Global insurance broker Willis Group Holdings plc has announced the appointment of Tim Wright as the chief executive officer of Willis International, the business unit which caters to the firm’s retail clients around the globe outside North America, the United Kingdom and Ireland. He joined the firm three years ago as group chief operating officer, [...]
Global insurer RSA has announced the appointment of Ian Hood to the position of group e-business director. In his new role Hood will assume responsiblity for enhancing efficiency and fostering growth across the insurer, using electronic tools and systems including direct selling capabilities and broker self servicing options. Hood has expressed his delight at being [...]
Around three million workers are likely to turn their backs on the Government’s auto-enrolment scheme, with over a quarter put off because they don’t trust the pensions industry. New research conducted by Populus for the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) suggests that one in three people will shun auto-enrolment, up from one in four [...]
Aviva is proposing to combine Aviva Ireland with Aviva UK while at the same time restructuring its European regional operations, to create a leaner cost base. Over the two years from March 2012, around 950 job losses are expected, comprising 770 roles from Aviva Ireland and 180 from Aviva Europe operations based in Ireland. According [...]
The Co-operative Insurance has commissioned new research which reveals that there’s a clear gender divide when it comes to learning to drive. Men typically take 16 hours of tuition before taking the test, with women opting for 22 hours. Women also spend more on learning how to drive, forking out £528 compared with £384 for [...]
Standard Life has announced a number of appointments to strengthen its corporate executive team, including the appointment of Jamie Jenkins to the role of head of Workplace Strategy. In addition to this, Ann Flynn has been named the new head of Corporate Marketing. Jenkins has occupied a range of senior roles within the firm’s Corporate [...]
Deeside Insurance Brokers have announced the launch of a new site, featuring eBroker for Personal Lines to drive up business. Aim4agreatquote.com required a quote and buy solution that would enable browsers to receive real-time quotes and make purchases online. Open GI’s eBroker for Personal Lines has the capacity to handle large volumes of online quotes [...]
Coface has noted a deterioration in the average strength of companies in Europe and the US and has placed on “negative watch”, or removed “positive watch” from, eight developed countries. According to the trade credit insurer, the crisis in confidence responsible for recent volatility in the financial markets has begun its spread to the real [...]
Justice Minister, Jonathan Djanogly, has relinquished his role in the crack-down on referral fees and ambulance chasing lawyers, The Daily Telegraph has reported. Mr Djanogly’s position was compromised after an investigation by the newspaper revealed that his children held shares in a legal claims firm, and his responsibilities in this area have passed to Justice [...]
Aviva has appointed Carole Jones as its London-based director of global HR strategy and organisational development. The newly-created role puts Ms Jones in charge of developing strategies for employees that will be applied across the whole of Aviva’s global business. In particular, she will focus on ensuring that the company’s HR policies and systems are [...]
Towergate Insurance has announced the appointment of James Strachan to the board as an independent non-executive director and chairman of the Group Risk and Compliance Committee. Strachan, whose appointment is contingent upon FSA approval, is presently a non-executive director of the Financial Services Authority, JPMorgan Asian Investment plc, Welsh Water Limited, Sarasin and Partners LLP, [...]
Health insurer Aviva has announced that it is enhancing its critical illness coverage with the addition of new conditions. With effect from today, new critical illness customers will be eligible for partial payments for two forms of early cancer, namely low grade prostate cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ, an early form of breast cancer, [...]
The UK’s travel sector is facing severe economic headwinds, with a 49% increase in companies suffering “critical” financial distress, compared with this time last year. According to Begbies Traynor’s latest “Red Flag Alert”, further insolvencies in the sector are inevitable. Putting aside the sharp annual rise in “critical” cases, the third quarter of 2011 saw [...]
Standard Life has come up with advice for government, employers and the insurance industry, aimed at making pension auto-enrolment a resounding success. In a new report, the firm claims that once a clear picture of the value of employer contributions and the tax advantages of auto-enrolment have been presented, 82% of workers warm up to [...]
Aviva has launched MultiCar, a motor policy aimed at families with a collection of drivers and vehicles. Husbands, wives, common-law partners and any relative living under the same roof can insure up to five cars or vans per household. Students who live away from home during term time qualify too, and Aviva MultiCar will also [...]
Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited has announced the appointment of Mario P. Vitale as co-chief executive officer of Aspen Insurance. Vitale’s appointment is effective from 1 January 2012 when John Cavoores will relinquish the position, whilst remaining an Aspen director. Vitale will retain his present responsibilities as president of Aspen US Insurance and collaborate closely with [...]
Willis has been appointed risk management advisor and placing broker for satellite operator, Inmarsat’s, new generation of satellites. The broker already has responsibility for the firm’s current in-orbit fleet and the new agreement covers the launch of broadband satellite network, Global Xpress, plus the launch of the Alphasat satellite. Using high-power Boeing 702 type satellites, [...]
As the nights draw in, Towergate Insurance has offered homeowners a range of tips to help deter burglars taking advantage of the prolonged darkness from breaking into their homes. Burglaries typically increase during this time of year, when clocks go back and nights become darker. Jonathan Walker, CEO of Towergate Insurance broking division, explained that [...]
Confederation of British Industry (CBI) director general, John Cridland, has hit out at proposed Solvency II capital requirements, calling them a two-in one hit from “Laboratoire Barnier”, in a reference to EU Commission, Michel Barnier. Speaking at the CBI’s annual dinner in London last night, Mr Cridland claimed that the major impact of Solvency II [...]
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has embraced “Shaping our Futures” as its 2012 conference and exhibition theme. The title reflects BIBA’s role in picking up the issues affecting brokers and taking the lead in driving through change in the insurance industry, with the support of its members. A busy year ahead then, as economic [...]
