July 2009/1

A packed courtroom at the UK High Court last week (2 July) heard the final arguments in the three-week trial between Berkshire Hathaway's Equitas and Randall & Quilter (R&Q)-owned Brandywine.

American International Group (AIG) has continued to make steady progress on its non-core asset disposal programme over the last two months...

Hannover Re CEO Wihelm Zeller retired on 30 June as planned, after over 13 years with the company...

Swiss-domiciled reinsurer Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings has entered the race to buy in-play Bermudian cat specialist IPC Holdings, with an offer for all outstanding shares that beats the current best offer by $4.76 a share.

PartnerRe's swoop for Paris Re has served as a reminder that while global (re)insurers are trading at below book or net tangible asset values, the temptation for premium-rated peers to turn acquirer for low-priced peers...

Guy Swayne, CEO of Flagstone Réassurance Suisse - the Swiss subsidiary of Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings - will return to Bermuda to resume his role as chief underwriting officer for the reinsurer’s international team.

Bermudian reinsurer IPC Holdings has confirmed that James Bryce retired as president and CEO of the firm on 30 June. He is succeeded by John Weale, IPC's CFO, who will serve as president and interim CEO.

Catlin Group replaced departing chief finance officer Chris Stooke last week with Swiss Re's former chief investment officer Benjamin Meuli.

Everest Re Group's newly formed non-life reinsurance subsidiary, Everest Reinsurance Company Ireland Ltd (ERIL), has been given the green light...

Bermudian reinsurer PartnerRe is to acquire up-for-sale rival Paris Re in a $2bn multi-step deal that will create the world's fourth-largest pure reinsurer, based on shareholders' equity and business written.

Brit Insurance has hired former XL Capital chief processing officer Malcolm Beane as COO, effective from 21 September

Former Aviva Group executive Patrick Snowball has been appointed as CEO of struggling Australian financial services group Suncorp-Metway, effective 1 September.