June 2008/1

Benfield has confirmed a tie-up with Michael Cash that sees it invest $50mn in a fund managed by the former RenaissanceRe executive focussing on the collateralised catastrophe reinsurance and insurance linked securities (ILS) markets.

London market brokers have been "named and shamed" over their failure to adopt a key electronic initiative that could speed up the payment of premiums from brokers to (re)insurers.

Tensions are brewing between Lloyd’s underwriting supremo Rolf Tolle and at least two managing agents over demands for more performance management data as the market heads deeper into the soft cycle, The Insurance Insider has learnt.

With almost $1bn of cat bond capital issued in May and another $500mn+ in the pipeline, the market is buoyant once again after the slow start to 2008

Former Quanta Syndicate among targets as Bermudian continues search for Lloyd's platform

The protracted saga of Cooper Gay's acquisition of Heath Lambert's wholesale units was finally completed as The Insurance Insider went to press with the transfer of some of the up-for-sale operations to the expanding (re)insurance broker.

Reinsurers seek to actively manage cat risk in capital markets as 2008's US windstorm season begins

Trio of brokers approach traditional and collateralised capacity as official hurricane season begins on 1 June

Our monthly column keeping a check on recent US and EU legislative and regulatory developments, in association with Sidley Austin LLP

Turner named new FSA chairman; Blight leaves Canopius; Creagh-Coen joins Lancashire; Outsourcing delay hits Marsh; FSA invites feedback on regulatory transparency; Gallagher London new MD; Principle secures retakaful cover

Guy Carp appoints new Americas chief; Quake to cost Chinese insurers $43mn; Aon receives Saudi approval; EC welcomes subscription market response; Munich Re receives Brazil approval; Swiss Re warns on reserves; Monolines' further losses

The Association of Run-off Companies (ARC) has called upon expertise from across the industry to judge its Awards for Excellence in Legacy Management this year.