The Department for Transport (DfT) has published encouraging statistics on UK road accident casualties for 2008. The number of people killed on Britain’s roads fell by 14%, from 2,946 in 2007 to 2,538 last year. In total there were just under 231,000 road casualties during the year, a fall of 7%. The number of deaths [...]
LV= has appointed Simon Stevens to head up Britannia Rescue, its roadside recovery unit. Mr Stevens will be based at Britannia’s head office in Huddersfield, where he will be responsible for day-to-day management of the business and its growth strategy. He will report into LV=’s operations director, Peter Horton. Previously, Mr Dale held the post [...]
Keoghs has established two new teams within its Counter-Fraud Services unit. The law firm says it is meeting the challenges posed by growing levels of fraud and its increasing sophistication, as reflected by the 40% rise in new instructions received in the past 12 months. The new teams are specialist in nature and will work [...]
Over half of insurance firms worldwide plan to increase their capital buffer over the next 12 months, according to a new study published this week. Research by the Economist Intelligence Unit on behalf of KPMG found that 56% of insurers plan to bolster capital reserves in the next year Insurers confessed their need for extra [...]
With more than 500 festivals in the UK due to be attended by some 3 million festival-goers, festival fever is upon us. However, although the UK festival scene is enjoying rises in attendance, sadly crime is also increasing. From 2007 to 2008 crime was up 78%, making it even more imperative that those going to [...]
Towergate this week launched a new business offering insurance cover to media and events. Towergate Coverex was formed with a merger of Woodgates and Coverex International, together with some of Towergate’s existing specialisms. John Harrison, appointed as CEO, will lead a 33-strong team at the new unit. Harrison was formerly the CEO of Woodgates, an [...]
Kwik Fit Insurance has received the Best Practice in Recruitment award at The Scottish Recruitment Awards 2009. The Lanarkshire-based intermediary has been recognised for supporting diverse religions, cultures and abilities within its workforce. The firm has provided staff with a prayer room, Halal food and time off for religious festivals, while employees with disabilities have [...]
Alain Karaoglan has been named by American International Group, Inc. (AIG) as senior vice president Divestiture, effective from 29 June. Karaoglan replaces Philip Jacobs, who previously served as global tax director of AIG before becoming senior VP of Divestiture and is now moving on to another firm. Before joining AIG Karaoglan worked as MD of [...]
The collapse of Brit’s possible offer for Chaucer has resulted in radical changes to Chaucer’s board. Chief executive officer, Ewen Gilmour, is retiring this year and the firm’s chief underwriting officer, Bob Stuchbery, has taken over Mr Gilmour’s duties. Chief financial officer (CFO), Mark Graham, has stepped down with immediate effect and Chaucer finance director, [...]
XL Insurance has announced the appointment of Tracy Ann Kiffer as assistant VP and senior underwriter within the Excess Liability in its Marine & Offshore Energy (MOE) unit. She joins XL from ACE Marine, New York, and has also worked for Aon Risk Services, CNA’s marine division — Marine Office of America Company (MOAC), Jardine [...]
Paul Schiavone has been named by Zurich Financial Services Group as the firm’s new global head of Mergers and Acquisitions for Global Corporate. He will retain his post as global corporate chief underwriting officer of Directors & Officers liability and Employment Practices Liability Insurance for all countries outside North America. Schiavone, who occupies the position [...]
Brit Insurance has announced the appointment of Ian Fraser as motor fleet underwriter, effective immediately. Based in Brit’s Glasgow office, Fraser will report to Brit regional manager Andy Fitzgerald. Previously, Fraser served for 30 years at RSA where he held a variety of senior posts, most recently as senior technical motor underwriter. Fraser said he [...]
Pamplona has acquired a 7.4% stake in Chaucer, locking horns with Brit Insurance over its proposed takeover of the struggling Lloyd’s of London insurer. The London-based private equity group, financed by Russia’s Alfa Bank, said it intends to purchase a third of Chaucer’s outstanding shares. “We have bought 7.4% of the company today and we [...]
Beazley Group has announced it is bolstering its miscellaneous medical healthcare with the addition of Tom McNally. Previously McNally worked for Markel Corporation as a specialist in healthcare and products liability. Earlier in his career he spent a five year stint in retail brokerage with Johnson & Higgins and Marsh & McLennan. McNally’s appointment will [...]
Aviva is selling its Australian life assurance business to National Australia Bank, for £452 million The disposal is in line with the group’s strategy of focusing on growth in Asian markets, where it already ranks ninth in the life assurance market. Aviva Investors, the company’s Australian fund management unit, is not included in the sale [...]
An affinity partnership agreement has been signed today by Equity Direct Broking Limited (EDBL) and Santander Insurance Services UK (SISUK), part of Banco Santander. The new motor insurance policy (Santander Car Insurance) is to be aimed at Abbey customers, and offers free breakdown coverage. Abbey is one of several British banks the Spanish banking giant [...]
Businesses have been warned to prepare for flash flooding caused by this summer’s hot weather. Aviva Risk Management Solutions (ARMS) said the sweltering heatwaves predicted for the summer could lead to heavy downpours, causing sudden floods. “Although we are all enjoying warmer weather, with the predictions that this may continue throughout the summer, it is [...]
With more than a million people working from home on a regular basis, Aviva has updated its home insurance policy to cover business equipment as standard. The updated policy covers loss or damage to office furniture and equipment that is used for business purposes, such as computers, printers, filing cabinets, office chairs, photocopiers, and answer [...]
Insurance broker and risk adviser Marsh has announced the appointment of Wendie Le Vey as leader of its Public Sector business in the Southern region. She has worked for the firm for the past three years and will retain her present post as client service director for the Southern region. In addition, Le Vey brings [...]
Peter Harmer has resigned as chief executive of Aon UK to return to his homeland, Australia. Harmer, who joined Aon UK two years ago, is also quitting his position as chair of the Market Reform Group (MRG), a body set up to modernise Lloyd’s of London. With Harmer at the helm, the MRG pushed through [...]
