January 2008/1

One of Converium Holding AG's key business partners when it attempted to fend off SCOR SE's early advances in what became a successful takeover has shaken hands with the French reinsurer over a 10-year agreement.

US insurer HCC Insurance Holdings Inc has confirmed the launch of a new wholly aligned Lloyd's syndicate to write business on behalf of its latest acquisition, Indiana-based MultiNational Underwriters (MNU).

A duo of proposed special purpose syndicates (SPS) to provide quota share reinsurance to Ark Syndicate 4020 and Hiscox Syndicate 33 respectively have gone live for the 2008 year, Insider Week can reveal.

Swiss-headquartered reinsurer Glacier Re is poised to launch a London underwriting platform later this year to write insurance business, Insider Week can reveal.

The criminal trial of four former General Re executives and an ex-American International Group (AIG) employee is set to start today (7 January) in a Connecticut court.

Marsh Inc made its second management reshuffle in a matter of months last week as new CEO Dan Glaser stamped his authority on the ailing broking giant with an organisational restructure to "improve efficiencies".

The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) has once again returned to the capital markets with a $496mn continuation of the Redwood series of cat bonds.

Recently listed UK run-off firm Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings (R&Q) has appointed ex-Wellington executive John O'Neill as chief operating officer of its UK Insurance Services Division.

Fast growing QBE is to expand its US presence after signing an agreement to acquire North Pointe Holdings Corporation for $146mn.

The new version of the German Insurance Contract Law came into force on 1 January 2008 placing more emphasis on consumer rights and information.

Commercial insurance underwriting agency APC Underwriting has signed a "unique" contract within Lloyd's, which combines property, combined liability, professional indemnity, directors' & offices' (D&O) and legal expenses.

Insurance specialists Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP (EAPD) and London-based Kendall Freeman have completed their merger.