Stop press...EU information gap

EU information gapEU harmonisation could erode the cost advantage that new member states currently enjoy and leave UK importers legally liable if products from these countries do not comply with EU legislation, warned Marsh. It said recent research from EuroChambers found that only 10% of companies in the new EU states were fully informed about the EU legislation that will affect their business.

AIG names FrenkelJacob Frenkel has been named a vice chairman of AIG, with immediate effect. Frenkel will also serve as chairman of AIG's Global Economic Strategies Group, said the company.

S&P adds Life-LinkHousehold and MMPI provider Select & Protect has added Life-Link as one of its key products.

Folgate ConnoisseurThe Folgate Partnership has launched its first mid-net-worth household product on Misys with full-cycle EDI. Misys said that although Folgate Connoisseur was available through other software houses, it was only available on full EDI through Misys.

Hampden boostJames Hampden Insurance Brokers reported net earnings of £2.6m for the year to 30 Spetember 2003, up from £1.6m in 2002. Its pretax profits almost doubled to £625,000.

RenaissanceRe upBermuda-based RenaissanceRe reported gross written premiums of $780m for the first quarter of 2004, up from $685m for the same period in 2003. Profit after tax was $170m for the first quarter, up from $151m year on year

Risk warningFollowing the announcement from local government minister Nick Raynsford that six councils and one fire brigade would have their spending capped, Alarm, the national forum for risk managers in the public sector, warned that it was vital for local authorities to manage their risks.