All Insurance Times articles in Issue 06-12-2007

View all stories from this issue.

  • Backchat

    It’s Orange for Bridget at the O2

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Regular readers will remember that Royal & SunAlliance’s chief executive Bridget McIntyre recently made quite an impression on Arnold Schwarzenegger, but her celebrity encounters don’t stop there.Last week, at what must surely qualify as the press junket of the year, Bridget led a team of swooning female journalists and brokers ...

  • News

    Oval makes 25th buy with South-West broker

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Oval has made its 25th acquisition – and 15th of the year – with the purchase of South-West broker Tett Hamilton.Tett Hamilton, which specialises in commercial insurance, is one of the largest brokers in the region with a turnover of £2.6m. It has two offices in Somerset and employs 45 ...

  • News

    Equity Red Star aims to grow household account

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Norwich Union chief executive Igal Mayer has defended the insurance industry in front of MPs who have accused it of trying to “backtrack” on offering cover to householders in flood-hit areas.Giving evidence to the Commons environment select committee, Mayer said the industry simply wanted to reduce the risk to an ...

  • Backchat

    Broker sets off on Sahara adventure

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Brokers are notorious for taking part in wild activities, and Tim Bell is no different.The Manchester broker, a team leader at Caunce O’Hara, is swapping Salford for the Sahara in a three-week charity car rally to Mali with his dad this month.After a charity parachute jump last year, Bell will ...

  • News

    New members’ agent lures Names from Hampden

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Alpha Insurance Analysts, soon to begin trading as the third Lloyd’s members’ agent, has poached clients worth £230m in capital from rival firm Hampden.Ex-CBS Private Capital employees James Sparrow and Emma Royds, now the top two at Alpha, have won over Names who were old clients of CBS – the ...

  • News

    Airmic names new chief

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Airmic has named John Hurrell, currently head of Marsh Risk Consulting, as its new chief executive. He will take up his post in January 2008, after retiring from Marsh.Hurrell succeeds David Gamble, who stepped down during the summer after 10 years in the role.Airmic chairman Colin Campbell said: “We said ...

  • Features

    NU chief hits back at MPs who criticised flood record

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Commons committee told that industry was trying to reduce risk to ‘acceptable level’

  • Backchat

    Santa told to belt up

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Insurers have been accused of many things over the years, but ruining Christmas has not been one of them, until now.The Halesowen and Rowley Regis Rotary Club was given an early dose of festive cheer when its insurer declared that Santa, despite the collision-avoiding properties of his beard, was at ...

  • News

    News in brief

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Claims survey revisitedA survey of London market claims brokers, first taken in 2005, is being repeated in an effort to re-address claims issues. A “significant percentage” of the Lloyd’s market capacity has signed up to revisit the issues of service quality, reputation, and current issues such as electronic claims files ...

  • News

    News in brief

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    25-year flood strategyThe ABI has called on the government to develop a 25-year strategy to manage Britain’s growing flood risk, to include an investment programme and stronger planning controls. Its report, Summer Floods 2007: Learning the Lessons, also called for improved national leadership and coordination with national targets for reducing ...

  • Features

    Opportunity knocks for brokers to clean up

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    With flood alerts now a regular occurence, brokers are well placed to take a crucial role in business continuity and disaster recovery. 2008 offers a great opportunity for brokers to become trusted business advisors in this area. Caroline Jordan reports

  • Features

    What does the future hold for brokers and insurers?

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    The insurance market has changed forever, according to Ernst & Young and the CII. A combination of events – soft market conditions, the availability of investment funds and an uncertain regulatory environment – are combining to accelerate the scale and pace of changes in distribution in the SME market, according ...

  • News

    THB set to buy PWS business

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    THB is set to acquire the Lloyd’s broking business of PWS International and the overseas interests of the PWS group.The two companies are in negotiations in the hope of reaching a deal by the end of the year. Acquisition terms are yet to be agreed and due diligence is being ...

  • News

    China insurer buys into Fortis

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Chinese insurers have made further inroads into the European market after the country’s second largest life insurer, Ping An, paid $2.7bn (£1.3bn) for a 4.2% stake in Fortis Group.The move sees Ping An become a leading shareholder in the banking and insurance colossus. It follows the announcement by China’s largest ...

  • News

    Decision time as FSA calls crunch meeting on commission disclosure

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    The insurance industry is braced for a decision on whether commission disclosure will be made mandatory next week, with the FSA calling major players in for a crunch meeting and its consultants preparing to publish their findings.Biba and IIB officials are among industry representatives invited to a briefing on commission ...

  • News

    RBSI unveils restructuring changes

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Move is said to create growth and stop its brands from competing against one another

  • News

    New Marsh chief ponders MGA model

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Former AIG UK boss returns to revive growth at broking giant by reducing complexity

  • News

    Shares continue to feel sub-prime heat

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Despite experts’ predictions that London-based insurers are likely to escape heavy claims from sub-prime exposure in the US, fears among investors have led to falls in insurers’ share prices in recent weeks.Volatility will continue, analysts say, as the fallout from the crisis plays out.Brit Insurance has been hit hardest, with ...

  • News

    Steps needed to cut UK terror threat, says Levene

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Lloyd’s chairman calls for action after report highlights home-grown terror boost

  • Comments/Letters

    How to deliver on the promise

    2007-12-05T00:00:00Z

    Michael Graham says that a joined-up approach is a must for quality customer service