KPMG explains The Treasury
KPMG Consulting has published a book explaining the workings of The Treasury in simple terms. "An Introduction to Treasury Management" breaks Treasury management down into eight elements: strategy, cash and liquidity, funding, bank relationship, risk management, controls, systems and reporting.

HSA scoops hospital award
HSA Healthcare has won the hospital cash plan provider award at the 1999 Health Insurance Awards.

Gateshead broker dies
Bernard Portwood, a well-known North-East broker, has died aged 70. Founder of the Gateshead firm B. Portwood & Co. in 1963, and an ex-member of the Biba motor committee, he is succeeded by his son, John.

Lowe changes job at 3 Arrows
Peter Lowe has been made national account manager for 3 Arrows, which deals with non-fault accident insurance.

Jackson slams weak leadership
Mayor of London hopeful Glenda Jackson MP has blamed the lack of a single government for the city in the past decade for increasing the social risks managed by local authorities. Speaking at a meeting of the Association of Local Authority Risk Managers, Jackson said councils had been caught in a policy vacuum, created by weak government. "The result has been the growth in barriers faced by those in most need and an increase in the social risks that have to be managed by London's local authorities," she said. Jackson concluded by saying the role of the Mayor would allow the Greater London Authority to develop a holistic programme.

Beazley takes web site award
Specialist Lloyd's Syndicate Beazley has won a Best Insurance Company Web Site award from international reinsurance broker, RK Carvill. The broker assessed web sites on criteria including visual appeal, quality of information, graphics and, response times .

CGU tackles Northern crime
CGU is to lead an initiative targeting retail crime in North-East England. The insurer will host a debate on the issue at Sunderland FC's Stadium of Light on November 9, with around 250 shopkeepers, police and town centre managers present. "In order to get new initiatives up and running, there is nothing better than local discussions between all those interested in crime reduction," said Johnny Thomson, CGU's business crime check manager.

Call centres likely to grow
A survey by Dataquest has shown that growth of the UK call centre marketplace is likely to continue. Among the study's key findings were: there will be 257,90 call centre agent positions by 2002/3 (up from 162,600 in 1997/8, and there will be 6,366 call centres in 2002/3 (up from 4,200 last year).

Customer loyalty is key
Royal Mail is advising brokers they need to build customer loyalty to grow their businesses. Royal Mail says that 67% of customers change supplier due to lack of contact, and that 60% of customers are likely to stay with companies that stay in contact.

Corporate governance
A survey of risk managers attending the Federation of European Risk Management Associations Forum in Berlin, claimed corporate governance is becoming increasingly important in gaining corporate advantage and shareholder value. Other findings revealed: German, Dutch and British business have the strongest awareness of corporate governance issues; and financial institutions and the media industry are ahead in terms of corporate risk-management practices.

RIAS hits the 250,000 mark
Poole-based specialist insurer Retirement Insurance Advisory Service (RIAS) has hit the 250,000 policyholder mark, just five years after the company opened its first offices. Managing director David Holden said: "To have reached this milestone shows that RIAS has consolidated its role as a key insurance provider to people aged over 55."

SRSUA gets a web presence
Special Risk Services Underwriting Agency (SRSUA) has launched a web site at address www.srsua.com. The site includes detailed product information on warranty & indemnity insurance and pension trustee liability insurance. The warranty & indemnity insurance information has been translated into French, German and Spanish for the benefit of international clients and contacts.

On-line firms integrate slowly
On-line businesses are proving slow to join the next cyber revolution which involves integrating their entire operation through the internet, according to service provider ICL. The computer giant finds business is lagging behind consumers in using new internet technologies, such as interactive TV, internet games consoles, and mobile phones which can link to the internet. While most companies offer on-line services, few have woken up to the use of non-personal computer channels. ICL chief executive Keith Wood said multi-channel distribution will drive e-commerce in the next few years.

ECGD council member quits
Minister for Trade Richard Caborn has accepted the resignation of an Export Guarantees Advisory Department (ECGD) council member because of a potential conflict of interest with her business interests. The ECGD said Lesley Knox tendered her resignation following a misunderstanding over the disclosure of her directorships. The ECGD, which underwrites bank loans to enable overseas buyers to purchase capital and project related goods from Britain, said she had "taken great pains" to avoid any conflict of interest. She was appointed to the council in March 1998. She had previously submitted her resignation in March this year because of time constraints which prevented her from attending meetings but had agreed to remain on at the ECGD's request.

Bollington relocation
Following expansion at the company, The Bollington Group has relocated its corporate risks division to additional premises close to the firm's head office. Bollington Group has also expanded its motor trade call centre recruiting five new members of staff. The corporate risks transfer has enabled Bollington also to extend its motor trade call centre.

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