Bright chip off the old block
Bright chip off the old block
Independent Insurance has promoted James Bright, son of chief executive Michael, to underwriting manager of the company's international division.
James Bright will have responsibility for France, Spain and Malta. France and Spain recorded underwriting losses for 2000, with France contributing £16m of the division's £17.2m reverse and Spain £1.5m.
James Bright was previously a corporate underwriter in the same division focusing on Spain.
Down-to-earth business
David Horton, underwriter of the US property treaty account at Terra Nova Insurance, is leaving the company to take up a position in Lloyd's.
Terra Nova's property treaty business will continue to be handled by Chris Devitt. Sue Jones, Paul Wilkes and Sue Barratt will assume interim responsibility for the US account.
SHM plants new division
SHM Smith Hodgkinson has launched an insurance division specialising in valuations for plant, machinery and commercial property.
The team is led by engineer and surveyor Bob Smith and consists of three senior valuers with more than 40 years' experience.
Willis looks to the US
Willis is looking to expand business in the US, chief executive Joe Plumeri said this week.
The chief executive officer, who joined the world's third largest broker in October, wants to focus on developing trade in existing overseas offices.
The US business currently accounts for about 35% of the broker's turnover. (For further details, see the London Market focus on p22.)
Greystoke's new legend
Legal expenses insurer DAS and Greystoke Legal Services have formed a strategic partnership, in which DAS will act as the lead underwriter for Greystoke's insurance package, Lawassist.
Lawassist is already offered by around 1,500 UK law firms.
Bodyshop expands
Bodyshop repair group ABS is recruiting new members to handle the overflow of work from its existing network.
A new secondary network of about 125 members will complement its 110-strong main network.
Main members are shareholders in the organisation. Secondary members will not be given shares, but will be able to access ABS training initiatives.
NSG database
National Salvage Group (NSG) has launched a database that it hopes will put a stop to car-ringing scams.
Details of more than 500,000 vehicles that have been written off in accidents are stored and constantly updated.
The police, insurance companies and NSG members will have instant access to the records.
Training forum at the CII
The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) is holding a training forum on how brokers and insurers can share best practice. The event on May 10 at the CII's Aldermanbury office in London includes lectures from CII director-general Dr Sandy Scott and Derek Wanless, chairman of the Financial Services National Training Organisation.
Know your risk
Only half of local authorities have a written risk management strategy, a new survey by the District Audit and the Association of Local Authority Risk Managers (Alarm) has revealed. It also showed that three-quarters of authorities did not have formal processes to advise elected members of the risk management implications of their decisions.
Use potential
Berkeley Alexander is offering free training on how to maximise revenue from the home, income and mortgage protection markets. The company is hosting a series of seminars covering issues such as utilising the potential of client contacts and the implications of GISC. The training is available to all brokers and IFAs free of charge.