January 2015/4

The European Central Bank (ECB)'s decision to launch EUR1.1trn of asset purchases over the next 18 months has been described as "bad news" for insurers' investment portfolios by asset managers.

Simon Higginson, the former Willis executive director who was sued by the broker for allegedly receiving "secret commissions", was also arrested last year on suspicion of fraud, The Insurance Insider understands.

Juno a storm's coming?; Carpenter for Flood; Casey leaves BNP Paribas; Thaler through; China change; Bumsted passes away; Catastrophe fund; Micro men; Quindell in talk; A+ for FM Global; Reuben for Allied World; Vamos a la Laya; BMS's Bustillo; Howden Binding cargo; PaCRe perusal; Third Point minus 2 points

Major US excess and surplus lines insurer Ironshore is now unlikely to press ahead with its planned flotation on the New York Stock Exchange until the second half of the year, The Insurance Insider can reveal.

Apollo Global Management, the multi-strategy investment heavyweight, is close to acquiring Chaucer's $300mn UK motor book and has hired the former Giles CEO Brendan McManus to lead the venture, The Insurance Insider can reveal.

The infamous Brood II cicada of Northeast America lives most of its life as a nymph underground, munching happily on the roots of trees.

The nil-premium structure of the deal agreed between Axis and PartnerRe leaves both parties open to rival takeover approaches that could destabilise or destroy the proposed transaction.