Insurancetimes.co.uk continues its look around the UK at the insurance and financial news making the headlines near to where you live.
In today's Birmingham Post , Midlands insurer Personal Touch Insurance (PTI), has revealed expansion plans after receiving a £2m cash injection. Dutch insurer Aegon has taken a 9.99% stake in the Solihull-based insurer. PTI director Mike Allison said: "The investment by Aegon will give us the financial strength to continue development."
Still in the Birmingham Post, and a new report has found fraud among Midland businesses is rising sharply. The KPMG report found fraud increased 11 fold to £162m from £14m last year.
Meanwhile the Newcastle Evening Chronicle reports that Richard Branson is to visit financial services firm to launch a new group for top business brains. The forum aims to support financial entrepreneurs.
In the Western Morning News today, a new forum has been established to help local firms take advantage of cheaper liability insurance. The Green forum has been set-up to give credit to "reputable" builders, who can then qualify for insurance discounts under a new government scheme.
Finally the Yorkshire Post reports that the regional director of the Institute of Directors, has been made redundant as part of a cost-cutting programme by the employers' organisation.