January 2008/3

The US did not "dodge a bullet" in the 2007 hurricane season, by escaping with minor damage from the landfall of Hurricanes Dean and Felix, according to risk modelling firm AIR Worldwide Corporation (AIR).

Trading Risk, the new publication from the publishers of The Insurance Insider and Insider Week, launches tomorrow (15 January).

UK executives have been warned about the impact US plea bargains could have on indemnity and directors’ and officers’ (D&O) insurance.

Recently merged New York law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP has opened an office in Dubai, with a primary focus on corporate finance.

Lloyd's (re)insurer RJ Kiln & Co has strengthened its international network of marine and cargo business with the acquisition of The International Marine (Underwriting Agency) Limited (IMUA).

Reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter is to set up an office to capitalise on the growing central and eastern European market.

Bermudian corporate asbestos liability risk reinsurer St George Re is set to begin trading offering US companies protection against asbestos claims, the company confirmed.

Former General Re senior vice president Richard Napier has lifted the lid on the allegedly sham finite reinsurance deal with American International Group.

Ex-Heath Lambert executive Hugh Champion has taken up his new post as director of rival broker RFIB Group Ltd, after leaving the up-for-sale broker last year.

Run-off (re)insurer Alea Group Holdings has agreed to "fully and finally" commute all exposures under an excess-of-loss reinsurance treaty which will see the firm record a net loss of around $8.8mn in the 2007 fourth quarter.

Aon Corporation has made another significant US construction hire from rival Willis with the appointment of Mary Ann Krautheim as national client strategy officer.

Angus Simpson has resigned as managing director of London market broker Glencairn Ltd after 10 years at the firm.