January 2008/4

The founder of failed Australian company HIH Insurance, Ray Williams, was released from jail last week but is still facing an inquiry into his finances.

Specialist UK broker THB Group plc has become the latest intermediary to launch an underwriting operation as it looks to develop its revenue streams at a time of softening rates.

David Batchelor, Marsh's head of Asia Pacific, is to return to the UK as CEO of its operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) as the broker's new CEO Dan Glaser continues to reshuffle his team.

RK Carvill has expanded its offering of hurricane derivatives on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and confirmed partnerships with Deutsche Bank and derivatives broker Tradition Financial Services (TFS) ahead of the 2008 hurricane season.

US giant American International Group (AIG) leads the hull cover on the British Airways jet that crash-landed at London's Heathrow Airport with more than 150 people on board last week.

Lloyd's insurer Heritage Underwriting Agency remains a target for predators despite the withdrawal of Ironshore Inc's takeover interest, which was first revealed by The Insurance Insider.

US catastrophe claims reached $6.5bn in 2007, one of the lowest figures during the past decade, according to preliminary analysis by ISO's Property Claim Services Unit (PCS).

The global credit crunch has made its mark on Aon's 2008 Political and Economic Risk Map, resulting in the US and UK flagged as countries vulnerable to slow economic growth.

UK general insurer Royal & Sun Alliance plans to open offices in key provinces across China starting this year.

Paul Karon, CEO of reinsurance intermediary Benfield’s US division, has sold more than half his stock in the company.

Nigel Roberts has joined broker Willis after leaving Aon Ltd last year.

Simon Millar, a director at troubled property services group Erinaceous, has defected to broker Lockton's real estate & construction division.