&A: Julian Radcliffe, Art Loss Register and Watch Register
Julian Radcliffe, founder and chairman of the Art Loss Register, explains how the Watch Register – the ALR's dedicated service for the watch trade – is working with insurers and law enforcement to find stolen watches and catch thieves and fraudsters.
Analysis: Insuring NFTs
Non-fungible tokens have soared in value and popularity but insurance protection for the digital assets remains up in the air.
Briefing: Tracking the Ardonagh Portfolio Solutions and Beazley deal
The recently announced tie-up between Ardonagh Portfolio Solutions and Beazley is most immediately of interest to those with a London Market leaning. However, there are potential future implications for the UK retail market.
For the record: Brightside sold to Markerstudy; Aviva acquires Axa XL HNW team; Aston Lark buys Bruce Stevenson and Inflexion invests in broking again
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches and investments of the week
Marine premium growth of 50% in next 10 years an opportunity for London, says Munich Re
The $30bn premium global marine market could reasonably grow to $45bn in the next ten years according to Rob McAdams, head of marine at Munich Re Syndicate.
Analysis: ERS goes commercial
Broker-only motor insurer ERS has the chance to make its mark in the commercial sector but will need to recruit well and target niche larger risks.
Blog: Fine art and specie fraud under Covid-19
Being alive to fraud is one of the cornerstones of investigating insurance claims and this is no different when it involves fine art and specie, writes Criterion fine art and specie claims specialist Sean Ball.
London company market premiums written in Europe on the rise
Gross premiums written in London by the company market increased 6.7% in 2018, reaching £19.56bn, according to the International Underwriting Association.
Markel appoints wholesale and national markets claims leaders
Markel International has promoted three of its claims leadership team, with a view to giving parts of the business more specialised management.
Catlin founder launches PE-backed specialty insurer Convex
Stephen Catlin and Paul Brand, both formerly executives at the Lloyd’s insurer that bore Catlin’s name, have launched a new specialty insurer and reinsurer with $1.8bn (£1.4bn) in initial capital.
Marsh stresses client focus as JLT integration gets underway
Lucy Clarke, president of newly-operational Marsh JLT Specialty, has promised clients “an unmatched depth in terms of expertise and resources” following the close of Marsh’s acquisition of JLT.
Questgates announces restructuring plans
Questgates is restructuring its business into four operating divisions, citing the need to “remain innovative.”
Beazley profits halve as it feels nat cat impact
Beazley saw profits fall 55% last year owing to the continuing affect of natural catastrophe claims on underwriting margins.
HDI Global appoints Claire McDonald as UK MD
HDI Global has appointed Claire McDonald as managing director of its UK and Ireland operations.
LSM takes on Ironshore renewals to spur European growth
Liberty Specialty Markets has entered into a renewal rights agreement with Ironshore Europe to take on its European non-merger & acquisition business and staff.