August 2008/1

Paul Lumbis, the former managing director at Guy Carpenter & Co Ltd's M&A division at GC Securities Ltd is to head a new corporate finance advisory practice Atlas Partners LLP.

Allianz has a 10 percent share of the slip for the Spanair McDonnell Douglas MD-82 that crashed at Madrid airport on Wednesday, claiming 153 lives.

Aon Corporation is set to buy London-listed Benfield Group in a £844mn deal cementing the Chicago-headquartered firm's position as the world's largest reinsurance broker.

Australian insurer QBE Insurance Group saw overall profits rise after strong performance from its insurance underwriting division during the first half of 2008.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc (MMC) has announced the appointment of Vanessa Wittman as the group's new CFO, who replaces outgoing executive officer Matthew Bartley.

Benfield Group Ltd has announced a management restructure at its specialist space insurance broker International Space Brokers Inc (ISB) following the resignation of former CEO Roger Bathurst.

The former CEO of Guy Carpenter, David Spiller, has been appointed chairman of Lloyd's insurer Heritage Managing Agency plc.

Lloyd's (re)insurer Amlin plc has reported a drop of over £40mn in its post-tax profits for the first six months of the year after reporting a slump in investment income.

Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings plc (R&Q) and GLOBAL Reinsurance Company have formed a partnership for the purchase and management of non-life run-off companies in Europe.

Bermudian (re)insurer ACE Ltd leads the cover on the passenger plane that swerved off the runway in Madrid killing more than 150 people, The Insurance Insider understands.

As windstorm Fay prepares to make landfall in Florida again after initially crossing the Florida peninsula some analysts are predicting a stronger impact on its return.

Run-off specialist Enstar has completed the acquisition of failed (re)insurer Goshawk Insurance Holdings plc after securing ownership or offer acceptances for 89.4 percent of its issued shares.